As the house lights of the Manchester Academy 2 dimmed, the stage filled with dry ice. The epic instrumental intro track rang its last note, the band then emerged on stage. The crowed erupted into a passionate hell cry of anticipation and pure rock fury. Lead by Wade McNeil (Vocals and Guitar) followed by Jordan ‘Ratbeard’ Hastings (Drums), Chris Steele (Bass) and Dallas Green (Vocals and Guitar), with their backs to the crowd Chris Steele, sporting his Movember moustache, raised is hand conducting the other members into the extended version of Young Cardinals, the first single of their latest album Old Crows/ Young Cardinals. Before the last stomping drum beats and guitar chords filled the room, George Petit (Vocals) joined the band on stage to break in to song and feed the crowds aching appetite.
George’s rough and vicious new vocal style shakes the demons loose in the room, the chorus sang by Dallas, projected back towards stage by hundreds of tenacious fans. The room was bouncing and everybody was ready to have a good time.
The band must have felt it too playing five songs back to back, the crowd sang and felt every word and note. Taking a well deserved rest and engaging the crowd needing a pause as much as the band by this point. Hitting hard once again with Accept Crime another of track of their newest album, the crowd once again joined in from the off, belting back “Hey, There’s No Police”. The crowd then split in to two one side singing “There’s No Police” lead by George and Wade and the other “Between Two Beating Hearts” orchestrated by Chris and Dallas. A cheeky yet teeth gritting smile was exchanged between George and Wade, a “Fuck Yeah” if you will.
Playing a varied mixture of tracks from their Watch Out!, Crisis and Old Crows/ Young Cardinals albums, consisting of crowd favourites such as ‘Rough Hands’, ‘We Are The Sound’ and ‘This Could Be Anywhere In The World’. Taking time to plug their new post punk homage Dog’s Blood Ep, before the opening riff of the title track, tears through the silence, like a rabid canine foaming at the mouth. Alexisonfire’s live style is seconded to none, playing with ferocity and a unspoken kinship only found through a love of what they do and years on the road together. Deviating from the recorded format of the songs only slightly but enough to add to a heavier, more aggressive, atmospheric realm where they are kings in their own right.
The band left the stage leaving their guitars screeching on a reverb loop. The crowed began to chant “Alexis”, stomping their feet, with a thunderous raw the band headed back on stage. George controlled the masses with his masculine and powerful aura. “You know how this goes, we have two more for you”. The band broke into ‘The Northern’ based on the old Gospel record ‘Roll Jordan Roll’, the bands homage to Blues and the roots of Rock and Roll music. Jordan lead the way with a soulful drum roll and crashing cymbals. The crowd once more sang along with Dallas, raising their hands to the roof “Hallelujah, Hallelujah”, as George put his voice box through it’s paces, screaming at the crowd feeding of their energy and giving it back ten fold. The band held the last chord letting it ring though the room, before riff of ‘Accidence’ emerged, the crowd with their last change to show the band what their made of, once more began to bounce and scream at the band, “Whoa, Whoa, Whoa”. George jumped off stage climbing the barrier, screaming in to his microphone as he dove into the hoard of devoted fans, making it back on stage from the big finish at the end of the song and gig.
Alexisonfire were simply put amazing. Creating a connection with every individual in the room, even if separate by a barrier and a stage. Delivering a show full of fire and raw energy, the chemistry on stage between and from the band, mixed with that of the crowds, it is something of a potent mixture. Culminating in a heart stopping delivery by the band and a atmosphere that can only be described as breath taking. The crowd at the Academy 2 should also be saluted for their contributions and its monstrous thirsted for the band.
The diversity between the three vocal styles (George, Dallas and Wade) gives the songs a richness and dimension not found anywhere else, their ‘tightness’ as a band has to also be highlighted. Playing with such passion and high level of ability makes it hard for them to falter as a band live or whilst recording. The band has a large following of loyal fans old and new and this another ‘Sold Out’ concert on their tour proves this, sealing a fan base not only in Europe but Australia and their homeland Canada.
The band are on their way to London to record sessions for the BBC and XFM, before heading back up to Glasgow ABC (9th November) to continue their tour then ending it in Nottingham Rock City (12th November).
© 2010 Manchester Live. Words by Scott G Robertson.
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