Opening band The Seduction (perhaps named for the He Is Legend song) warmed up the gathered with some formulaic growl-core with the expected bottom-feeding vocals over chugging chords. It’s reminiscent of an old car that has lost its muffler. There was already quite a large crowd in the room, a benefit of a hardcore gig- fans come for the whole show and not just the headliners.
Responder was up next with melodic rock and a hint of power pop, which gave off serious Foo Fighters vibes while also reminding me of Copeland for some reason. I think it had to do with the singer’s clear voice over crunchy yet crisp chords, like milk being poured over dry sugary cereal, in the best possible way.
The Amity Affliction from Brisbane were the support for the whole tour and I was quite impressed with their set – my first Amity experience. I’d previously missed their set when they supported Underoath earlier this year, but tonight I realised that was OK, since Amity seem to model themselves on said band. The similarities were obvious – the synth and electronic loops, the power pop hooks, the two singers. Good band, very skilled, very scene. When Panic! At The Disco says “Make us it, make us hip, make us scene”, this is what they’re on about.
Amity had lots of fans in this crowd, including a couple of die-hards who shared screams with the band’s singer. It’s evidence of a band going places when they’ve got interstate die-hards.
Finally, He Is Legend took the stage. Frontman Schuyler Croom’s affable personality, combined with a hairy, ‘wild man of the south’ look endeared him to the crowd. This guy’s Southern personality is so laid back and relaxed that us Aussies can relate. Think Jack Black from School of Rock and imagine he’s actually in a good band and matured.
The band is very tight – competent and skilled lead guitar, strong rhythm section and plenty of sweet sections featured as the whole band rocked back and forth in sync to the beat. Their sound is a hell of a lot heavier live than on record. I wore earplugs and my ears were still ringing afterwards. Disappointingly, their poppier hooks don’t usually end up that way live, but equally enjoyable were Croom’s antics of getting up close and personal with the punters up the front.
Older song The Seduction was a crowd favourite, with Croom playing the showman as he pranced around the stage like a madman. It was followed by Stampede, one of the more violent episodes for the moshpit, complete with 80s pop metal licks and later-period fake stops.
Their set ended with a psychedelic space-out, built by driving bass and skittish guitar to deliver a massive climax. The band returned for an encore, the final song being the favourite I Am Hollywood which capped off a full-on set. This is a band that is only going to get better and bigger. He Is Legend? Perhaps they are legend. Or will be.
