Following brutal performances from supporting acts Blackhole and Rolo Tomassi, it was only a matter of minutes before the adrenaline fuelled audience got what they paid for. The lights went out, the orchestra of strings started and the crowd went crazy; it was Gallows turn to put on an incredible show.
Opening the set with the new single “The Vulture (Act II)”, the hardcore punk band sings out with more attitude than a spoilt 15-year-old. With a grey union jack hanging behind them, it was clear that the band had a dark and depressing message to deliver; our country has let us down.
The Watford based band’s frontman Frank Carter has it all, passion, drive and a unique filth in his voice. He takes control of every chance he can, encouraging the audience to create some carnage.
Playing several songs from their anticipated sophomore release Grey Britain, the band hit back with bigger, harder and stronger songs than their debut release Orchestra of Wolves.
Throughout the set the 5-piece band gave off a raw and brutal performance full of distorted guitars, powerful drum beats and a ferocious set of vocals attacking from the front. Carter and co. constantly got the crowd to form circle pits during a number of highly enjoyable songs including “I Dread The Night”, “Abandon Ship” and “Just Because You Sleep Next To Me Doesn’t Mean You’re Safe”.
The other members of the band were just as vital as Frank’s vocals. The tightness of Lee Barratt’s drum beats during the punchy “Black Eyes”, the disgusting guitar and backing vocals from Stephen Carter and Laurent Barnard through the fantastic “Death Voices”, and the fullness of the bass guitar from Stuart Gill-Ross throughout their passionate song “London Is The Reason”.
It was perfectly clear to which song the crowd favoured most. The first line was sung (“so we’re alive…”) and the audience screamed back (“…in the belly of the shark”) with more vigour and fire than the frontman himself. “In the Belly of the Shark” was the definitive highlight to the set, causing outrage from the attitude-ridden fans.
Frank Carter stated “We never wanted to be a political band, but no one was saying anything, so we thought we would”, before finishing the set on a high with Grey Britain’s song “Crucif**ks”.
Words by Nicholas Coren
What Did You Think Of The Gig?
Catherine, 19, Student, Crawley
Rating: 9/10
“ I thought it was very sweaty and quite painful, in a good way”.
Barnaby Hoofer, age unknown, Brighton
Rating: 10/10
“I thought it was exactly how I thought it would be”.
Ed Jasion, 26, Nottingham
Rating: 7/10
“I thought they were much better than the last time I saw them on tour”.
John Watts, 20, Student, Eastbourne
Rating: 9/10
“I thought it was absolutely mental and fantastic”.
