The Underworld is rammed. It’s human sardines time and this is before the opening act make an appearance. So full marks to the fans tonight for showing up in strength early. They’re treated to quite a display from locals In Search Of Sun too. They set about tearing it up from the first note with huge enthusiasm and some extremely classy vocals. They put a new spin on rock music and as a result big grins on faces.
High Parasite are somewhat of a contrast musically with a sound that blends doom low end with a much more up tempo delivery. Imagine singer Aaron Stainthorpe’s previous band My Dying Bride crossed with Temple Of Love era Sisters Of Mercy and you get the idea. The songs have a wonderful groove to them while the band members look the part too with Stainthorpe in all white, a grim reaper on bass and plenty of attitude. They’re bubbling under at the moment but you can imagine them flying high very soon.
It’s a pretty significant milestone to sell out The Underworld. It’s a bit of a statement that a band from Bournemouth have done it through sheer hard work and no small amount of skill. It also helps that South Of Salem are genuinely nice guys too, always making sure they put their fans first. Maybe it’s because of their name and that of the venue but this is a literal inferno. It is extremely hot, and the band are on fire of a different kind. They are just sublime. The songs rock, the stage craft is right on point, and the fans lap it up. People often ask who will replace those big bands we are losing, they say that rock music is dead. It’s all good though because tonight South Of Salem prove it’s very much alive and kicking.
Review and photos by Gary Trueman