Evil Twin - The Lantern, Friday 17th January

Lo-fi Bristolian indie hopefuls Evil Twin have a reputation for being one of the hottest properties on the unsigned local circuit and after a rip-snorting forty-five minute rock assault it’s clear to see why.

Together for under a couple of years, the band have already taken their self-confessed ‘no bollocks music’ to the Dot-to-Dot and Green Man festivals as well as a string of support gigs around the region.  Opting to hone their sound in front of a live audience and shunning the expensive lure of the studio has paid off for the recent graduates whose diverse range of influences shows that they’ve done their rock’n’roll homework. 

They’ve got some promising support of their own in the shape of intense melodic Alt-J’ish trio Tiers and a superb set from an energetic young band formally known as ‘Why Kill Ian?’ -Bridgwater’s pop-punk quartet ‘Bridges’.  Bereft of shoes, this early Kings of Leon influenced group definitely make themselves at home on the stage in front of an enthusiastic crowd.  Bearded frontman Ethan Proctor’s vocals are reminiscent of Brandon Boyd (Incubus) on best track ‘Storming The Palace’ which bombs along with joyous ferocity.  Crunching guitars from ‘Dirty Harry’ villain Josh Redman-Thomas and some classy shimmering drums get the audience shuffling and with top new single ‘Amor’ imminent, they’re definitely one to watch. 

BBC Introducing favourites Evil Twin are deserved headliners tonight and baseball capped singer songwriter Andrew Barnes leads the band out to a hearty ovation.  The skinny front-man struts confidently about the stage dropping dirty guitar riffs and stretching vocals that fall just short of Jeff Buckley.  Not a bad introduction at all.  Early track ‘Situation’ opens with an Arctic Monkeys fuzzy chainsaw guitar riff and punchy Automatic bass with a welcome twist of a brizzle accent.  With a lo-fi feel and harmonies borrowed from Pavement it’s a trip back to the late 90’s for some but with far more bite and way less indulgence.  It’s not all about youthful punchy rock as the second half of building Led Zep rock-out ‘Sinister Woman’ testifies.  A real cut of quality; this one showcases Barnes’ gut-wrenching range and a real writing maturity beyond his years.

There’s not much banter between songs but in truth the crowd are here more out of curiosity and hope than familiarity, they do however appear to be won over by the time we get to debut single ‘Dusk Til Dawn’.  Another monstrous Queens Of The Stone Age riff is unleashed with delicious pomp amid Barnes howling “I didn’t start this, throwing punches in the dark.”  Louis Jones' screeching guitar bosses the track from start to finish, bass-man Anton Larkin proving the perfect foil for what is the band’s strongest tune to date.  It’s a thoroughly enjoyable ride; tight, polished and pounding indie perfection, check them out for yourself it’s unlikely you’ll be disappointed.

Kindly published by Bristol24-7:
http://www.bristol247.com/2014/01/21/review-evil-twin-lantern-colston-hall-bristol-11467/ 


Click on links below

Evil Twin - 'Sinister Woman'
Evil Twin - 'Dusk Til Dawn'