Of Mice & Men 

Plus: Memphis May Fire,
Secrets

Electric Ballroom, London

10.10.2012

Words: Jenny Chu

Of Mice & Men have had a whirlwind journey this year, impressively packing the main room at Slam Dunk festival and now selling out their London show before taking things across the border to Europe. Sharing the same label as Miss May I and Sleeping With Sirens, the quartet from South California are not only hitting the bench mark but raising the bar for what was Attack Attack!’s lost and Of Mice & Men’s creation of a legendary metalcore meets post hardcore team.

First up to show what they’re made of is Secrets, the post-hardcore/screamo quintet from  California certainly start off quite timid in the stage presence department but they are nothing short of having more potential than your average band in that genre.  They seem to recover their confidence and convey an immaculate scene of heavy guitars that chug their way through an irresistible set without ignoring the soaring combination of melodies from frontman Xander Bourgeois and guitarist Richard Rogers and by the time they’re finished their sound is contagious.

Shadowing Secrets is Memphis May Fire who are deemed phenomenal from the very start.  The almighty storm of beast like vocals from frontman Matty Mullins ranges from seriously hardcore to the fact that the man can actually sing and incredibly well for that matter. Song after song Memphis May Fire come across as hugely outstanding setting their sights on the hardcore hot spot. What the five-piece from Texas has that the other bands in their genre are clearly lacking is some definite punch which can be found in every single tune of theirs. Memphis May Fire redefine rock adding a southern twist matching perfectly with the highpowered energy, aggressive beats yet charismatic attitude that absolutely nobody here tonight can resist. The calm after the storm is in the form of an intense drum solo igniting into the completion of one hell of an astounding performance.

Of Mice & Men are here tonight to prime their sold out show with crunching melodies and fiercely compelling riffs that can be found in ‘OHIOISONFIRE’ and ‘The Flood’.   Tenacious Austin Carlile and co expose their exceptional talent in ‘Let Live’ a crowd favourite. The Californian quartet are masters at live performances, balancing a similar rage of that to Comeback Kid and Parkway Drive, but they manage to make it really easy to appreciate their great sound that is so much more than just heavy noise. Of Mice & Men assures nobody takes metalcore for granted, playing old songs ‘Those In Glass Houses’ and ‘The Ballad of Tommy Clayton &The Rawdawg’ a treat for all those present tonight. Their attempt of the sit down, jump up crowd interaction goes down well and it’s hard to spot a single person not attaining to Austin’s commands. As the frontman takes to the centre of the stage to command circle pits like they were rituals the rest of the mighty mob march on in their monstrous moves flawlessly acquainted by ruthlessly beefy tunes. Filling the room with authority and animosity in the form of ‘Second & Sebring’ off 2010 self-titled debut album, which greatly showcases Austin’s vividly admirable vocals, concluding to a simply brilliant set by a band you should expect to see more off.