The Color Morale

Mondays, Mondays what to do on Mondays? You could do a lot worse than go to a concert? And if you had ventured down to the Underworld the other night, you’d have witnessed three very impressive bands, and one finding their feet.

Oceans Ate Alaska’s name would suggest something proggy but they are by numbers tech metal, very early days. Turning to Like Moths to Flames, judging by the reactions it was definitely like fans to band. The Metallica influence pervades but they are close to finding a sound of their own. The Word Alive headlined and weren’t going to be upstaged by anyone playing a very cool set of modern metal.

Three-quarters of the way up the bill, The Color Morale really are on an upward curve at the moment with a strong new album in Hold On Pain Ends. However, Burn Victims opens their short set and with great respect to vocals and guitars, the interplay of bass and drum is what hits hardest throughout the set, leaving a cavity in many a chest. That’s not say the others are in the background; with new song Damnaged vocalist Garret Rapp enforces just what natural lead singer he is, and while the complex guitar work can be a mindboggling, it’s not widdling for the sake of it.

A very impressive Suicide Stigma sees the band turn ever so slightly towards more trad metal with its thick riffing, while Prey for Me has a blend of muscle and melody that is just so catchy, that the crowd just can’t help but surf! A vicious, but rousing rendition of Strange Comfort closes their set on a high. And that was that: the band well into their stride frustratingly having to finish so early, albeit leaving a sated crowd.