Hell Is For Heroes - Colchester Arts Centre - 28/1/03
5/5
By: Matt Tomiak
'Let it be known that Hell is for Heroes are against barriers,' declares the band's firebrand frontman, Justin Schlossberg, commenting on the barricade that separates him from a sold-out and staggeringly youthful crowd. He doesn't have to spell it out. From manning their own merchandise-stand, to happily signing autographs before the show, to even chatting to their ever-growing legion of fans, West London quintet HIFH are well and truly Doing It For The Kids.
Relentless touring over the past couple of years, and especially their willingness to visit unfashionable provincial towns across the land has endeared them to the new generation of rock fans, so tired of the fake angst and shallow posturing of many larger US acts. Even after opener 'Five Kids Go' is annulled after about thirty seconds - following guitarist Will McGonagle slipping over, and, for a few brief but scary moments, temporarily losing consciousness - the show continues. Whereas Fred Durst is willing to cancel a stadium show on the grounds that he has a bad back, the 'Heroes' devotion to the cause is remarkable.
Due to Will's injury, the set is naturally cut short, but there's still time for an exhilarating preview of forthcoming album 'The Neon Handshake'; 'Cut Down', and 'Night Vision' notably soar, but it's the final two tracks which really send the gig into orbit. Following a majestic 'Sick/Happy', the lads close with recent top 30 hit 'I Can Climb Mountains'. Far from being discouraged by his band-mate's injury earlier in the evening, Justin decides to climb the PA system. He then scales the lighting-rig until balancing precariously over the audience, proceeding to drop into the adoring arms of his followers, enjoying a crowd-surf across the entire front rows before bellowing one last, earth-shattering chorus. Needless to say, it's fantastic.
And also needless to say, the 'Heroes stand on the brink of all-conquering rock godliness.
Artists in this article: Hell Is For Heroes
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