9Blind: Live @ Camden Underworld

'We're 9Blind'

Those unacquainted with the North London rock band were served the briefest of introductions before the four-piece lunged headlong into their opening salvo of all new tracks, played in celebration of the 'Union EP' that had been uploaded to stream earlier in the week, ahead of its forthcoming official release.

Those that have followed 9Blind and contributed to their ongoing success had already familiarised themselves with the likes of Sincere Regards and Deleted Scenes, avoiding potentially embarrassing scenes of eager crowds shuffling awkwardly to dreaded 'new songs'.

The tracks played from the EP held no real surprises, and I doubt their fans would have it any other way, a change of direction would have been unwelcome, soaring guitars, drums being pounded into submission and vocals that flit from a screamo tendency to heartfelt and rousing singing are all part of the 9Blind signature sound that stands firm and these new songs bolster an already impressive arsenal of metal standards.

The wrapping up of new tracks laid out for those gathered was quickly followed by a diversionary blast through The Killers' Mr Brightside, given a testosterone injection and cranked up to 11 so that all the indie sheen falls away, leaving a chugging, metal monstrosity of a cover version.  And the singalongs continued with a brief clutch of familiar tracks plucked from last year's Negative Response To Change rounded out the night, headed up by my personal favourite, My Heart Bleeds.

One lowly drunk's careless and selfish moshing sadly halted the band whilst he was quickly ejected by the close-knit North London Bromance Core that follow 9Blind, this hold-up, combined with over-running supports and an impending clubnight in the same venue vastly truncated the headline set.

Having time for just two more songs before having to leave the stage, the evening was a joyful exhibition of a band's creations, though also troubled by minor inconveniences along the way, the most inconvenient of all being that physical copies of the EP that was due to be launched this very night, was sadly unavailable due to unforeseen circumstances.

Watching a band that hail from the same suburb as I do, facing such adversity when given an opportunity to shine is frustrating, but it is rewarding to watch 9Blind admirably battle on regardless.

credit where it's due:

photos courtesy of Chris Lawrence (DotCLP)

glasswerk review roundup: august

as we bid adieu to the month of august i thought perhaps i should point you off in the directions of the various reviews that i have cultivated for glasswerk and have a quick recap of what they have had me listening to.

and to be honest, this month just gone i have mostly been listening to Crystal Fighters.  With a re-release for their album and standout single Plage both coming out early in August, and both of them arriving for me to review i must admit that i really can't get enough of their monumental dose of uplifting energy that takes its cues from so many disparate sources and filters both spanish folk music and bass-heavy dance music into perfect summertime listening.

Plage single review here.

Star Of Love album review here.

  stream Plage by Crystal Fighters

I was also lucky enough to get my name down to see the sold-out solo gig from Scroobius Pip as he worked his way through his debut album live infront of an audience for the very first time, some fans may have walked away disappointed that the setlist was entirely void of Dan le Sac collaborations, but the new material showcased held it's own without falling back on past glories and showed a much heavier side musically than was present on Angles and The Logic Of Chance.

Scroobius Pip live review here.



less impressive and hardly worth a mention was the album Veritas by Alex Skolnick Trio, which was practically a jazz-metal fusion album made for dinner parties.

by a strange twist of fate, my 9blind article also debuted on glasswerk before hitting this blog, and tonight I shall be attending the album launch of Gazelle Twin, whose album The Entire City, i reviewed for glasswerk in June.

  stream Gazelle Twin - The Entire City

9Blind

It is nigh impossible to be acquainted with Enfield's burgeoning music scene and not be aware of 9Blind.

Whilst other local bands have come and gone, 9Blind, despite their fresh faces, are something of stalwarts in the game.

In the days when Myspace was still a blossoming social network and the first stop for anything and everything music, 9Blind were one of the first local bands to make themselves known to me when I launched the Enfield Music profile in an attempt to gather together all our musical hopes and spread the word on gig news, this then resulted in their first featured article in The Enfield Advertiser by my predecessor, Deano Sharp, whilst they were still a small 3 piece band known for putting on backroom gigs at the Bush Hill Park Tavern.

Since then they've really devoted themselves to the cause, adding an extra member and making serious noise hitting up venues in and around London, forming a fervent following as they went that lead to the recording and release of 4 eargerly awaited tracks in 2009, known as the Immune EP.

And things have been on the up and up ever since, in early 2010 the fourpiece took to the studio to put together their debut, full length album, A Negative Response To Change, which was an instant fan favourite when shared amongst their fanbase last April.

The overwhelming response to the quality of songs on display has seen the boys signed and added to the roster of strikes 12 records, taking the album to a wider audience as it launched across major music download platforms.

As time marches on, so have 9Blind and their 'North London Bromance Core', taking 2011 by storm by maintaining their gigging ethic and holing themselves up in Milton Keynes to record the forthcoming Union EP.

Such is the devotion shown to the band, that I have seen followers all clad in 9blind tees, witnessed gigs where the crowd sing back every word, and even met a couple of fans that are so inspired by the band that they are now bearing 9Blind tatoos for the rest of their lives.

The launch of 'Union' shall be heralded with a headlining gig at The Underwold in Camden, with support from fellow Enfield boys Deeds Of The Dying this coming Saturday, September 3rd.

stream: 9BlinD - Promises