Nazarite Vow, Mission InMotion @ Fowlers Live,Adelaide (12/07/08)

Mon 14th Jul, 2008 in Gig Reviews

Having just released their second EP A Curse, A Calling, Sydney’s The Mission In Motion ventured to Adelaide to present their new material. I have previously had the privilege of interviewing lead singer Brett Islaub and listen to the new EP before its official release.

There’s no doubt that these guys have what it takes when it comes to the art of song crafting, but now I wanted to see if their music could make the jump from the recording studio to the stage.

Their set list mainly consisted of their latest tracks with some older ones from their first EP, The Window, also thrown in for good measure. They did play the songs as they are on the EP, however they failed to make an impression on the crowd. Something just didn’t feel right about the performance, whether the guys were exhausted from touring, or they just weren’t feeling it from the audience I can’t say.

Suffice to say the band dynamic wasn’t there and there was no real energy or enthusiasm in their performance. Furthermore they didn’t appear to have any power over the audience, maybe it was the crowds fault or maybe it was the bands fault, but either way their was no connection between the audience and the band.

Although The Mission In Motions live show wasn’t fantastic, the boys do have plenty of talent that is displayed on their EP’s. Now they just need to concentrate on making the transition from the studio to a live show.

The band everyone was waiting for with exhilaration and glee was none other than Adelaide’s own Nazarite Vow. The five piece rock/screamo band has built up a loyal fan base in their hometown, ensuring they get a good turn out at every local gig. Saturday night was no exception with everyone abandoning their previous positions in front of the bar to see the band up close.

Dan Casey lived up to his title as lead singer shouting commands at the crowd. He told them to move so they moved, he threw the microphone into the crowd instructing the audience to sing so fans jumped over each other in an effort to be heard.

Nazarite Vow may only be a relatively new band but they know what they are doing, asserting dominance over the crowd and mesmerising them with tracks off their EP Freedom Isn’t Free At All which was released last year. The energy that they exuded was electric, making the crowd go ballistic from the first song.

Watching certain members of the audience dance to the guitar and drum heavy music was incredibly entertaining, and slightly hilarious, as they would abruptly break out in a psychotic trance throwing punches and kicks into the air.

Apparently we aren’t the only ones who fallen under Nazarite Vows spell as they have managed to score supporting slots with America’s Escape The Fate and Melbourne’s Closure In Moscow, making them the band to watch.