Brum Shots

With loud, abrasive vocals mixed with speed-of-light rapping, the stage of The Asylum 2 is alive!

Only the stage though, as the audience seem barely aware that anyone is performing. Birmingham locals Blood Dealer have bravely accepted the opening slot in a line-up in which they are by far the heaviest band, and there’s a chance it’s not everyone’s cup of tea…

Requests to move are met with lukewarm cheers and half-hearted arm waving, but it seems to be a tough sell for the 4-piece. It’s not for lack of trying – their energy and showmanship is there and they tick all of the usual support band boxes (repeating their name, encouraging a sing-a-long). But even for a Wednesday night, it’s almost embarrassing to be part of such a lackluster and unreceptive crowd.

Next up is High Regard, who instantly seem to win the crowd over with their more melodic brand of heavy rock. The sold out venue is now full and the cheers grow louder throughout the set. There’s still not much movement (it’s mid-week in January I guess), but the mood of the room has improved in the 20 minute break between sets.

Enter The Hara. The mood switch is not just significant, it’s dramatic! Screams fill the venue. The front to the back is a wall of die hard fans, screaming every word.

There’s a vote for which song to play, and ‘Black Soul Ceremony’ almost unanimously knocks out ‘FYI’. It’s almost difficult to comprehend that this audience aren’t in favour of each and every song.

Their new material goes down well and the various call and response attempts are a success for the first time tonight in ‘Talk To The Manager’

The band have a dramatic on-stage presence, striking silhouettes against the deep red lighting. It doesn’t take long for vocalist Josh Taylor to shed his raven-esque robe (it is shot hot in here to be fair) but guitarist Zack Breen has somehow acquired a panda head to balance things out.

Several mosh pits later, we reach the end of the night. It’s been an uplifting set with mosh pits a-plenty; a complete 180 turn from the start of the night.