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NEONFLY/The Morning After/Serpico
Islington Academy 2, 9 March 2012


A three band bill at the Academy 2 and good to see a decent sized crowd, even for the early start for Serpico. They reminded me of Blink 182 but with some metal bite. Catchy punk metal tunes and a decent stab at   Therapy?'s 'Screamager'.  Worth seeing live if you get a chance and a very energetic band on stage.

Next up we have The Morning After who have just had a rave review for their 'Legacy' album in 'Classic Rock presents AOR' magazine.

They look like a mix between a 80's hair metal band and a more earthy UK metal act circa the early 80's. Like Serpico they exude energy onstage and have a nice line in harmonies, almost Journey like until some big, juicy metal riffs come crashing in.

I was very impressed by their set, although perhaps a slower number would have broken the set up a bit more. They also did a cover of 'Bohemian Rhapsody', albeit from the heavy part after the operatic section - even Queen never did that part live! Impressed by them and a band to look out for over the coming months and years.

Neonfly I was seeing for the third time in just under a year after first becoming a fan after watching them support the mighty Power Quest.

They have come on leaps and bounds, and like the previous two bands put on an energetic show, although the confines of the stage stopped some of the onstage movement.

They have seen their following grow as well, attracting a young metal crowd plus a few old farts like me. Despite some early sound issues (the guitars were drowned out by the bass and vocals at the start) they soon hit their stride.

With catchy metal tunes like 'Morning Star', 'The Messanger' and the simply awesome 'Ship With No Sails' you can't go wrong. Like the previous two bands we had a cover, this time Journey's 'Seperate Ways' where vocalist Willy Norton did a good impression of Steve Perry. Then the band can do some prog in the shape of 'The Revenant'. Closing with the fast and furious 'I Think I Saw A UFO' the band started their UK tour with an assured performance.

Three good bands who prove that rock and metal have some talented new bands coming through and hopefully they can keep on building their audiences.

Review by Jason Ritchie