RAVEN, LOST IN VEGAS & THE MORE I SEE
THE UNDERWORLD, CAMDEN - 08/10/08
It has to be said, I was really disappointed by the turnout tonight, and it’s always a bad sign when the “other entrance” is open instead of the main entrance at the underworld club, little or no promotion for this show in the press just goes to prove a point. However, the die hard fans sure knew that something was going on!
Late additions to the bill is Gizz Butt’s newest band ‘The More I See’ , whilst being a fan of this band, it was nice to see them play again in a short period of time from their last outing (See the live review from September on this very website). Once again, providing their own equipment and back line, the sound was good as can be, crystal clear mix from start to finish, although sometimes Chad Sunderland’s vocals were lost in the overall mix at the front of the stage, but then I was right next to a guitar monitor. As mentioned earlier, there was a very sparse crowd on the floor area, with the remainder of the venues attendees deciding to stay around the bar area. This however did not phase the band who put on a stellar professional show, very tight and in your face whilst having fun. Spike Smith’s drumming is relentless and quick changeovers of drumsticks for cymbol work kept him on his toes. Chad’s stage presence is also different from the last show I saw. It was good to see more movement and general crowd interaction, beckoning people to come forward, whilst proving what a strong vocalist he is. Tracks like ‘The Unholy Feast’, ‘What Is Worse than the Truth’ and the awesome ‘Bloodline’ makes for good listening and the relentless fretboard shredding is always a pleasure to watch.
www.myspace.com/themoreisee
www.themoreisee.com/v3/
‘Lost In Vegas’ are a young band from Tamworth, and were lucky enough to have been supporting ‘Raven’ on their entire UK tour. A strange choice of support act, however, as the crowd enters the floor area prior to them plugging in, I am assuming that they are known and have their fans with them. It’s only when they start playing that I notice it was shear curiosity, as the fans rapidly retreat to the bar area leaving the band playing to maybe a handful of people. Unfortunately to my ears I just did not like their alternative/emo-ish approach. Have a listen for yourself though on their myspace site.
www.myspace.com/lostinvegasuk
The ‘Raven’ lunatics are on top form tonight, a rabid crowd greets them with sheer joy and alcoholic chivalry. This is indeed a rare live show for these lads from Newcastle who indeed were instrumental in the whole British metal scene from 1980. John Gallagher (Bass + Vocals) and brother Mark Gallagher (Guitars) run out onto stage and truly live up to their reputation for “athletic rock”, these guys don’t stand still and the enthusiasm is amazing. It was a strange sight to see John using a head-microphone, but then he would not be able to run around if he used a standard mic and stand! Opening tracks ‘Take Control’ is a screaming rendition of proper British metal, whilst acting like rampant teenagers it was interesting to see both John and Mark engaging in guitar duelling, literally crossing each others fretboards with each other towards the end of the song, much like a Jimi Hendrix show. The crowd participation starts when the classic “All for One” is played, the crowd reacting perfectly to their professional competent live performance. A track from their forthcoming album ‘Walk Through Fire’ is played (Track name: ‘Breaking You Down’), and if this is anything to go by, the album will be bloody fantastic. John Gallagher announces that it his birthday and later in the evening Mark on guitar recites the happy birthday song to his brother. A guitar and bass solo remind you of the gig going of the 1980’s, this is the first time I have seen a bass utilising a full tremelo system and a distorted sound much like that which Cliff Burton used to play with on ‘Pulling Teeth’. ‘Rock Until You Drop’, ‘Crash Bang Wallop’ and the expected highlight ‘Break the Chain’ make for a perfect end to the set. However, the encores still remained in the form of cover versions/medleys of amongst others ‘Sweet Caroline’ (Status Quo), ‘I Don’t Need No Doctor’ (WASP) and ‘Symptom of the Universe’ (Black Sabbath). It’s a bit of a shame as ‘Raven’ have enough of their own back catalogue at their disposal, but hey. Closing track ‘I Don’t Need Your Money’ (their first ever 7 inch single) gives the “raven-lunatics” (the fans) a perfect end to a high energy gig that doesn’t happen that often, those who were there were seeing something special with all the “larger” sized t-shirts selling out in a matter of minutes.
www.ravenlunatics.com/
www.myspace.com/ravenlunatics
Paul Maddison
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