TEMPLE OF ONE….This high energetic 3 piece making their live debut, although before hand admitting they were nervous need not have worried as spurred on by a healthy sized crowd their punky touches infused with a classic rock sound brought out the best in everyone. House of Cards opens the set up and gives us all a insight as to where the group are going musically with front man “Colin Parkinson” having a clean set of pipes and good stage presence. “Time” and “Song of hope” were stand out moments in this very entertaining and briskly played set with plenty of nice melodies spread out over the 8 songs performed.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXPTglQbBmY&w=560&h=315]COLLATERAL, Anyone who has read my previous reviews over the last year will think I sound like a stuck record when it comes to COLLATERAL, because all I ever do is praise this band until I am blue in the face. Finally people are starting to stand up and take notice of this talented and smart outfit. Tonight was simply the best I have ever seen them, every time they seem to raise the bar when it comes to the standard they want to deliver to their fans that have paid good money to see them. “BIG SHOT” with its heavy slab of Bass from Jack Bentley Smith is matched by Ben Atkinson who seems to be a man on a mission tonight attacking the drums for all its worth, proving why the rhythm section is the back bone to any hard rock/metal band. Like a crack from a firing gun lead singer Angelo Tristan commands the stage like he owns it encouraging the gathered masses to sing along, clap along, dance along and if that is not enough to float your boat then guitarist Todd Winger every inch the performer and shred master general make for a formidable outfit. Placed earlier in the set tonight as the second song is the Planet Rock Radio friendly “MIDNIGHT QUEEN” which has fast become the stand out track in the bands short career, delivered with backing vocals provided by roughly 300 people. The set tonight was sprinkled with songs from the EP 4 shots and some material from the soon to be released first album, with “MERRY GO ROUND” being full of bottom end and crunching in its delivery. Not content with one song being picked up by radio but new song “Lullaby” is now being blasted out across the nation on the radio waves and what a way to finish the set with the band all in good spirits and just easing over the finish line. There are so many little things about this band that adds up and makes the complete picture from Angelo,s use of the acoustic guitar to the enjoyment playing the songs and more importantly the standard of song writing.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6Tv0Bt6obU&w=560&h=315]Hea liners tonight are the kick ass “DAXX & ROXANE a band that I was not very familiar with but a band that I intend to catch live as many times as possible !! This 4 piece group originating from beautiful Switzerland but now based in London hit the stage and refuse to draw breath until they walk off. With vocals / bass provided by Cedric Pfister and in the same vein as the late BON SCOTT this band produce the swagger and the boogie to match “TICKET TO ROCK” and the manic sounding “GIRL NEXT DOOR” fueled by the twin guitars of Cal Wymann and Simon Golaz race along at break neck speed and for the first timer like myself was totally captivating and enjoyable. A rocked up cover of SUPERSTITION”by STEVIE WONDER was a fun light hearted moment along with a quick blast through of “JUMPING JACK FLASH” by the STONES. If your idea of a fun night out with a few beers and some high energy rock n roll then they don’t come much better than DAXX & ROXANE a group that had to follow 2 great bands and completed the task comfortably.
A great evenings entertainment from 3 outfits all different in their own way but all great value for money. On a sad note it was a topic of conversation between the people present regarding the sad announcement that this iconic venue will be closing its doors for the final time in the coming months. Without these venues the bands playing tonight just cant spread the word. I just hope that they can relocate the venue somewhere else in the City and I along with everyone else wish all the staff good wishes and best of luck with future employment.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHZmhsz8des&w=560&h=315]Review by Steve Bruty for metalplanetmusic
Photography by Darren Smith for metalplanetmusic
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