You know your career is on track when you sell out one of Camden’s most infamous venues like its a walk in the park. Canadian four-piece Three Days Grace did just that. Its been a hefty ten years since the band stepped out onto a stage in London, and in that time a lot has happened in their camp. From the Barfly in 2004 to the Electric Ballroom in 2014, the guys have replaced their frontman, released three albums, and well, not spent much time in the UK. But tonight it all changed, and for good.
Cumbrian trio Colt 45 held the role of opening the night, and being the only act to do so. No pressure then. With nerves clearly upon them, the band didn’t hold back right from the get go. With Rise Against rasp vocals and an undertone of guitar work synonymous to Biffy Clyro, the three-piece certainly aimed to hook the audience in. Their fusion of legendary sound influence was made complete with an overall The Menzingers rock style as they took the stage with confidence. Each song oozed riff, after riff, after riff, and the crowd responded with animated praise. Their heated, no nonsense attitude fired us up as rhythm and tone won over any anxious energy they had.
As Rage Against The Machine blared from the speakers, the atmosphere was rife with excitement in a packed out Electric Ballroom. When the lights finally went down and the quartet made way to the stage, an enormous greeting met them. Material across the board filtered into the crowd, with favourites ‘Just Like You’, ‘Animal I Have Become’ and ‘Pain’ all making an appearance. In fact, the entirety of the set were Three Days Grace hits. This was to be expected though, and we had no complaints.
Not only was this a night where the majority of the crowd were seeing Three Days Grace for the first time, but seeing in the flesh the new line-up, including new frontman Matt Walst. His welcome by fans was unprecedented, and he responded with vocal chords on point and abundant with talent. This came into handy too when a random cover of Limp Bizkit’s ‘Break Stuff’ made its way into the 18-song stronghold. Not that we minded though as fans opened mosh pits galore in its presence. From killer riffs to insane drum solos, it was the comeback of all comebacks.
