Things have been on a peculiar trajectory for Band of Skulls.
While third album Himalayan charted lower than its predecessor and hasn't produced something with the hit power as the previous two records, the band's live profile is still expanding. They were a big draw at festivals across Europe in the summer, and have also had experience down the years of supporting bands such as Muse, Queens of the Stone Age, The Black Keys, The Dead Weather and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.
The band's parade of hefty thumping rock has been enough to escalate their live profile, with the band now on a UK run-through of their biggest ever headline dates. With a sold out hometown gig at the Southampton Guildhall immediately after this one, and a largest ever headline show at the Hammersmith Apollo set to come, things are certainly looking big for the trio.
It would be easy to take it easy ahead of these big nights to take it easy, but ahead of a lively crowd, there is full-throttle rock from the off. Light of the Morning and Himalayan represent a punchy, hefty opening to the gig. But its 3rd song You're Not Pretty But You've Got It Going On that really gets the crowd moving and dancing, with the tantalising earworm of its spindly guitar enveloping the track.
Most of the sound is based on Emma Richardson's bass guitar, although one wonders about the mixing - while there's nothing wrong with the proficiency of her bass playing, it overpowers the guitar to a degree.
This is nevertheless a minor quibble. Russell Marsden and his army of guitars provides a nice array of riffing power that possesses the power to hypnotise and then bounce the crowd with an impressive proficiency.
Its easy from afar to deride a samey element to some of the songs, but the power and the force when faced with it in the live arena is still extremely pleasing. The title track from 2nd album Sweet Sour is a particularly beastly tune, as is Asleep At The Wheel.
The moment that really gets the crowd pumped and bouncing is a marvellous three-prong attack at the close of the main set, with Death by Diamonds and Pearls flowing excellently into The Devil Takes Care of His Own, and even nicer into breakthrough single I Know What I Am. This hit parade to close off the main set is especially delightful, and shows off the best part of the band's playing and writing styles.
Marsden says its a conclusion to the gig, but the band do return for a brief three song burst, which includes the evening's most chill song in the form subtler, more introspective Cold Fame. The blistering Hoochie Coochie and spindly Hollywood Bowl then bring curtain down in style.
In all, its a very pleasant endeavour in all. The power of Band of Skulls is mostly prevalent on the live circuit, which is part of the reason why they make for compelling opener for many of the biggest names in rock. On show here, it makes for a compelling presence, and in smaller rooms like the Oxford O2, it works excellently well.
4/5
Opening were Japanese acid-punk proposition Bo Ningen, whose attempts to make a first impression weren't helped by the first song sounding messy thanks to the poor mix. After taking a few songs to adjust to things, the impressively calibrated and perhaps slightly demented squawk begins to take shape. The final song takes things to bombastic levels, with the lead singer playing her bass virtually on the front row, while the guitarists pull shapes and the drummer layer on solo after solo. It ends superbly well, and certainly, the band eventually does enough to leave a positive mark on proceedings.
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