Another sold out tour for Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes as they bring their chaotic brilliance to Edinburgh for their penultimate gig of this UK tour. The Liquid Rooms is packed to the rafters and ready for this explosive band to take the stage. There’s a new album set for release on May 3rd but until then, we will have to hear the tracks first hand as we “End The Suffering” and hear tracks from this much anticipated album live.
Black Futures
It must be a daunting prospect for any band to tour with Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes, but Black Futures have embraced this and raised the bar for “support” bands. Industrial Noise Punks, this duo have an incredibly powerful sound for what intensively is a drummer and a synth/guitarist (namely VIBES and SPACE).
Of course, with the involvement of some brilliant production utilising live sequenced tracks, they leave the audience wondering how two people on stage can deliver a wall of sound like it. Describing themselves “A no-holds-barred aural assault of Anarchic Electro Psych Punk Noise that is something like Death From Above and the Chemical Brothers’bastard offspring” they certainly match their peers.
There’s a theatrical side to the performance as we see two people dressed in Haz-Mat suits and they compliment the performance as they interact in dramatic robotic fashion. The drama didn’t stop on the stage as SPACE(Guitar) places himself dead centre of the audience. He plays one song from the crowd much to the amazement and curiosity of those around him. If you get the chance, check this band out, although I suspect they will be in your face before you know it.
BLACK FUTURES– Website // Facebook
Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes
The lights go out and the crowd already go wild from anticipation as the band breeze on stage like it’s just another day, just another gig but this couldn’t be further from the truth. What you get from this band is a performance to die for, everytime. It’s like the last gig they will ever play and they want you to live it and die for it as they expend everything they’ve got for you.
The set kicks off with “Crowbar”, the crowd singalong to this new song, which was released on video a few weeks ago and is already a crowd favourite. It’s dedicated to everyone who’s been there from the start. It’s 2 1/2 minutes of bedlam as, after a signature guitar intro from Dean, the song explodes into life with Frank bouncing all over the stage and acting up for the cameras that are there to capture the gig.
“It’s beautiful to be back in Scotland”, says Frank and we get lyrics to match the sentiment as “Wild Flowers”crashes into life and the mayhem continues. Up next is a new song from the album, which features a guest appearance from Tom Morello(Rage Against the Machine/Audioslave/Prophets of Rage) and you realise that Dean could be the spiritual son of Tom as he wears his guitar high like Tom does.
The tune does have that ‘feel’ of a Morello track but still retains a ’Rattlesnakes’ flavour. Frank’s barely made it to the end of the third song before he launches into the crowd and surfs and sings to the end of the track. Frank’s now standing on top of the crowd but he is not in “Trouble”. If you only ever see one video of the band, check this out!
Climbing onto the wall and up onto the balcony, Frank re-appears to sing “Vampires” with the crowd alongside him. He’s being bated to dive from upstairs but declines after a bit of teasing as 10yrs ago he probably would have. He makes it back on stage but is redundant at this point as the crowd are in full voice and almost drown out the band as they burst their lungs.
“Fangs” sees the crowd surfing matching the furiosity of the band before Frank brings the tempo down with a monologue about women crowd surfing and experiences of being mistreated. This is a song for the ladies to surf and be treated with love. “Heartbreaker” another new track from the upcoming album is the perfect soundtrack to surf for these sirens. The tempo is maintained with a powerful version of “Acid Veins” from their last album “Modern Ruin”.
We get another prophetic speech from Frank but this time it’s about the daily stresses and troubles we can all suffer from as the band play “Anxiety” from the new album. Slowly picked guitar backs Frank as he sings emotionally and the song builds and captivates the audience. You could almost hear a pin drop as the band bring it down and leave Frank to voice the lyrics before a characteristic blast as the band come in full force to end the song.
Another must see video is “Snake Eyes” as the band play one of their seminal songs and it’s back to business as the crowd try their best to match the strains of the energetic vocalist. After a massive singalong, Dean finishes the song with some wailing lead solos and feedback before he crashes into “Jackals” and the place erupts. “Lullaby” brings back the bounce. We get treated to a second rendition of “Crowbar” as Frank makes no apologies for playing it, just because he can. “Devil Inside of Me” sees the height of the crowd chaos tonight, and we get the signature encore of “I Hate You” as every single person in the building sings those prophetic words.
Veni, Vidi, Vici….Frank Carter could rule the world on the evidence of tonight’s performance but he’ll settle for bringing his love and passion to you however he can. There’s a European tour on the horizon, the launch of the new album and a whole lot more to come from this talented man and his incredible band.