ACCEPT & ELIMINATION –
ISLINGTON ACADEMY - 26/05/2010
Somewhat worrying sights were bestowed upon me as I enter this entertainment venue; where are the fans? I was really sure it would be busy, but as we all know, folks tend to be apathetic to support bands nowadays whilst preferring cheaper pub prices or even cheaper street/supermarket prices, but that aside Essex lads ELIMINATION battle forward, and are greeted with an ever swelling audience as the watering holes appear to run out of favour. I still get the impression (and confirmed by some of my peers tonight) that this band float between traditional metal genres and a touch of thrash, it would appear their direction is not yet planted, but we get a great choice of tunes whilst they work things out. Coming along much further in stage presence, Elimination are becoming a welcomed household name on the live circuit. Sporting tunes like ‘Nostromo,’ ‘Straight to Hell’ and the title track ‘Destroyed by Creation’ from their outstanding new debut album (buy it!) ensure that the crowd are fist raising and yelling for their metal. The melody in this title track tune does present many similarities with Iced Earth’s ‘The Coming Curse’ and their rampant Judas Priest worship is a sign of good things to come. It is just a shame the band get shafted with a crap bass heavy sound, otherwise, a good warm up set.
Tonight was all about the German legends ACCEPT gracing the UK stage once more. By conversations with various metal heads, some folks had not seen this band since a period between 1984-1986. I myself witnessed a 60+ thousand crowd a Wacken one year, though I never got the appreciation of how willing these chaps are to entertain at close hand. This is the good thing about club gigs, you get ever so close to your bands and the atmosphere is even more special (better than being miles away in a muddy field). Now swelling, the crowd erupt when ‘Metal Heart’ opens the show. The sing along continues into the chorus and I am struck by how pleased the whole band look by the crowd reaction; surprised in a good way, beaming from ear to ear. With a set list longer than most short stories, there was going to be some metal tonight. All the favourites come out like ‘Restless & Wild,’ ‘London Leather Boys’ (very appropriate!) and ‘Up to the Limit’. I do get bored mid way through with bass solos and guitar solos, then a metal-classical rendition comes out of nowhere, pushing their luck me thinks, but I only know the tune Mekong Delta did in their version (‘The Sabre Dance’). New track ‘The Abyss’ goes down a storm and the band thank the crowd in return with an appreciative look of joy, well it was a damn fine tune.
A fist pumping ‘I’m A Rebel’, the obligatory ‘Fast As A Shark’ and the legendary ‘Balls to the Wall’ close the show with a perfect encore choice. For the latter, Andy Sneap (their producer – and Sabbat legend) joins them on guitar on stage and the band have a ball, as do the fans. One thing I have to say, no matter how good Udo is, the new vocalist Mark Tornillo is a bloody amazing showman and thoroughly suited for Accept; it feels like there is new life in the band, and a cohesive metal magic experience for yours truly. Whetted by fellow peers opinions of their new album (a pre gig listening session had taken place apparently) due out in September, that better be on your shopping list as it is on mine! As I left the venue, I am struck with glee (not the shit TV program), but the thought that this was probably one of the best gigs of the year thus far; a welcomed return to London for ACCEPT, may they follow their rumours and do a full UK tour after their album release. ACCEPT do indeed throw your balls to the wall; heavy metal legends in their own right, proving tonight they are on top of their game.
Paul Maddison
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