The Word Alive are no strangers to Camden Town. Having stopped by the district on a number of the past UK tours, they are back at the Underworld for the penultimate show of the #getREAL tour. There’s evidently something they like about the place, confirmed by their decision to film tonight’s show, although the overall purpose of the footage is unclear. But before a second of their performance is captured, there’s the small matter of the hand-picked support acts to get through.
Up first are Birmingham’s Oceans Ate Alaska. From the off, it’s clear that they less established than all of their Fearless Records label mates, but they still manage to do a solid job in flying the flag for British metalcore.
Like Moths To Flames take no prisoners as they explode onto the claustrophobic stage, though. Smashing in with ‘The Worst In Me’ and leaving ‘You Won’t Be Missed’ as a legacy, it’s crazy to think that, after such chaotic crowd interaction, there’s two more acts still to follow.
Chicago’s The Color Morale need half their set to reach fifth gear, however. Opener ‘Burn Victims’ doesn’t have the same blistering effect of its recorded equivalent, and vocalist Garret Rapp continually shows signs of wear and tear. The Underworld facilities can be unforgiving at times, and The Color Morale don’t seem to have enough in their tank to compensate.
Despite the venue appearing half-empty, there is a real atmosphere building for tonight’s headliner. The all-Fearless, blockbuster support line-up may have attracted a few extras, but the vast majority have spent the evening waiting patiently for the Arizonians to erupt into ‘Broken Circuit’.
In the mood to move, the loyal crowd are treated to the heavier side of The Word Alive. Barring the flagship single, ‘Lighthouse’, they ride with the likes of ‘Glass Castle’ and ‘Terminal’ from Real, and stay true to their roots by calling on ‘The Hounds of Anubis’ and ‘The Wretched’ mid-set. Tonight is the clearly the time and the place to unleash, and credit to the band for realising that, having previously faced pockets of criticism for venturing down a softer, more radio-friendly route on record.
Let’s hope the footage surfaces in the near future because tonight is a night both band and fans will gladly revisit.
