Bat Sabbath, O2 Academy, Birmingham - review

Last night saw Ontario punks Cancer Bats playing a full Black Sabbath covers set in their namesake’s birthplace, as part of their debut UK headline tour under the Bat Sabbath moniker.

Opening the show were Birmingham mathcore band Dead Hands and Doncaster rockers The Temple.

Taking to the stage to Immigrant Song, lead vocalist Liam Cormier donned a long black cloak looking out at the full O2 Academy room before breaking into Children of the Grave. It’s Supernaught that picks up the pace and sets the tone for the evening. A fast paced and energetic covers set, paying tribute to one of founding bands of heavy metal.

Paranoid, War Pigs, Iron Man and Black Sabbath were all featured with an energy and passion proving why Cancer Bats are one of the most revered live bands in the live environment. A stunning version of N.I.B bought the main section to a conclusion, before the band returned to the stage asking the crowd whether they would like to hear some Cancer Bats songs. And of course, there was no question about that.

The second that the opening riff of Hail Destroyer hit the crowd’s ears, the crowd went nuts and this energy maintained for the band’s four song encore consisting of Hail Destroyer, Road Sick, Lucifer’s Rocking Chair and Bricks & Mortar.

For a band that had done an extensive tour of the UK last year with no new material in the meantime, this Bat Sabbath tour was a great way for the band to have another tour as soon as this has come. But in reality there’s no need for such an excuse, with Cancer Bats proving time and time again to be one of the strongest live outfits to come out of the alternative scene.