Review By Gray Roebuck Images By Callum Roebuck
Well not many bands will take a chance on a Sunday night gig and pull it off but this Welsh juggernaut fairly sailed into Audio delivered and left us wanting more at the end.
Support band “The Breathing Method” showcasing most of the latest release “After Everything Else” throughout the set are one of Scotland’s own and a newly changed 4 piece from Ayrshire delivered a set which new front man and guitarist Jamie delivered with a polished vocal given that he has just taken on duties due to Scott taking a step back a few weeks ago.
Set opener “Hope for a better day” and we certainly all hope for that set us off on a 50 minute journey before “Secrets” and “Disappointed” is something that no one in the Audience could say they were as this gave us our opening 3 song salvo of a fresh and energetic dozen song set.
Newish song “Jupiter” was well received before we were then treated to an acoustic version of “Demons” which had been played the same way the previous night in Berwick.
This was a gem of a set given the change in lineup of singer/guitar – Jamie, lead guitar – James, bass guitar – Gee who spent the evening suffering from the cold and drummer – Duncan kept up a frenetic beat on the drums at the back whilst the melodies of Jamie and Gee didn’t go amiss on the crowd with James giving us a few outstanding solo pieces one of which was alluded to as a “November Rain” moment.
The humour and sledging between band members and Scott taking on manager role and the audience set the tone for a humourous at times night.
The guys also had the confidence to go from rock to mellow to punk to back again throughout.
We then crashed all guns blazing into “All of my Dreams” which is a 20 year old song and is still being played giving the audience the opportunity to join in with a little “pogoing”with Jamie and James.
“Burden” closed the set and given the enthusiastic response of the crowd I can say given the chance north of the border then give these chaps a listen.
King Kraken “Amp” Audio –
This was what we were here for the Welsh Dragons “King Kraken” and what a firecracker of a set lasting not short of 75 minutes and showcasing the new album “March of the Gods” newly released in April of this year and I can safely say that this is up there as one of the British Rock albums of 2025.
Kicking off with aptly named “Scream” leads us into a raucous set Mark dressed in “black kilt and waistcoat” had the audience in the palm of his hand as the band launched us full throttle into a seismic set of anthems.”El Giganto” and “Berserker” was a triple salvo that had the 5 piece working to bursting point and it was evident to see and hear how close knit the band were with the instrumentals from lead guitarist – Adam, and the backing support vocals from – Pete on guitar along with the rhythm from bass – Karl and drums – Richard.
“Green Terror” gave the appreciative Audio audience their first opportunity to showcase their vocals in return as a frenetic start kept up the pace as our drum thumper kept the beat.
“Haddonfield” was next up as this set showed no signs of slowing down and we weren’t even mid set 25 minutes into this “headbangers ball” as the band got us going with another thundering instrumental as Mark cast an iconic shadow as he was engulfed as a haunting white shadow as a light at the front of the stage cast our Welsh cheerleader in a different light.
“Vigilante” then delivers another thundering intro and it’s plain to see the camaraderie between the band is great to see.
Mark then questions why you’d end a tour in Glasgow with his quote of “where they don’t give a f…, is why is highly amusing.
“Preacher” and “Magnum Opus” launched with dancing lights and not a second is wasted as the band continue the set at breakneck pace, these guys really deserve the plaudits they receive and they really should be playing to bigger venues in the future such is their energy.
We then have what is felt like a 2 seconds lull before we are hurtled into”Under the Sun” with drums and guitars ablaze and again we have the encapturing light engulfing Mark delivering his now customary lung bursting vocals set into each song along with the anthemic instrumentals that are delivered with passion and backing vocals throughout lead us to be asked if “we are having a good time”
“Man made Monster”, “Freak” and the awesome “Castle of Bone” which were 1 of many highlights for me tonight.
“Hero” and this is a tearjerker if ever there was one that is delivered with such nerve tingling emotion that it’s hard not to feel the raw energy of the lyrics being delivered to the crowd.
With the chequered flag in sight we get the title track and tour headline track and penultimate “March of the Gods” oh guys what is not to like about this track it is pure rock at its best you really need to buy the album to get the essence of this track.
And here we are set closer “Chainsaw” and we certainly have been been carved an absolute masterpiece of a set played without so much as a sip of water throughout we have seen a set carved within “Audio” beneath the main artery railtrack into Glasgow with such an energy that it could have lit the streets outside.
“Thankyou Glasgow, We love You” and that was that – the set closed on King Kraken for the first time in this city of musical culture.
Guys speaking with you after the set and the buzz that you gave us I can only hope bigger and better venues and audiences get the opportunity to see and hear you as I said you’ve been on my to see list for quite a while.
Kudos again guys for pulling off a Sunday night gig of pure rock 🤘🤘
Until the next time – Adios Gazza.
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