Hell Is For Heroes, O2 Institute, Birmingham - review
It has been 15 years since Hell Is For Heroes released their debut album The Neon Handshake, and last night, fans in Birmingham were treated to a live rendition of this record in full.
First up to warm the crowds at the O2 Institute were Aldershot quintet Vex Red, with their dark and brooding mix of hard rock and electronic interludes.
Despite playing to a small crowd, in a steadily-filling room, the band turned a lukewarm reception into a blazing one.
"I'm the vocalist of the next band, and I'm here to welcome our next band, we can't get anyone else to do this job," joked A vocalist Jason Perry, and set the tone for the next support act.
Treating fans to hits that have spanned their nearly 20 year career, A delivered a fun set that continued the party that Vex Red started.
Joining the pop punk quartet was McFly bassist Dougie Poynter, replacing former-member and DJ, Daniel P. Carter. The 30-year-old musician breathed new life into the outfit, moving constantly across the stage and channelling heaps of passion into each song he played.
Ending on smash hit single Nothing, A left the stage - and the crowd - on a visible high.
Striking white lights cut through the dark room to reveal five bodies, with their backs to the crowd - Hell Is For Heroes were here, and ready to take Birmingham by storm.
"We've waited a long time to play this tour for you Birmingham," bellowed vocalist Justin Schlosberg.
"A lot has happened since this album was released - lots of love, life, death - and we're here to create new memories with you."
From the first notes of Five Kids Go to the last chords of Retreat, Hell Is For Heroes were whirlwind of energy. If he wasn't cartwheeling across the stage, or jumping from on top of the drum kit, Justin was leaping into the crowd, or simply dancing on the spot, to keep the momentum of the show alive.
The crowd mimicked this raw energy, to create a truly unforgettable, raw atmosphere. Through hits such as I Can Climb Mountains and You Drove Me To It, there was not a stationary body in the whole room, as the audience danced, moshed, and screamed the iconic choruses into the air.
Despite The Neon Handshake being released 15 years ago, the London quintet still played the album with the same passion and precision that they always have. Each drum beat and bass line shook the venue's walls; each guitar riff pounded at the crowd's ear drums; with raw and visceral vocals cutting through the instrumentals, to create a truly hair-raising performance.
Following the band's performance of The Neon Handshake in full, Hell Is For Heroes treated fans to a few choice singles, that spanned their varied career. From One of Us to Folded Paper Figures, and a cover of The Cure's popular hit Boys Don't Cry, the group enticed the crowd into one last display of raucous energy in a spell-binding encore.
As the band waved Birmingham goodbye, it was clear that not one fan wanted them to leave, and are certainly eagerly-awaiting the band's return.
