Amplifier
Islington, Academy, London
Anyone in doubt that Amplifier are a very, very good band will have been shown the error of their ways in 2011. Throughout this year, the UK outfit have not only delivered an expansive, mind-stretching monster of an album in the form of ‘The Octopus’, they’ve also demonstrated once more how dedicated, talented musicians really can do well for themselves off their own backs, keeping virtually everything in house. Though we miss openers Mojo Fury due to an eye-wateringly early time of doors (all together now… fuck you Islington Academy disco!) we’re happy to witness the entirety of the main band’s performance… and what a performance it is.
There’s a fascinating feel to tonight’s show, halfway between arcane rite and ale-addled celebration. Healthily packed, Islington Academy’s stage is draped with the headliners’ now distinctive Octopus symbol, and as the band take to the stage it seems obvious that no opportunity to utilize this distinctive iconography has been passed up, even their matching ties emblazoned with the logo (as is the merch guy’s outfit, as we discover later). A strong image is all well and good but it would be of scant use if they couldn’t do justice to the new record, and we’re glad to report that the Mancunian prog-metallers don’t disappoint. Expanding to a four-piece for live shows has really paid off for them and as their newly filled-out sound rings through the venue the assembled mob are left awestruck, the hypnotic, ethereal grooves of ‘The Wave’ and ‘The Octopus’ grabbing listeners by the necks and thrusting them head-first into an eerie musical universe.
Given the average length of their songs it’s not surprising that the band can’t bring out all of the tracks we want to hear in the space of one set, but we’re happy to hear some of our favourites from their latest opus, the disquieting ‘Golden Ratio’ and sumptuous ‘White Horses At Sea’ sitting comfortably next to older cuts like ‘Motorhead’ and ‘UFOs’. Encoring with ‘Airbourne’, the band finish on a high note, and leave us all wanting more. It’s been a masterful display from one of the nation’s best cult acts, and we’ll wager they’ve got plenty more up their sleeves for 2012. Watch this space indeed.
Review by Rob Sayce
