Artist: August Burns Red
Support: Veil of Maya and The Devil Wears Prada
Venue: London, Camden Electric Ballroom
Date: 23/10/2012
For a mid week metal show in one of Camden’s larger venues it’s a delight to see the place so packed out especially when openers Whitechapel sadly pulled out last month. Taking their place are Chicago based band Veil of Maya. Whitechapel were hotly anticipated on the grounds of the success surrounding their latest album so it’s a hard space for Veil of Maya to have to fill. Lead singer Brendon Butler’s deep growls are so inaudible that it’s hard to know if he’s singing or not. While his American accent seems to change every time he opens his mouth to speak. On record the band are a solid act but tonight their live set just sadly doesn’t match up.
Fortunately the rest of tonight’s music takes a shift in the completely opposite direction. The Devil Wears Prada have been over to the UK quite a few times already and their fan base is out in full swing. Sadly their first track is a bit of a write off as it seems either their sound guy fell asleep or Mike Hranica just couldn’t hear himself. Fortunately after the opener the band find their feet, the vocals are switched up a notch and they continue to rock out the now packed venue. The bassline roaring from Andy Trick’s bass has the floors shaking and everybody’s hearts beating ten to the dozen. In comparison to their latest live album ‘Dead & Alive’ Mike’s voice tonight is on top form as he blasts out every top note and every scream perfectly. With every beat the pits in the venue spread open and the crowd go crazy. Tonight is perfect testament that years of relentless touring has paid off for The Devil Wears Prada as the UK love them!
August Burns Red step onstage to Bob Sinclair’s ‘Everybody Scream’ and despite the change in genre the crowd goes mental as they all dream and scream along: it seems August Burns Red got their desired effect with this song. As the band blast into their first song the pits explode: which includes a raving guy in a gorilla suit! Any doubts fans may have had about this band headlining a venue this size were blasted out of the water tonight. Every single expectation was surpassed and blown into thousands of tiny pieces. The band are on fire with flawless breakdowns heavy enough to make the average person want to break down and cry. Alongside deep melodic yet raw screams all executed to perfection. Lead singer Jake Luhrs swings his mic lead like a lunatic and takes charge of the entire room with his spot on crowd interaction and powerful voice. As the bands set draws to a sad close the crowd is left breathless, battered and literally begging for more. Tonight’s show could not have gone better for August Burns Red. Let’s hope next time is just as amazing!
9/10
Reviewer: Rhian Westbury
Photographer: Graham Berry
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