It’s colder than a witch’s tit up here in Bradford and our hearts go out to the Gibraltan section of Breed 77 who admit they’re acclimatizing slowly to the cold snap. Weather matters aside, it will get heated inside Night Train tonight, so let’s get ourselves beside the fire onstage, shall we?
Godeth
These local firebrands hit the early stage running with just as much energy as if they were headlining a sold-out room. It’s a cold night here in Bradford, but the sheer might of Godeth’s recent album tracks, opener ‘Solace’ and ‘Coup De Grace’ ensure we’re all glowing like the Ready Brek man (remember him? just me then). Vocalist Miles in particular, has no chill in him, and I don’t believe he has phoned anything in, in his life, as he snarls and roars his way through the hardcore-tinged fury of ‘Life to The Flame’ and ‘Leeches’. With sterling performances all around, it remains a fact that whether it’s top billing or warming up, Godeth always prove themselves as true contenders.
Red Method
Tonight, Red Method deliver a twisting, energetic, well-oiled performance with ‘Messiah’ and the recent Metal Hammer track of the week, ‘All For One None For All’, sounding utterly massive. The band works hard to win over the northern crowd, and historically, Bradford is notoriously hard to please for support acts. New track ‘Counting Corpses’ gets an airing and has a pleasing high-speed hardcore sensibility, with singer Jeremy switching between gutturals, fry screams, half rapping and singing; the frontman definitely has range in his arsenal. The sound inside this relatively wide venue muddies their usual blunt force, but they’re road warriors and have gained a few fans tonight. Apparently, Jeremy has burst an abscess on stage and battles through closer with blood escaping down his leg. A testament to perseverance in front of one of the north’s most dour crowds. Literally blood, sweat and tears (as in tearing) for Red Method tonight!! After the set, Jeremy proves to us by the merch stand that he wasn’t kidding; he bled for you tonight, Bradford. Warrior!
Breed 77
Some exotic flair in the place is required, and Breed 77 bring it in spades with the whole band utterly on fire. Tracks old and new intermingle with that Spanish flare bringing sun through the speakers with ‘Individuo’ kickin’ the tyres and lightin’ the fires. There are plenty of metallic moments here alongside the melody. This is the sound of experience, musicianship, and, above all, excellent songwriting. Paul Isola’s voice is incredible and highly versatile, and the twin guitar attack is precise and expertly delivered directly to your ears. This is a fantastic performance. Breed 77 play like they’re headlining Wembley, and we love them for it. Recent single ‘End Of The Line’ sounds utterly vital. ‘Final Prayer’ still kills the old way. Tonight, ‘The River’ is a sweet serenade to Red Method, apparently, and is the first true rock ballad we’ve heard in quite a while!
The fact that Breed 77’s old and new tracks sit so well together is a testament to the fact that they have a sound all their own, and whilst new influences are creeping in, the overall sound is uncompromisingly theirs. How many modern metal bands sound as unique as Breed 77? We need to be encouraging this level of individuality across the board. Another contributing factor here is excellent songwriting as displayed on ‘Outside’ and the anthemic slab of dirty rock fury, which are a rarity in this over-polished era. The fierce political rage of ‘Insects’ sounds just as relevant as ever as it is dedicated to all of the failed leaders that have occupied the time since it was written. A crowd-pleasing cover of The Cranberries ‘Zombie’ is given a ramped-up delivery, and the Bradford crowd are surprisingly in full voice and present. As Breed 77 signs off an air-tight performance with the classic, ‘La Ultima Hora’ ‘ it’s been an exercise in total professionalism and a reminder of how great this music can be in expert hands.
Review & Photography By George Miller – https://www.facebook.com/oneflamemedia
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Godeth
Red Method
Breed 77
