Alexisonfire @ MetropolisFremantle, Perth (13/10/10)

Sat 16th Oct, 2010 in Gig Reviews

It can often be heard from the mouth of any number of individuals that bands “never come to Perth” and that we miss out on many of the quality acts that choose only to tour the Eastern States. This year however we have been extremely lucky, it being the second time Canadian Rockers Alexisonfire have visited our state, only six months after their mind blowing mid afternoon Soundwave set back in March. The massive line out the front of Metro Fremantle that formed more than an hour before doors has opened indicated that tonight’s shows was going to be a spectacle. Playing a set that spanned their entire career, Alexisonfire’s performance could not be described as anything other than flawless.

The venue filled to capacity within moments of doors opening, although the band could have played a much larger venue Metro Fremantle provided the perfect atmosphere with the room buzzing before local boys Break Even had even taken the stage. 2010 has been a huge year for Break Even, a European Tour, numerous national shows as well as being announced for the up coming No Sleep Till Tour. Whilst tonight’s set was not their tightest it didn’t deter the band’s energy on stage, pintsized frontman Mark Bawden did not stand still for more than 5 seconds during the entire set. Tracks The Truth and Set closer November 18th went over extremely well with the crowd and the band has no doubt added to their already formidable fan base over the course of this tour.

Chants of “Alexis” went up almost straight after Break Even left the stage, leading to an agonizing 25 minute wait for the crowd, only building up the anticipation among the masses. The boys took to the stage with massive applause as well as the standard ‘OH MY GOD I LOVE YOU DALLAS!” chants from some female audience members. Opener Young Cardinals from 2009’s Old Crows Young Cardinals sent the crowd into a fury with a deafening sing along from the audience during the chorus.

The band too seemed to be enjoying themselves, casually chatting with the crowd between songs. Blasting into the likes of crowd favorites Boiled Frogs and Drunks, Lovers, Sinners and Saints from 2006’s Crisis they could not put a foot wrong, Dallas Green’s voice was exceptional and screamer George Pettit completely owned the stage. The band previewed the title track to their upcoming EP Dogs Blood, which presented a much harder edge than many expected more reminiscent of the bands earlier work. Punters were more than happy to embrace the new material, an encouraging sign for the Canadian outfit who show no signs of slowing down their exponentially mounting success.

Beginning their encore with a dynamic cover of Midnight Oil’s The Dead Heart, laden with delayed guitar and complimentary three way harmonies the band showed their true versatility. Finishing the night with Accidents that beautifully morphed into a haunting rendition of Happiness by the Kilowatt both from 2005’s breakthrough Watch Out! Alexisonfire left the crowd standing in complete awe and amazement. It was one of those rare occasions where everything just worked perfectly, the set choice, the execution on the band’s part, the intimacy of the venue all added up to a once in a lifetime performance that will not be forgotten by anybody present.