A Day To Remember - Common Courtesy ALBUM review 2013

      

Released	October 8, 2013
Recorded	May 14, 2012 – March 18, 2013, Jeremy McKinnon's home studio, Ocala, Florida
Genre	Metalcore,[1] pop punk[2][3]
Length	53:11
Label	Self-released
Producer	Jeremy McKinnon, Andrew Wade,Chad Gilber Rating

The five piece American pop punk/ alternative hardcore band from Ocala called A Day To Remember have kept true to their word and released a brand new album to mark the firth from their studio albums. Waiting a good three years for them to do so, many ADTR fans have been patient with this, but when release dates were heard they couldn't have panicked enough, trying to pre-order the album, listen to it on the live steam (ADTR'S website) or just get a copy somehow.
Judging from previous albums, the band had a lot to uphold with the huge success from "What Separates Me from You" and "Homesick " the band have to now explore new themes as well as revisit old ones, for their fans to have a whole new experiences on this brand new album. Working on it for a while now, ADTR fans have been lucky enough to hear two odd songs from the album, which got released a couple of months before, also plaid for the first time live at gigs. "Violence" was one of songs which already created a huge popularity among existing and new fans, this was also played for the first time Live at a special gig in Camden at the KoKo, which I had attended to. Hearing the song live as well as on record, I knew that this album had a lot more from where that came from, making me even more exited for its release.

Common Courtesy steps aside from the bands usual self and mixes it up a bit, as we have a hybrid of mixed genres already happening in each song. But for ADTR, they have taken into account of good consideration of what the fans want and added two, beautifully composed acoustic songs "I'm already gone" and "I Surrender". This then juxtaposes with their harder hitting songs, causing a clash with the new post-hardcore vibe they are sending with "Violence (Enough Is Enough)"  and "Dead and Buried." As well as having these two opposing genres, the pure pop punk and vibrant rock sound of ADTR is still presented throughout the album, giving it such a fresh and diverse sounding as whole, the way in which it is structured links altogether, making it one of their strongest by far. This is also the reason I am in love with it so much and honestly can not get enough of it, as it is more than just a one genre band, but something which is suited for almost every  mood.

Now what do you guys actually think of the songs involved?

Starting the album off with a song close to home called "
Cityof Ocala"already takes you to their hometown and what they are about, with its fast paced drum beats, keeping the bouncing beat in your heart alive, creating a resistance to feel yourself jump up and down. The song is basically about where the band came from and previous memories in which they have shared there, recalling from the past to the present, presenting their journye as a band and how far they have progressed, without forgetting where they came from. The upbeat, punkness to the song reminds us of their older work from previous albums, perfectly accompanying the heavy guitar riffs, with the right softness, yet the edge of Jeremy's voice to tone the song in perfect shape. The breakdown then recalls a nostalgic feel, with the echoing sounds of "I'm right back it again" before ending in a worn out, extended guitar note.

Ironically this is then followed up with "Right Back at It Again" , which almost confuses us as the starting of the song emerges with he previous one, carrying on the note but picking up with the heaver beats, introducing the new hardcore genre into the song. The original 4/4 drum beat again reminds us of their roots along side the harmonic voice of Jeremy who produces softer, punk vocals, screaming at us in a less harsh tone. Beautifully combined together, the fast pace of the drums, floats perfectly along with the simple bass line and energetic guitar solo, creating a happy and home feeling atmosphere whilst listening to it. Taking us swiftly into a marked difference of the next song bringing in a heavier metalcore sound, we hear Jeremy scream in his violent voice for the verses of this song, whilst this then interchanges with softer vocals for the pr-chorus and chorus. Still keeping the bouncing, moshing vibe, the song takes on a more harder sound, as this emerges their oldest work, combined it with their modern music for all to enjoy. Catchy lyrics and beats are easy to pick up in this song as it is filled with many repetitive lines that get stuck in your head, and you find yourself repeating them all day long. The breakdown however in this song changes things a little, taking it slower, in a more declarative tone, shouting out their thoughts and personal feelings, firing pure passion out to the listener, instantly connecting with the mood.

Following this metalcore theme, "Dead and Buried" tackles this perfectly, by going right in for the weighted hardcore intro tempo of twos repeating over and over until this then returns to the 4/4 beat of the chorus, mixing its genre slightly with McKinnon's clean vocals ending in a scream, switching back to this heavy beat curving the songs journey with mixed emotions and aggression, again using the bridge for a hardcore breakdown making room for a moshpit to explode before it reaches it ultimate peak of the song ending in the same way it started.
Keeping this uplifting pressure, the band take on the basic pop punk themes, also lyrically taking a more slower but still energetic, anger response whilst it hits the chorus at full power. Tackling similar problems in which the pop punk genre sing about, ADTR have slightly adapted this to their song, making it their own and typical of them, producing fans to agree heavily with what they have done.
Again using repetitive lyrics, sticking in your head, you will find yourself shouting them back out your mouth right at the computer screen as you sing along unconsciously.

Completely changing the troposphere of the previous five songs, we are now presented with an acoustic. "I'm already gone" proves to be my favorite song off the album easily as it is the most emotional and heart warming. Starting off with the soft strums of the acoustic guitar, sending you into a dream trances of your past, the song really takes you back to your own personal, sad memories. Jeremy's voice hits the song 20 seconds in, making your ears twinkle with his beautiful harmonic tone, sending them therapy as it revives your mind. The chorus is the part which really gets you, first time listening to it, it got me almost shredding a tear, as lyrically it has a lot of meaning and negative connotations, making you question your own personal experiences, bring up bad or pleasant memories along. I can relate to a lot of what is being sung in this song, as it describes a current, easy, relatable mindset in which all teenagers who listen to the band will understand. The pure soft vocals, harmonies perfectly at peak points in the song, highlighting the stresses of these words, yet beautifully following along the basic acoustic beat of the guitars. Conducting such a beautiful, yet heartbreaking song is hard to do, and easy to get wrong, but ADTR have had no struggles in doing this as they have produced something far beyond normal talent. The stern structure of the bridge, pushes you in finding your willpower and remembrance of why things have changed and for the best, keeping you back on your feet, reminding you that everything's alright. Towards the end of the song you will find yourself more at ease, in a cheerful, happier mood, ending on a good note. Allowing you to travel on a short journey of memory lane in just one song, bringing up certain emotions and dreadful memories but then picking you back up and putting you in your current mind set is monumental. The composure and thought gone into this song, is honestly so deep that it brings a whole new journey to the album.

Smacking you out of this mood completely comes with "Violence (Enough Is Enough)" , as the next song shows the progress in ADTR's new metalcore, hardcore stage, proving to be the heaviest song in the whole album. Gradually getting you ready for this whole new level, it hits you right in the face, attacking you directly with its long intro but also hardcore vocals from Jeremy screaming "VIOLENCE, GIVE ME VIOLENCE".
Inside you will find yourself exploding in a full arm-swinging, mosh-pit mood, moving the fuck around the existing space you have causing havoc. The song definitely will get the crowd going at a full rampage, connecting with the anger management music, causing violence. All the way through the song right till the bridge the song upholds its metalcore theme, proving true to its original state at the middle song in the album, this is where all the tension is stressed.
Linked with the two stepping beat "Life @ 11" flows with this with a twist in guitar rhythm and vocals. We are now returned to the pop-punkness of the bands tune, yet still upholding the urge to move around and scream the lyrics right back, the song gives us a soft break from what the album so far has produced yet still allowing time for us to get right into the song. The clean, instrumental bridge makes room for all of this to happen, before Jeremy reminds us of its intentions to get us clapping along its catchy beat, ending in a neutral state.

Before ending off with a total head banging breakdown, the band takes us back to a brief acoustic of "I Surrender." However this one proves to me more focused on keeping the high spirits alive rather than deep emotional meaning. More quirky mixes of the acoustic guitar are intertwined with another electric feel, bringing the high pitched vocals and drums back into the song, changing its settings slightly. The song may start of to be sweat, but it carry's through, picking up new elements while still keeping the sweet vibe alive, ADTR put a twist on this, making i more upbeat and lively for their fans to bounce to. Gradually building up tension along the bridge right into the main chorus-ending of the song.
Which takes us into the next song, setting us up for a heavy pace already with the tension in the drums and static guitar noise, before Jeremy comes in with a full front of heavy vocals, producing another heavy hardcore song to tilt the album. The song it's self is short in length with just enough volume go get us into relaxed state for "End of me" which builds up its tension once again. Starting off with the soft strums of the acoustic guitar, playing its sweet, repetitive melody over and over again the song tricks us into what it is about. The soft slow, vocals of Jeremy are submerged into the song, with the build up of layers, taking us into a much heavier, but kept to the same pace of the original opening, rather than giving it a completely change.
Taking you in a dream like trance, the song gives you an opportunity to put your hands up and sway from side to side, along with it's beat, reflecting your thoughts to the song and focus on Jeremy. Here is another song where you feel yourself reflecting on yourself and the past, it makes you think a little, as "I'm already gone" had, this song does it in a similar way, taking your dopamine levels down a touch, focusing on negative memories really connecting with the lyrics of the song.

Feet stomping tempos mixed with the heading bopping movement, ties in perfectly with the next song, as it revives all your energy back and you find yourself moving along to its melody. When it comes to the breakdown, we find our self back to the familiarity of what was previously voiced in its metalcore sounding, bringing a truly amazing breakdown back into the album before it's all finished. ADTR composed the structure of this album and song carefully as it all comes into effects with each other, balancing one another out, keeping the audience entertained but also taking them on a journey which is presented in the last song "I remember." Now this song does what the first one did, it almost  takes us back in a cyclic pattern as the meaning is hinted in its name. Again the band have finished their journey, and started to reflect on their success over the years and turned it into a song. The pure, happy and tranquil vibe of this song allows the listener to feel at ease and finally like they have accomplished many things in their life, reflecting on all the positive, nostalgic moments which have made them who they are today. It continuously talks about past memories, which is a key theme throughout this album, recalling how we once felt, putting us now in that same feeling.
The bridge in this song, takes a slightly different route as to repeating the chorus of the song in a slower, highlighted pace, bringing it back to the full energetic, path as a way of ending the whole album and song in full thought pleasure. As you finish the album you will find yourself sat there thinking, "Where I've been" and then also thinking, I either need to do more with my life, or I'm happy with what I've done so far as I've accomplished something. Another nice ending to it is the little commentary which sits at the end as it soon fades into voices of the band, talking about certain memories they have had together. Covering how their band life started, how they tour around beautiful cities, stuck on the motor way, troubles, funny stories, reminiscing memories in which has taken them to be ADTR and what they have been through. I think it's final little touches like this which actually separates a normal studio album to what is something even more, as I feel this album has done that completely in the most mind blowing way. I can honestly say that I love it that much, I would give it a 1000000/10 on every single element possible.

Thank you A Day To Remember for giving us something which was worth the wait, and can't wait to see you guys perform this on the tour in February.

Your Demise FAREWELL TOUR 2014

Your demise have been a band now for four years and to mark the end of the firth year, they have decided to go down with a massive farewell tour in a few places around the UK. Announcing their break up earlier this year, the post-hardcore band from St Albans officially are parting ways right after they do a special tour around the world for last minute fans to catch them in the action before it's all over. (Break up video)
Being a big fan of the band and loving their music for a number of years, the news hit me harder than I expected as recently around that time a number of other bands had announced their departure to the music world and taken a break or officially split up like, Madina Lake and Bowling for soup. It's always sad when a band breaks up, especially when they have played such a curtail and important part in your life, helping you cope through difficult situations or brightening your mood on a rainy day, bands are always there to change that.

One thing was for sure though, they would leave us all with a tour to remember them by. Previously I have seen Your Demise play three times in the past two years and they have all been brilliant in performance wise and also vocals. Edd is a stage warrior, bouncing around in his little shorts, stage diving every so often into the crowd, making sure that everyone was having the time of their life.

Your Demise are playing not one but, TWO dates in London at the underworld Camden which is a tiny venue, guaranteeing that chaos will occur, cramming 300 hundred your demise fans under one small worn out roof. I was fortunate enough to get tickets for both dates of this tour, excited as for each date a different support act would be performing.

TODAY was the day in which they all got announced, after waiting months and months, the cat was right out of the bag and London had an even bigger surprise.

Seeings as YD had two days of supports to filled, I figured they wouldn't be as strong as the other dates, however I was competly wrong.
For the Friday we have:

Marmozets

Palm Reader 

Heights

CROOKS

These four bands are relatively in the same hardcore/ post-hardcore genre to Your Demise, making them the perfect bands to support. 

First up w toe have Crooks who have just appeared on the YOUNG BLOG radar as they are a fresh, new hardcore band from the UK who are currently touring with Malory Knox and other bands, making there way to the top. They are the sort of band who will have you griped on just one song as that's all it took for me to get into their music style, siding me to their music straight away. Next up we have Marmozets which are slightly different and have a cleaner, softer intake on the genre as I would class them more alternative than hardcore as such, nevertheless they seem like a good band to open up for Demise.

Then we have Palm Reader who I have actually seen live before in June, at the Peel in Kingston proving to live up to their genre of being full of action and live.

Lastly Heights, who also formed at a similar time to Your Demise, will bring the final touch just before the headliners take to the stage. Also previously seeing them live before, I know what to expect and can imagine that they will be bringing quite a storm to the underworld for this date.

Then for the last date (SATURDAY) we have:

Broken Teeth

TRC

LANDSCAPES

Brutality Will Prevail 

Now in my opinion this line up sucks balls on all the rest as we have some of the finest hardcore bands from the UK playing for a special gig. The Saturday is like no other ordinary gig as it is the last one your demise will actually play EVER in the UK so, obviously they'd have to make it a good one. The two bands I am mostly looking forward to see are TRC and BWP, as already seeing Landscapes and thinking they were average on sounding and performance, I had yet to see if the rumors of the other two were as real as everyone was making them out to be. Just four months away until this mindblowing tour kicks off, and I will be back to update you on how it went. But what do you think about this news and do you like the supports or not? 

I want your feedback, so just drop a comment or email me at: isha-s@hotmail.co.uk

Basement - I Wish I Could Stay Here Album review

Basement - I Wish I Could Stay Here
Release date: July 5th, 2011
Record label: Run For Cover Records
Rating: 

Basements first studio album released in late 2011 called (I Wish I Could Stay Here )

Sad to say that the band basement have split up before I actually got into them. The band officially announced their split with a last show in November 2012, I however had only really heard of them shortly after.
A local band from Ipswich, England, they are formed by five members in the early year of 2009, who class their music as progressive rock, emo, grunge, post-hardcore, punk rock which is a hybrid of genres all merged together to form them.

I wish I would stay here is a 10 tracked album, which express what their EP's show but in a more extended, full version. A lot of people would say that the original sounding of Basement in fact is just a copycat of the 90's emo music, however I feel the main reason why they got me so hooked and griped on them was more to the fact that they were such a hybrid band of modern and old music, combined together to make what seems to be a fresh and direct energetic band in which a modern audience could easily listen to and not get bored of.

Now the first song to open up this album is "Fading" which really sets them up for high standards, straight away we are pushed forward in the heavy drum diving manic in which the riffs are played over a thick bass line before we get a mixture of harmony's from Andrew Fisher (vocalist). This energetic, lively music is pumped throughout the song, repeating the catchy tempo proving their hard rock sound to us as a mixture of sounds.
Already we are allowing yourself to understand their lyrical abilities and what they are singing about. This is not that inspiring at all nor will the lyrics make you think and question life, but they are a band who are relate able. Basement sing about the dark, emotional topics in which the youth of their audiences are already or have experienced, it is this reason in why they are so successful with their target demographic, because they understand them. If you cut open a teenagers brain and take a look inside, what basement are signing about, you will probably find in their, as they talk about vulnerability and how messed up we all really are.

"Canada Square" takes on a more deep and delayed path to what was previously witnessed, another song like this is "Early Grey" which gives you the soft emo, calmness, numbing you in a trance with it, despite all of this the vocals throughout still remain passionate with the punk sounding explosions. The importance of instrumental music goes along with Basements themes, as the slow pace, drags you down a bit into a new mindset, where you find yourself hooked on the tiny chords of the guitar which are presented mainly in "Ellipses".This soft song eases us into the album as it's pretty easy to pick up on and also rather catchy in beat as a lot of it is repetitive.

"Planned to be surprised" which picks up a much heavy punk feel to it with the double beat from the drums but also matches with the faster more stretched voice bursting with passion  of Andrew Fisher. The upbeat yet soul sounding of the band is present as basement give off a sad depressive feel but their music almost tricks us as we are feeling energetic yet relational to it, bouncing to each drum beat as the four chord guitar riff is repeated. The simpleness of this song again shows the bands uniqueness to take the same music yet turn it into something different each time, making the whole feel and atmosphere compelled together. 

Again taking us back to a much delayed sound with the drained down drum beat along the heavy bass line which plays an important part to this punk, grunge song as the guitars are now turned to a less energetic feel matching the vocals which appear drowned out in a saddened numb voice, before all closes to a pause and the fast tempo of punk is back and everything changes as the emotions of the lead singers are now emerged with the instruments making his anger thudding to the song.
Returning with the next song which plays a slow guitar rift that seems to be repeating it's self over and over again, before the basic beat of the drum comes into playing matching this slow and swaying intro, almost sending you into a trance. But before this lets you completely zone out the ending of Ellipis picks up with the hectic cluster of drum beats with the key change waking you fully up.

As this draws to an end we find the typical punk beat in which you find yourself two stepping along to and finger pointing as the vocals reach out to you, "please save me from myself" a desperate cry out to help before again drawing to a close with the cluster of sounds coming to a halt. 

Another common pattern basement have within this album is using full start and repairs, as this  happen throughout the song, feeling it starts again and again. 

The last song to this album is "March" which kicks in with its heavy intro, intertwined with the rich vocals that moan out along with the tempo structure. Ending the album with he lyrics "No more waiting for you" drawing it to a perfect end. Basement are the sort of band who need to carry on with music like this for their fans as well as the topics in which they explore as I have found them to be very useful in certain moods.
Definitely a band who shouldn't have broken up, but at least they made their mark out their with the two albums they did produce.

Track listing:
1. Fading
2. Plan To Be Surprised
3. Canada Square
4. Crickets Throw Their Voices
5. Earl Grey
6. Ellipses
7. Every Single Word
8. Yoke
9. Grayscale
10. March

Last Witness LAST SHOW @ Camden Underworld 19/10/13

The five piece metalcore band from London, Last Witness announced their breakup a while back, but before they wen't down in flames, they had to light the fire somehow, and what better way of doing that then a final goodbye show at Camden's finest
hardcore venue, The Underworld. Starting out in 2006, the band have been going for some time and just feel that it's the end for them as achieving much more than they set out to do, the band can now say that they have accomplished their goals.

Living in the same hometown as they band, they really couldn't say goodbye without doing a last show in their very home, so when they announced they would in mid October, many fans from outside of London awaited to get tickets as they soon sold out within a few days.
The support for this last every show was equally as spectacular than before, More Than Life and Breaking Point. Two well known bands amonst the audience, the show seemed promising to be grand after all.

The show started at the earlier time of 6pm, awaiting for the venue to fill with crowds of people, as the first band, Rough Hands took to the stage at 6:30. For the first supporting bands, there wasn't a large crowd, however with Witness they seemed to be pulling all the right people. As the usual pit which is formed at the back or middle, now took place in a semi-circular format right at the front, clearing its path for all the HxC dancers to go mental in.  Moving on to Prowler, who drew in a few more people, with their heavy hardcore based vocals and repetitive beating of the drums, two guys got really into the music, swinging their arms everywhere, creating a two man pit right at the front, whilst the vast majority of the room stood in a soft movement towards them, appreciating their music. The next band to come on were Breaking Point, who had caused up a storm outside the venue and also inside. As they took  to the stage at 7:45, (an early start) they got the whole crowd moving this time. Never before have I seen anything quite like it at a gig before. Masses of people crowded the balcony's and the back floor of the venue, while the front was open wide for anyone to mosh in. The way that the crowd immediately got involved as soon as the band started playing with such enthusiasm and passion painted all over their faces, really did show the build up of this tension would follow when Witness come to play.

Taking us directly into the pure hardcore music, breaking point proved to be popular with the crowd, as the bit got bigger and more and more people joined, expressing their love for the music through a unique way of dancing. At this point, people were flying all over the place, going absolutely mental, and you got the usual three men who started the pit, keeping a good eye on everyone else, making sure it was relatively safe. Another thing I like about these gigs are that there is a sense of community when you're on the floor moshing to a band, because everyone around you has that same love for the music you also love. In a way you are sharing that one interest with them through music, as when one person falls over, you simple stop what you're doing and help them up. It's something I've seen a lot and something which also makes me feel somewhat safe in a 'dangerous' environment.

Following up this hectic performance was the last supporting band before Witness, More Than Life who took to the stage at 8:30, giving just enough time for everyone to catch their breath before another bit of action. Even more fans had now moved from the stairs down to the pit on the floor, making it even bigger, squashing everyone tightly together in union to their music. Again pulling the hardcore, fast pace music right into everyone's ear drums, they are jumped around in a similar pattern as before, but this time with far more energy and passion, passing the mic out to the crowd as everyone jumped to it, screaming back the next set of lyrics. The atmosphere was truly marvelous, as everyone was focused on the music playing, having a good time than anything else, the crowd was overpopulated with males to the odd female, once again showing the dedication of fans who had traveled from far distances to be at their last show tonight.

Time passed on as 9:30 came around and, Last Witness were all set up and ready to play for the last time ever as a band in Camden. The build up was emotional as the large gap at the front soon began to fill, until the whole floor which once had gaps in, was now filled to the brim with people all closely, standing together, ready for Last Witness to perform their final set ever.
The whole scene changed, as hundreds of heads were now covering the floor, all upfront and close to the stage, ready for intro to start playing before they could all lose their shit.
All the finger points came out, along with one guy at the back trying to start a one man circle pit on his own, going insanely mental, running from one end to the other, bashing everyone in his way. Last Witness, arrived on stage and got right into the music, the heavy, fast tempo of their music set up the scene while Theo, (vocalist) stepped in with his hard filled metalcore vocals.

By now everyone was trying to salvage their way to the front of the stage, diving, crowd surfing their way right up, as the front of the floor, now was covered in people on top of other people, trying to get on stage or grab the mic of Theo, going mental. It was such a great atmosphere as you could tell, from the back everyone was moshing along to the beat, starting their own pits amongst each other in all areas. "Saccharine" came into play, with its doubled heavy riffs along with its catchy static guitar chorus, matching the stretched out screams coming from Theo, proved to be the song to get everyone up and moving, as it was only the third one in, everyone was already covered in sweat and looked worn out, thus proving evidence of a good night.

Even the other bands who had played and were watching from the balcony seemed to be getting right into the music, as they finger pointed and head banged along with the music, shouting the lyrics right back at the band in a mirrored pattern throughout the night. The night was nearly at an end as Witness got into the last part half of their 12 set-listed song, already on "Snakes and Ladders" the band had pulled off one hell of a night. Still the crowd remained in high spirits, moshing away, trying to dive off the stage, into the crowd then back again in a cyclic structure, never ending. I would say that seeing the crowd from above, it defiantly was a great one, one of the best I had ever seen, and especially for their last show, they pulled in a great one to go down with. Theo then took a few breaks to thank all the other bands who had played, and talked a bit about their last ever show, wanting the crowd to lose what was left of them for the final time, a great response came from us as the cheering and aggression shown in each ones face, proven to answer his question.

From there the night took a more hardcore level for a gig as at one point everyone got on the stage, filling it with sweaty, screaming fans all in support of Witness's last show, having their final chance to grab the mic and sing right into it, exploding all their emotions on stage sharing this immense experiences with everyone else. Theo was passing the mic all around the floor for many different voices to sing into it, screaming their part when it got to them, whilst pushing forth crowd surfers over their heads, multitasking was in need here.
"Less than Zero" began to play, as Theo ran about the stage, diving into the crowd at times, getting absorbed by thousands of hands, yet still bouncing back finishing the last few songs, the night was nearly over but that didn't affect their performance as it was still live as ever, Sending their drips of sweat all over each other, covered in Witness's last outbreak. This song proved to one of my favorites and also one which caused a big storm with the crowd.

It was so hard to tell what was going on exactly, as crowd surfers were surfing on other crowd surfers, blurring the crowd to be one big mosh pile of people floating in the air, moving around at a rapid speed, over and over again, along with the people at the back pushing right forth creating full tension.
Second to last song and Theo had grabbed the mic back again to thank everyone for coming down, and how great the night had been so far, and how no one wished it would end, but it had to but they weren't done just yet. Witness had one last song to play for this manic crowd to finally go wild to.

 
Everyone's hands shot right in the air, pointing towards the band, whilst divers tried to topple over them in their last and final attempt before being pushed right back to the front and repeating the process all over again. The night was at its all time highest, as the crow was begging for more and more, enjoying the final song they would ever perform as a band. The look on everyone face showed that they had lived the fuck out of their bodies that night and were sad it was coming to an end, however they were more than relieved that it ended so well, true hardcore style. Right before the final breakdown, about 10 people got on stage and all dived off at the same time, causing total chaios before the dimming of the lights faded along with the band. No encore, no more songs, this is the end.

I was so privileged enough to be one of the last people viewing Last Witness's last ever show, and fuck glad I was there. Truly one of the best gigs and nights I had ever been to, not just because it was their last, but also because of their dedicated fans, with such passion and emotion they took into the venue and poured it all out into their last set. Sad it's all over, but it has to come to an end one day, and Witness certainly went out with a night to remember.
Overall I would give this gig a rating of 10/10 on just everything. Despite taking a back seat at the gig I still managed to enjoy myself, as the crowds reaction reflected back on me.

letlive. @ Camden Electric ballroom 17/10/13

The american post-hardcore band from Los Angeles, California set out to Europe to do a headline tour for many of their fans who had much appreciated it. Now letlive. have been in the UK a couple of times and also played in Camden before, but never as a headliner, so for them  this tour was a major deal in their progress of becoming a soupier band.
This being my first time even seeing the band, I didn't know what to expect but madness, letlive. are one of my favorite bands and also one that I had dreamed about seeing
g live, based on their energetic music which alters and changes throughout each song. Just imagining see all of that power on stage in front of a crowd of letlive. fans seemed like a perfect way to spend my Thursday night.
London being the last date of the tour, I knew that all shit would get lose and this gig would be blown to the max, where everything the band had planed would explode with the crowd, causing an insane gig.

Judging by the queue of letlive. fans outside the venue, proved my suspicions right, as you usually get a lot of fan girls, or posers or even people who don't even know who's playing, but not this time. Everyone was dressed in either letlive merch or similar band t shirts, excited as I was to get in and finally see them.
There first support band "Night Verses" demonstrated their brilliant and unique sound first up as the whole band wasted no time in getting straight into the music, bouncing around the stage, pelting their music, clearing enjoying them self. The crowd however seemed a bit more leanient towards them and found them self moving slowly with a push of adrenaline, building up for letlive next. Personally I did find them as a suitable support to open up letlive. as they knew their target audience and got right into the music, showing off with high screamed vocals and heavy drum beats, going absolutely mental on stage. Even if the crowd wasn't moving much, their music made you feel as though you were, it was that hard hitting.

Now normally you would expect to see another two or three support acts, however the band who was supposed to be supporting "The American Scene" pulled out just before the last date was set. This was a great disappointment to me as I had wanted to see them live properly, but to my dismay they didn't show, despite all of that, It still didn't seem to bother much people or even make that much of an impact as the main reason everyone was there was for letlive. and this just meant that their set could be longer and enjoyed further.

The clock just turned 9:30 the lights began to dim, queuing the crowd to start cheering, awaiting the band to finally appear on stage, yet being letlive they had a different opening style up their sleeve, making the audience wait a good three minutes whilst another song played until they bounced on stage, greeted my the roars of ecstatic fans.
As soon as Jason's leg hit the floor, the faint found of "Banshee" came into play (their latest single from the new album) the whole crowd new imminently what was going to happen next. Everyone who had been standing still had now moved towards the middle, finger pointing and moshing towards the song as I found myself doing the same. One of their most popular songs from the album, everyone new all the words, chanting it back as Jason went absolutely mental, directing his hands towards each person involving them, as a man from the stage, dived into the crowd pulling the true hardcore atmosphere of what a gig should be like.
The music fitted in perfectly to start with as it was at the right tempo to get everyone moving and up, ready for the next song which was "H. Ledger" where Jason now got right at the front of the barriers, in touching distance to the crowd before diving right in, being lifted up by band hands surfing throughout the rest of the song, causing havoc then aplogising to the crowd if he hit anyone like a true gentleman.

To match the previous song, the band matched this with another from their latest album, causing high guitar rifts to intertwine with the moshing and screaming of the crowd, as "Dreamer's Disease" began to kick in, everyone gave each other enough space to moshing around in their little zone, connecting with the song before coming together for the breakdown. This then returned with Jason talking to us about the next song being a cover from Black Flag called "Fix me" where everyone completely lost their shit to this old punk rock beat, before returning back to the softer pace of letlive. the night had seemed to gone on forever but it was only the firth song, as everyone seemed to still be full of energy and getting emotional involved with the songs as Jason told the crowd stories about his previous life and the troubles he had overcame, and how music had helped him. Every single pair of eyes fell in the same saddened and apathetic way towards him showing their support and understanding in what he had gone through but also relating this to themselves. Nonetheless this sadness didn't stop anyone from having a good time as "Enemises [Enemigos]" came into play whilst everyone soft moshed along before the breakdown came into play and the room started to split, allowing room for a pit to start up. All hands rose into the air, moving along to each word Jason sang, full of power and emotion as the instrumental rhythm began to repeat and repeat, allowing the swaying of bodies, moving in perfect sync.

This all then got wildly interrupted with the follow up song which was exploding with the hardcore, punk based energy in movement with the instruments, creating a hectic, mosh pit environment. The whole floor had turned into a battle ground as everyone moved form one side to the other, destroying everything in their path along with the music going  decisively mad into the next song which infused with a similar beat.
It was about half way through the set by now, and the night seemed to had flown by as everyone didn't want it to be over but only a couple of songs were left to play.

As soon as "Younger" kicked in the room started to separate again, forming a giant pit for everyone to mosh in, completely breaking out, the atmosphere at a perfect temperature as sweat poured everywhere warming up the room with many fans screaming along with the rustic sound of Jason's vocals.
Again, he took a pause in between the songs to talk about another experience he had had, the next song was "Pheromone Cvlt" which was special to him, as it was about a love experience he had once had, the way in which he told the story through a series of short sentences, pausing, taking deep breaths then asking rhetorical questions in which we all answered inside our minds, relating his experiences to ours producing the
most effective, silence possible before the beginning of the started up and the crowd swarmed to the front, supporting Jason. It was such a magical experience as everyone's lips moved in perfect sync with Jason s, repetitively over and over again until the song drew to an end. This was then reduced by the next song which played straight after, pulling a more positive and vibrant atmosphere back into the gig, causing the pit to form even more brutal than before, as people were flying in all directions.

All seemed to be going in high spirits until Jason, one again took a break from signing and reached out into the crowd. He began by thanking everyone who came down to the gig, shaking hands with the front row of the crowd, thanking the venue, the supporting bands and even the security guards, proving that he was entirely grateful to be playing up on that stage, which was something you hardly get at gigs, but the phrase "Thank you" could have been said more times that night as he truly did mean it with all his heart. It was time again for another little story taken from Jason's own personal life, as well are all familiar with the song "Muther" and what It means. He began circling the stage, and with this terrifying, hard hitting story about his childhood and how much his mother meant to him, the whole crowd fell silent with his mesmerizing story, and every single person in that room took it in, deeply connection with their own past personal experiences, feeling the same pain Jason had let out as he began to tear up and cry. It was heartbreaking to see, the band getting so involved in their music that they start to show a bit of vulnerability, and remind us that they're just like us, normal human beings with the same life events and feelings we all have.
I could even feel the tension building as everyone awaited for him to finish before asking us to sing along with him so his mother in Glasgow could hear us all, passing the mic out to the crowd so everyone's beautiful voice could be heard over his.

This song wasn't like the others, it was more about the lyrical meaning and connecting with it, each person doing this in their own way along with the music until it was over, where everyone fell silence, waiting for the breakdown where the two lines were repeated over and over again, "DON'T YOU CRY MAMA WE'LL, WE'LL BE OK." ending the song, with everyone in union, before it got interrupted by wild screams from the fans.

The night was drawing to a close and letlive. announced their last song for the nigh "Day 54" which was my all time favorite one, again because of its lyrical meaning and passion sung throughout. This is where everyone just got together and went mad when the chorus kicked in, as the middle and back of the venue completely parted with kids moshing and dancing all over the place getting straight into the music, screaming right form their lungs. This was definitely one of the best songs performed on the night in my opinion as it was just filled with so much energy and passion, it made you want to move continuously.
ending in "This is goodbye" the band left the stage, just as the crowd began to chant for an encore, and one more song to play which encouraged letlive. to return with not just one, but three more songs to end the last
 date of the tour. Starting of with  "Le Prolouge", also starting up the massive pit that formed the floor, this time covering its entire space, as everyone got right into making use of all the space available, moshing it out as it was their final time to before the night was over. The diverseness of this song, switched to a softer troposphere as the screams intertwined with the soft clean vocals in which Jason gave to the crowd, mixing up the original soul punk genre with hardcore, making a hybrid setting.

Ending the night with "Renegade 86'" which proved to be lifting and upbeat which got the crowd bouncing in beat with the bass and guitar chords, shaking the whole floor, creating multiple vibrations that filled the room. A this point all the wild crowd surfers got their last chances, in getting up and trying to grab the mic of Jason and joining him on stage as this caused havoc among the crowd as almost everyone wanted to be lifted up into the air and surfed along the many letlive. hands right on stage before the song had ended and the stage disappeared into black emptiness.

Letlive. had played a mammoth 17 song set, which filled the night with surprises, making it into the top 10 best gigs I had been to, again a band who knows how to put on a performance and make their crowd fully interactive with them, Jason has been known for his energetic, live and outrageous performances and he had proven these stereotypes of him from climbing the speakers, breaking the lights, smashing the amps on stage causing total havoc amongst the crowd, but also joined by Jeff who completely smashed up his guitar by the end of the last song, before chucking it out into the crowd to keep as a souvenir.
Defiantly had the best time at that gig and look forward to see them return back to the UK for another headline tour as this one proved more than successful, letlive. reached the highest marks for me and are a solid 10/10 live.