The Blackout live at Electrc Ballroom
The Blackout is one of the highly tipped hard rock acts to come out of South Wales in a long time. Since forming in 2003, and signing three years later, this six piece has developed a sound where “screamo” has never fitted so perfectly. The band combines furious drumming and guitars with prominent melodies, powerful riffs and to top it off, screaming and melodic vocals. On this particular night, there was elevated electricity pulsating through an already hyped up and excited crowd.
Upon the chanting of ‘WE ARE THE DYNAMITE!’...let the show begin.
The night was full of powerful hard knocking hits, strong and commanding vocals and music that within one blast could knock you to the back of the room while leaving your boots where you stood. From the minute the lads took the stage a fit of power swept over them; they owned the stage. Nothing could keep them still as they were over-powered with enthusiasm and energy and entertained the crowd to the best they could; from chatting to the crowd to blasting off their eardrums on tracks like ‘The Beijing Cocktail’.
One of many elements that make the Blackout stand out as superior over other hard rocking artists was the vocal talent. If you find it tiresome listening to one vocalist bleeds his guts out to a track, then be surprised that here there are two! There is Gavin with his more rhythm-empowered vocals, and then Sean who takes “screamo” to a whole new level of volume. The vocals from both these young fellas had a way of piercing though your heart and you mind.
It is surprising how many different and varied things the lads have had to write about. Of course there is the typical ladish tracks like ‘Shake Those Hips’ and ‘Spread Legs Not Lies’, but there is also tracks about werewolves of all things supernatural. They went to all ends of their limited discography; from some of their eldest songs, to more recent material. Also, as well as the more obvious louder, upbeat and intensive tracks, ‘Life and Death’ gave individuals a little taste of the lads more calmer side. The boys even gave a few blasts of Madonna’s ‘Like A Prayer’ and Gwen Stefani’s ‘Hollaback Girl’.
It wasn’t just the vocals and music that drove fans insane, it was the electrifying stage performance these six put on. The stage at the Electric Ballroom is quite limited and to squeeze six lads, a drum kit and a few guitars and what not on stage is a miracle in its own right. But to have the lads running back and forth, and the guitars pounding away was even more impressive. Even more so were Sean and his microphone antics. Throwing it back and forth, up and down while keeping every notes and scream at its best was a talent he had down well.
I had never really paid much attention to the likes of The Blackout in the past. But after the night of mind boggling and energetic sing song I had, I downloaded their tracks quick smart! The Blackout sound amazing on CD and even more so live.