Just 24 hours ago hard rockers South Of Salem dropped their debut album ‘Death Of The Party’ and tonight the band are hosting their official release celebration with a highly anticipated hometown headline show at the O2 Academy Bournemouth.
It’s a bitter cold night as we make a beeline to the venue following the hordes of black clad fans in this seaside town just hours before storm Isha comes to wreak havoc. As we enter this stunning venue which was bult in the late 1800’s you can’t help but be mesmerised by the beauty and history that it is steeped in. Once upon a time Pink Floyd, Thin Lizzy and David Bowie all graced the stage and tonight South Of Salem will hold court.
The bands coven convene excitedly all sporting the merchandise proudly and the stage is adorned with the bands large backdrop with unmistakable logo complete with neon lit coffins. The platform is perfectly in sync with the bands imagery and the venue is dressed for a killer show.
But first up its rock veterans INME who take to the stage in an odd pairing with the headliners but the electricity of them joining the bill is exhilarating and the band launch straight into 2002’s anthem ‘Underdose’ with pure vigour and for the next nine songs INME are high energy with an elevated dose of nostalgia, never slowing, never wavering, just absolute showmen who thrive when on stage together. Dave McPherson seems in his element as he growls and sings his way through the set which also included ‘Firefly’, ‘7 Weeks’, ‘Crushed Like Fruit’ and he is met with applause when he announces that the band will have a new album out this year. Ending the all too short performance with showstopping ‘Faster The Chase’ you can’t help but feel that tonight was the jumpstart of something special and reignited for these guys.
The lights go down and a coffin emerges being carried onto the stage by four footmen to dramatic music and is lowered onto a platform. With a sole spotlight shining directly onto it South Of Salem singer Joey sits up like a reanimated corpse and climbs out onto the stage launching into the irresistible earworm ‘Let Us Prey’ which has the crowd whipped into hysteria immediately. The whole band are never still for even a second and strategically work the stage between themselves flinging their guitars around their bodies, hair whipping, headbanging, fist pumping and playfully sticking out their tongues. The crowd reciprocate the energy and if Joeys wide mile smile is anything to go by, it’s all going to plan.
The bands’ ability to win over every heart in the room is a powerful trait to have and it is the sheer strength of the other thirteen songs that follow on from each other that prove why South Of Salem are a hot commodity right now. ‘Static’, ‘Vultures’ ‘Pretty Little Nightmare’ and ‘Left For Dead’ are cult like anthems, pure and simple. Hard rock tunes infused with singalong choruses, horror, love, lust and death make for an irresistible cocktail and tonight these infectious songs are fantastically coupled with cheerleaders who have ‘slay’ emblazoned on their tops, a whole heap of dry ice, a lot of pyro and finale confetti.
South Of Salems strong suit isn’t their originality, it is their unwavering authenticity, and they end tonight’s fun with ‘Cold Day In Hell’ cementing themselves as one of the most dedicated and deserving independent bands on the alternative music scene.
Review By Nickie Hobbs
All Photos By Mark Bestford – Alienation Photography
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INME
South Of Salem
