As the crowd picked out their gloomiest attire and and began to huddle closely together as they packed out the sold-out venue, The Horrors certainly gave fans something to remember them by as they delivered a spellbinding performance at Strange Brew in Bristol, showcasing their bold new chapter.
Kicking off with the industrial, face-melting "Whiplash", the band wasted no time in getting things moving. The venue's intimate and darkened atmosphere only amplified their hauntingly immersive sound, enhanced by their revamped line-up, including new members Amelia Kidd on keys and Jordan Cook making up the bank line on drums.
A mini tour of sorts as the band prepare to release their forthcoming sixth studio album ‘Night Life’, out March 21st via Fiction Records, the set-list is peppered with new offerings which seamlessly fit in-between their almost 20 year back catalogue of hits - "The Silence That Remains" proving to be a propulsive effort that saw fans already shouting back the lyrics at the top of their lungs.
Combined with the band’s signature blend of gothic and post-punk styling which brought both nostalgia and reinvention, their new sound brings with it new ideas and "Trial By Fire" is another sprawling, wall of sound that transcended in to the crowd who were only quick to oblige with a readily formed mosh pit.
From brooding, slow-burning anthems to explosive, noise-filled climaxes, embodying the "melancholy and euphoria" themes the new album promises to explore, the band showed little let up as they drove through their set-list with a euphoric energy.
Elsewhere of notable mention, front man Faris Badwan was the undeniable focal point as his haunting and enigmatic stage presence pulled the audience deeper into their performance as lights flashed and skittered in strobe effect. With his vocals alternating between anguished crooning and impassioned outbursts, particularly during fan-favourite tracks like "Still Life" he brought their dark, cinematic sound to essence in the largest of ways.
Sadly though, all good things must come to an end.
As the band returned to the stage following a triumphant adulation from eager fans who chanted "one more song", the evening was brought full circle with their synth kaleidoscopic closer, "Something To Remember Me By".
There's no denying tonight's performance demonstrated their commitment to reinvention, as they embraced a rawer, more reflective direction whilst maintaining the dark allure that has defined their career. It's safe to say fans in the audience left Strange Brew eagerly anticipating the release of their forthcoming LP - an impressive feat for a band closing in on two decades.
The Horrors are back, and in a big way!
*****
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