Review: Twin Atlantic Belfast



13-4-12  http://www.stereoboard.com/content/view/171919/9

It’s always good to see local support on the bill when touring bands come to town but the evening’s first band couldn’t have been farther from local. ME, a Melbourne quartet, kicked off proceedings with an excellent set. With a hugely varied set some songs could be placed alongside the likes of Muse with piercing vocals and spacey guitars, while others had the infectious kick of more contemporary rock. Highlight of the set, ‘Westward Backwards,’ involved lead singer Luke taking Michael’s bass guitar while the bassist thumped a drum, creating a phenomenal layering of instruments and effects to cap off an exhilarating opening performance.

 ME were followed by local heavy weights Axis Of who could have a run in with a steamroller wielding a wrecking ball and still come out on top. It’s more noise than a three piece should be able to make but they carry it off with aplomb. Unlike ME, Axis Of really get the crowd going with chanting and their on stage energy is replicated by the young crowd with mosh pits and emphatic arm thrusting. ‘Port Na Spaniagh’ highlights a typically raucous set and sets the mood nicely for the headliners.

Fresh off the back of an American tour, Twin Atlantic take to the Mandela Hall in Queen’s University’s Students Union. Front man Sam McTrusty has said that they always like to play as loud as possible in any venue. This was no understatement. From the first explosion of drum and bass in ‘Yes I Was Drunk’ a wall of noise emanated from the Glasgow quartet. The sheer volume really made the heavier sections that bit more effective, but at times the melodic lead guitar riffs of Barry McKenna were lost under the cacophony created by Craig Kneale on drums and Ross McNae on drums. This was irrelevant to an adoring Belfast crowd who sang and screamed every lyric while, at the same time, jumping with equal vigour. Every track bar one was played off their two albums to date, Vivarium and Free, with the biggest cheers going to ‘Lightspeed’ and the evening’s closing song, ‘Free.’ The band illustrated their versatility as McTrusty, armed only with an acoustic guitar, gave an excellent stripped back rendition of ‘You’re Turning Into John Wayne,’ before being joined by McKenna on cello for ‘Crash Land.’ 

Throughout, McTrusty was the consummate showman, challenging one half of the audience to be louder than the other and joking with the crowd, despite the launching of a 50p coin in his direction. The band played a brand new song which, according to McTrusty might not even be on their next release, but if the crowd reaction was anything to go by, Twin Atlantic would be crazy not to include it. The band leaves the stage to fading strobe lights and feedback after an emphatic return to Belfast. The Beast of a Tour carries on back to Scotland and England before the band support Blink 182 this summer. Blink should really get practicing; based on tonight’s performance these guys just might steal their thunder!

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