My Vitriol - The Fleece, Tuesday 22nd October

The last time My Vitriol released a studio album mobile phones could do little more than call and text, Saddam still ruled in Iraq and England had just beaten Germany 5-1 in Munich.  After what looked like an inevitable drive towards mainstream glory with debut shoe-gaze indie-rock classic ‘Finelines’ the band burned out and exiled itself for what has felt like a musical eternity.  Fast-forward 12 years and the London quartet are beginning again as die-hard fans still clutch onto the debut, a patchy b-sides album and a solitary, false-dawn mid-hiatus of an EP in hope of new material and a fitting reward for their patience.

Sri Lankan born front-man Som Wardner has cause to sweat tonight.  Not only is he donning a tight leather jacket in a hot-house almost-full Fleece but it’s the first night of a long awaited tour in front of an audience that wants to be both seriously re-energised and if possible, some answers.  From the off a Perspex screen is rather curiously placed in front of drummer Ravi Kesaravam as Wardner sits unaccompanied at a keyboard for promising eerie new opener ‘London City Lights’.  When bespectacled Jarvis lookalike Seth Taylor (guitar) and Ringo Starr’s gothy basque-wearing grand-daughter Tatia (bass) join on stage for ‘War Of The Worlds’ we’re re-introduced to the searing wall of sound and creamy vocals that won them their loyal army more than a decade ago.  

‘Cemented Shoes’ is the first real ‘oldie’ and brings about some committed head throwing as the band overcome their early sound frustrations that left Wardner’s guitar almost redundant.  Volatile yet melodic pop is played out with a scorching metal aggression throughout as Taylor and Wardner’s guitars spiral against some frankly vicious drumming.  A handful of new tracks have some worrying hand-clap synth drum beats but Wardner’s sharp vocals pull them up well.  The beaming frontman comes over all Jeff Buckley on ‘Cast Aspersions’ –a mid-paced glimpse into the next phase of the band which appears to go down well.  More sound issues on the pulverizing ‘Moodswings’ as the audience duck for cover; although the Fleece is known for it’s monster metal gigs, there can’t be many performances as brutally earsplitting as tonight’s.  The spiky powerhouse ‘Losing Touch’ is an old favorite devastatingly dispatched before Wardner addresses the crowd “thanks for sticking with us over the years” –by which point most have forgiven them.

‘Always Your Way’ is an anthemic eruption that sirens and soars as the night’s highlight with some fearsome angular guitar from Taylor.  Finishing with Tongue Tied / C.O.R -another carefully assembled instrumental showcasing their glorious, cacophonous blend of distorted feedback and guitar chimes that threatens to bring the lighting rig down.  As they exit the audience is left with both the ringing of ears and a bittersweet reminder of what could have been.  Laziness, buckling under pressure or writer’s block, we’re none the wiser.  But seemingly rejuvenated live and with a new album imminent and the weight of expectation suitably dampened by the passing of time the conditions appear right for a fresh tilt for one of indie rock’s most powerful live acts.

Kindly published by Venue:
http://www.venue.co.uk/music-live-reviews-m/21265-my-vitriol

Best Track: Click link below
My Vitriol - 'Always Your Way'

Setlist To follow

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