Modern Ruin
Right from the off let's just make one thing abundantly clear - simply put there is no one quite like Frank Carter in heavy Music at the moment. Yeah there are Hardcore vocalists aplenty and there are loads who boast exuberant character but Frank Carter as a showman live is untouchable at the moment. Since leaving Gallows it has taken a little while for him to regain the same level of momentum musically, but it's through this gap between then and now where he has been able to develop so many other elements to his performance. He's developed from being the raging bull steaming in to the crowd to a far more calculated performer who is now able to launch himself between this frenzied maniac in to a genuinely great storyteller. His impressive run recently at festivals and other sporadic shows led to this whole tour selling out, and as soon as the band threw themselves in to Trouble, even just in that moment, you can see that Frank Carter has once again built himself a hugely dedicated following.
The set list was mainly centred around tracks from the impressive Blossom released last year so even with the odd new song thrown in - considering they're only one album deep - there wasn't a huge amount of music considering this was a headlining show. But Frank's presence on stage, his ability to engage with the whole crowd between tracks allowed it all to flow brilliantly.
At the heart of the set came a series of tracks which helped convey the elation and despair so prominent on the record and at the forefront of Frank's current emotions. Lullaby is a touching tribute to his baby daughter, a track which culminated in a huge confetti explosion, (confetti at a Frank Carter gig? Bet you thought you'd never read that). The double whammy of Juggernaut and Jackals (with circle pit going from the front to behind the sound desk) followed before Frank encouraged everyone to sit down on the ground to listen to the very moving Beautiful Death which was penned in tribute to his Father-In-Law who passed away. This wasn't a 'sit down and jump the fuck up' moment, rather a perfectly placed poignant one midway through a largely energetic set. The now almost gig standard 'sit down/jump up' madness did come a little later - on the elegantly named I Hate You which formed a perfect finale to what felt like a truly triumphant show.
Overall then, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes have once again confirmed their place as one of the most exciting live acts around at the moment. Reports from the whole tour suggest that these high levels continued on away from The Electric Ballroom tonight and with this kind of momentum we won't be surprised at all to see next year's newly announced UK tour selling out as well. You do not want to miss those shows.