It’s been a long hiatus for me but it’s great to be back covering shows again. And what better way to jump back in than with the long-awaited return of Spineshank!
Due to some unforeseen delays on the drive up, unfortunately I missed the majority of Hed PE’s set that kicked off the night, so I’ll jump straight into Spineshank’s.
As the crowd waited in anticipation, the lights eventually faded, followed by the roar of the crowd indicating the return was imminent… Spineshank hit the stage with “Asthmatic”. The energy was absolutely palpable! There’s a feeling about being at a nostalgic show like this that you can’t truly put into words. For me, when I hear this band it takes me straight back to my youth.
Like they never left us, Spineshank hasn’t missed a beat! Yes, a few members may have come and gone over the years and age certainly creeps up on everyone eventually, but you can’t deny the show these guys just gave us. The band played a headline-worthy, sixteen-track performance. Heavy hitters such as “Synthetic”, “New Disease” and “Smothered” were some of my favourites growing up and I never thought we’d see the day we have them played to us again. Spineshank ended with “Beginning of the End”, “Detached” and topped it off with “Dead to Me”.
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So how on earth do you top that? Well frankly, you don’t! If there’s any band that can follow though, it’s Drowning Pool. So one more time, the lights dim and the familiar sound of KISS’s “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” engulfs the O2 Academy Islington. And on walk out headliners for this evening.
Drowning Pool kicked off with “Sinner”, which was absolutely perfect in my eyes. Another nostalgic hit that grabs you by the scruff off your necks and drags you straight back to when you were younger.
As raw of a performance you’ll see anywhere on the planet, from start to finish, the band oozed energy and pure talent. From sounds reminiscent of grunge legends such as Alice in Chains one minute to flipping a switch the next and going full blown Pantera, Drowning Pool have a way of toying with your emotions in the best possible way.
Another star-studded set for the evening which delivered on every single front. Whether a new fan or an oldie, there was something in there to appease even the biggest of die-hards. Drowning Pool eventually closes out with “Tear Away” into “Reminded” before finally letting the “Bodies” hit the floor!
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Photos by Lawrence Potter
