Skindred, Idiom & Daywalkers At London ULU
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First on stage in this all-UK line-up are Daywalkers. The reception is lukewarm but, to be fair, so is the music. They play a bouncing, semi-rap metal reminiscent of a more formulaic take on POD, but without the bling-bling video to distract you. They are competent and throw plenty of effort into the performance but unfortunately it’s a musical blend hasn’t been thought of as exciting since a certain red cap dominated the charts. Sorry guys.
Idiom on the other hand couldn’t be more refreshing. The tunes swing from full metal blast beats to melodic interludes reminiscent of Science-era Incubus, vocalist Matt hitting the full range from metal roars to balladic long notes via more Billy Talent-style squawking. It’s not just their fluency at mixing a range of genre elements that impresses but also the level of instrumentation and composition, including tight solos, intricate bass lines and a solid on-stage presence. The package is all there and the crowd react in kind. It’s actually quite shocking to discover that they’re currently unsigned.
Skindred are part of a rare breed of band who manage to bridge the gap between the definitions of ‘cult’ and ‘institution’. On the one hand they are popularly and critically respected yet always seem to sit on the outskirts of mainstream knowledge and media coverage. On the other hand they consistently perform and are arguably a foundation stone in modern UK rock, with years under their collective belts that defy the mere two album releases. The mix of solid metal riffs, reggae dancehall rhythms and electronic beats is a sound that could only be the product of the cultural mixing pot of Britain and taking a look around the crowd it’s clear to see the broad range of their appeal - every shape, race and style is present from standard Slayer-tshirted metallers to well-dressed Shoreditch media types, alongside short, moody scene girls, white faux-rude boys and muscle-pound mosh heads. A hip-hop Star Wars remix kicks the set off at a breakneck tempo and it never lets up, mixing classics like Pressure, Babylon and the always-amazing Nobody alongside the newer Rat Race and Destroy The Dancefloor. Every heaving riff and funk-fueled interlude is tuned to perfection showing exactly how polished and seasoned they are as performers, Benji taking no time at all to get the crowd hanging from his every instruction. The intensity in the room and the sheer quality of the music makes for a genuine feel-good party atmosphere it’d be hard to find at any other metal gig - the same lads who one minute are slamming into each other to a slice of metal are two minutes later shaking their arses and waving their arms around like idiots to rhythms straight from the Caribbean. It’d be overzealous to describe it as a perfect gig but for pure enjoyment, and personal fulfillment given the long wait since their last headline tour, it’s close. Let’s just hope it’s not another few years before the next album.
