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Opening with “Ghost”, the trio took us through a set of crushing power from the heavier end of the spectrum. The phrase “Power Trio” could have been written for these three. Tristan’s guitar is full and heavy, his solos rip through your ears, his vocals gruff and raw. Fozzi’s bass links the rhythm and lead lines almost as a second guitar, and behind them, drummer Perry lures you into a false sense of security with what sounds impressive, but turns out to be relatively restrained skin-thumping. Sweat flies, hair swirls, Fozzi’s face is occasionally visible, but usually hidden beneath his curly mop, and each song seems to get louder, heavier, and better received by the rapt crowd. The art of a good set is to keep the energy rising, and this is a masterclass as the band take us through “Fiesta”, “The Ride”, “Same Again”, “Smoke”, and “Johnny” (why waste riff writing time on long titles?). It’s the set closer that rips the venue in two though. A cover of Budgie’s “Breadfan” that is incendiary. Remember that “false sense of security” with the drums? It is like someone has released the beast as Perry absolutely batters his kit. The last notes die away and there is a moment or two of silence, followed by a visible, unanimous “wow” from the slightly shell shocked crowd as Florence Black leave the stage. Usually the stage set up for a band is fairly standard. Drums at the back, guitar one side, bass the other, singer (if there is one) up front. The Virginmarys pretty much lay the stage out in a straight line, with the drums much more prominent. As soon as they take the stage, it becomes clear why. Danny Dolan has to be the most impressive drummer I have ever watched at such close quarters. His arm is strapped with tape. His fingers are strapped and plastered. His seat sits at in improbable height looming above the kit and, rather than a drum for every possible use, his kit is fairly minimal. The rhythms and stick tricks are stunning though. From lightning fast rolls and trills, to battering the kit with crushing power. Standing, sitting, looming over the kit… it is almost impossible to take your eyes off his performance. The Virginmarys are about much more than Dolan though. On his flanks are two other superb musicians, the three of them playing a brand of music that is impossible to categorise, but immensely involving. They present a ferocious trio. Flying through songs at a terrific rate. Ally Dickaty isn’t a leaping, posing frontman. Instead, his peroxide blonde hair and piercing eyes lend him a more messianic quality at the mic. Ross Massey plays a bass rhythm as imposing as his physical stature. It’s muscly and powerful, and complements the rhythms driven forward by Dolan perfectly. The set is full of crowd pleasers, and although the crowd isn’t the biggest they will have played to, it was full of dancing and moshing as their performance went down a storm. The Virginmarys were even joined on stage during one song by a particularly keen fan for some cowbell. In a set of so many songs, it is hard sometimes to pick stand out moments, but opener “Get Me Back Home” with it’s sleazy guitar, “Motherless Land”, the superb “Bang Bang Bang” and the speedy “Just ARide” have all wormed their way onto my car journey playlist. The controlled violence of Dolan’s drumming was shown in a photo released a day later, showing broken sticks and a drum skin showered with droplets of blood. Sums their set up perfectly for me! Review and pics: Rob Wilkins [gallery type='flickr' user_id='132278830@N06' view='photosets' photoset_id='72157690008653883' media='photos' columns='3' tag_mode='any' sort='date-posted-desc' per_page='102' layout='square' caption='title' thumb_size='s' main_size='z' ]]]>
