Papa Roach @ Brixton Academy - 10/10/09

It is not often that a venue will see such a mass turnout of dedicated fans for a band returning after only having been away for a matter of months. Despite this being the second UK tour that Papa Roach have done this year, no one is bored of them yet. In fact, it is quite the opposite. It was always going to be a difficult task opening for the renowned California rockers, and although the relatively unknown Heaven’s Basement do their best to stir up the crowd, it is clear that they are all in anticipation for one thing, and one thing only. Even energetic punks Madina Lake, with their loveable peroxide Leone twins, receive a comparatively small welcome compared to the act that is to follow them, despite giving a performance well-deserving of their current popularity. The moment that the lights dim signalling the imminent arrival of Papa Roach, the whole room appears to shift forward a few metres. The screams, which can be heard from both young and old, could easily cause one to mistake this for a teen pop concert. However, the moment the band launch into ‘Change or Die’, the atmosphere does a double take as the crowd is overcome by a furious, unstoppable energy. Jacoby Shaddix, bedecked in enough tattoos to make any parent shudder, shows he has lost none of the boundless energy for which he is so renowned. The quartet appear to have taken an even greater confidence boost since their appearance at Download Festival this summer, and are unafraid to play the majority of tracks from their most recent album ‘Metamorphosis’, including ‘State of Emergency’ and ‘Had Enough’. The connection that Shaddix finds with the crowd is sure to make each person feel as if they are the only one in the room. The set list lacks none of the Roach classics that first showed the world the band’s individuality, and there sees to be an even greater sense of unity between them and the crowd as they play hits like ‘Dead Cell’ and ‘Last Resort’. The sheer dedication of the fans can be seen clearly in the relish with which they throw themselves together on Jacoby’s orders during ‘Into The Light’. Finishing only after returning for a heavily requested encore, it is obvious from the dazed smiles of fans as they leave that the band will always be welcome here in the UK. Regardless of whether they choose to return next month or next year, it is clear that the sooner they’re back, the better.

Album Review - Paramore - brand new eyes

If you had told me – and countless others – six months ago, that I would be listening to this album, I might never have believed it. Stricken with the complexities of youth, Paramore were at one point unable to make conversation with one another, let alone write a record together. However, time’s healing properties appear to have worked their magic, and the band has once again pulled it off – in style. The appropriately titled third album delivers both typical Paramore panache in the form of tracks like ‘Looking Up’ and ‘Brick by Boring Brick’, whilst at the same time showing a decidedly more mature approach through the simplicity of stripped-down melodies such as ‘Misguided Ghosts.’ Although at times one is left longing for a little more of the Paramore-style punk of old, it becomes clear that not many people can put across their true feelings as well as Hayley Williams does in her flawless range of vocals, most prominently heard in ‘All I Wanted’. It is as if each lyric is a commitment to keeping the band together. The Franklin Quintet seem to have regained a sense of purpose.They have once again defied the label of ‘one-hit-wonders’. What really is apparent is that they truly mean it when they say that they are looking at the world – and their future for that matter – with brand new eyes.