The first couple of numbers I catch of Pageant Mum are youthful and confident hard rock in the vein of Halestorm only with more of a punk influence. The singer doesn't have the same type of voice as Lzzy Hale as she sings in more of a punk style. Her voice is still pretty strong though. They're pretty good although the stagecraft isn't quite there yet. They play a cover which I recognise but can't quite place, although it does seem quite faithful from what I can recall of the original. 'It Burns' is more of a slow burn post-hardcore number but is still decent. The final track has a Rage Against The Machine meets post-hardcore feel.
Body Water's opening track 'Taste' has a pretty generic pop rock verse but the chorus has a bit more substance to it and the high notes at least make it interesting. The second track 'Fright Night' has an uptempo yet messy verse but the chorus is interesting again, coming across like a rock Kate Bush. 'Spit' follows a similar template. All of their good ideas seem to be contained within the choruses. I'm not sure I wanted or needed a cover of 'The Time Warp' but at least it is consistent throughout. 'Will You Be My Frankenstein?' is pretty good and reminds me of EEVAH. The last couple of tracks are actually decent and manage to rescue the set somewhat.
Battlesnake's singer Sam Frank sets the scene, reading from his bible the spoken word track 'Dawn Of The Exultants' by way of an introduction before the rest of the band join him onstage to unleash an awesome 'I Am The Vomit'. The room seems to have suddenly filled up to capacity and the crowd are absolutely loving it. 'The Fathers Of Iron Flesh' is much more of a driving force live than it is on record. 'Beelzebug II' is pure Judas Priest worship and is fantastic. 'Murder Machine' showcases the excellent twin guitar attack of Ben Frank and Daniel Willington whilst the thrashing, yobbish chorus is incredible. The doomy, theatrical chorus of 'Sanctum Robotos' is great too. The whole band are great and play their part in the show but Sam is the focal point. He is one part demented preacher, one part circus ringmaster and one part metal god. 'Motorsteeple' is a theatrical rager whilst the chorus of Pangea Breaker' is just made for punching your fist in the air. The crowd is much wilder than last time (which was at the much smaller Gullivers) and every song receives a raucous reception, With their sense of fun, image and ridiculous fantasy themes, it would be easy to write Battlesnake off as a novelty band but they are a seriously good metal band as demonstrated by the thundering riff of 'The Battlesnake'. The thrash section of 'The Key Of Solomon' sees a circle pit open up in the crowd. 'Nightmare King' is glorious and the way the crowd sing the pre-chorus guitar line is joyous. Sam sheds his robes to perform a wild cover of AC/DC's 'Let There Be Rock' in his underpants. One of the guitarists produces a ladder from backstage and plays atop of it in the middle of the crowd whilst the bassist and singer are paraded around him on top of people's shoulders. It's a pretty insane finish to an amazing show. One of the best live acts around and I fully expect them to be playing an even bigger venue the next time they play Manchester.
Battlesnake *****
Body Water ***
Pageant Mum ***
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