Attica
Rage have been around for a few years now and coming from Glasgow we
should have crossed paths before now, but this is my first experience of
the guys live.
Having
released their latest album 'Road Dog' a few months ago to critical
acclaim, including a 4/5 review on these hallowed pages, and played at
the High Voltage festival during the summer, the band are on a bit of a
crest of a wave at the moment.
They had
chosen this homecoming gig as the perfect venue to record a live DVD for
future release, to capture this peak for posterity...
Special
guests for the night were NWOBHM stalwarts Praying Mantis who
resurfaced a few years ago on the live circuit and released their latest
album entitled Sanctuary back in 2009.
This was
the first time the band had played in Glasgow since a support slot at
the legendary Apollo in 1980!
Kicking
off with 'Children Of The Earth' the band showed that although 30 odd
years had passed, they could still rock with the best and they put in a
highly entertaining 40 minute set.
The Troy
brothers Tino and Chris founded the band in the mid 70's and clearly
still have a great love for all things rock. The band may not have gone
on to the same success as other bands of the time, Iron Maiden spring to
mind, but they are still a bloody good rock band. If you get the chance
to check them out I would recommend you do so as soon as possible.
The night
though belonged to Attica Rage. As I said, the night was being
filmed for a full length DVD and the band had drafted in a lot of
friends to cheer them on.
The band's
sound has developed on the new album from being a bit of a mix between
Motorhead and Metallica to a more heavy blues rock sound which on the CD
comes across well and live gives a different edge to the performance.
The band
kicked off with a couple of older numbers before heading in to the newer
material which went down well with the crowd, the band were performing
the whole of 'Road Dog' throughout the show, although for a home crowd
they were strangely muted and a bit reserved, not what I was expecting
really.
Frontman
Jonny Parr did his best to whip the crowd up as did Big C on bass and
the band played their hearts out. The gig was a bit disjointed at times
due to the filming and a couple of special guests coming and going on
keyboards and, at one point, cello to play an acoustic number with Jonny
on guitar.
Overall
though it was a good show which I think was compromised a bit with the
filming and I would like to catch the band again. No doubt, once edited,
the DVD will be well worth the watch as well.
Review and
photos by
David Wilson
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