All hail the Heroes.
Hell Is For Heroes have consistently delivered the goods and built up a dedicated base of fans over the years through hard graft, they never disappoint live, and this gig is no exception. Although tonight they're not playing to the biggest crowd ever, (the Barfly is full but it isn't sold out), this in no way seems to put off the band at all, they're on top form and give it their best; each track, old or new is expertly handled and precise but played with plenty of passion – they are as always, a joy to watch.
The first half of the hour long set focuses mainly on material from the self titled new album. These tunes, although less immediately catchy, sound great played at this volume and although it's not a sell out audience, you wouldn't know it from the levels of enthusiasm coming off the bodies packed tightly in around the small stage. The new tracks ease the excited crowd in slowly with their more epic sound; material like the beautiful and haunting album opener 'To Die For' create a dreamy trance like atmosphere before kicking in to familiar pounding beats and heavier riffs.
Where the first half hour is full of epic, sweeping new tunes, the second half is a nostalgic trip into the past of heavy riffs and melodic choruses. However well the tunes from the new album are received, it's only a taster of the reaction to come. The bitter sweet irony is that this might be a tour for the new album, but things only really kick in to gear in this second half of the set, when the Heroes treat us all to blistering renditions of all the old favourites from "The Neon Handshake" and "Transmit Disrupt". Tracks like; 'Kamichi', 'Out of Sight', 'I Can Climb Mountains' and 'You Drove Me To It' have an immediate effect on the fans; it's like the flood gates have been opened, releasing a tidal wave of thrashing, sweaty, wild-eyed nutters and the atmosphere is electric.
It's a real crowd pleaser of a set, with what seems like almost the entirety of first album "The Neon Handshake" being played, but however much we love to hear those old tunes, it makes you wonder how long they can keep playing the fan favourites with as much enthusiasm as they did tonight. Hopefully it's only going to be a matter of time before the new album material starts getting the same reaction.