Asking Alexandria
W/While She Sleeps,
Motionless In White

Brixton Academy 19/01/2013

Words: Jenny Chu

Only half a decade into their career, Asking Alexandria has achieved two studio albums with a third one rolling out this year as well as rubbed music fans and other bands up the wrong way. Nonetheless Asking Alexandria has impacted the music world and tonight is for the better.

With a line up half formed of bands who call England home, the British rock music scene should be full-blown and ultimately proud. 

19:30 has never hit so hard, as Motionless In White raid the stage with destructive and feral heavy hardcore beat downs in tracks like ‘Black Damask’ and ‘Underdog’, letting loose some metal attitude and pouring out contagious melodies like the next winter flu.

Make way for Britain’s best thing since Yorkshire puddings and tea & scones as While She Sleeps take to the stage to the sound of sirens, alerting everyone they are about to witness the scene of something mighty special. As guitarists Mat Welsh and Sean Long encourage the crowd to punch the air to opener ‘Until the Death’, drummer Adam Savage is the backbone for the British five-piece; pulsing wild and untameable beats throughout. While She Sleeps stand as music royalty not even 6 months into the release of their debut full length album ‘This Is The Six’, allowing the Sheffield bunch to achieve something most bands take years mastering. The ever beautifully written ‘Our Courage, Our Cancer’ is delivered without fault. While debut single and title track ‘This Is The Six’ and closing track ‘Seven Hills’ is complete with muscle and life. Despite being a support band tonight they could have easily headlined the show. Sheffield has always been known as Steel-City but While She Sleeps may well be building a new reputation for their hometown.

An explosion of fire ignites from the front of the stage and screams reach an almost unbearable level, by the looks of things the 5k capacity sold out venue is in the presence of Asking Alexandria as they grace the stage. If they seemed like just another band before, tonight they step into the shoes of rock stars. ‘Closure’ opens the arena worthy set, whilst the five-piece from Yorkshire, led by Danny Worsnop, keep their synthesised break downs and signature heavy weight beats close to their hearts. 

Frontman Danny has showmanship skills that send sparks flying as he toys with the idea that Asking Alexandria could claim 2013 theirs. It’s not just the stage presence but the huge stage production including flashy smoke machines and heat from the fire balls, it’s only a matter of time as Danny and co have the sea of fans eating out of the palm of their hands. ‘A Lesson Never Learned’ and ‘Breathless’ off 2011 full length release ‘Reckless & Relentless’ sees the most enraged and turbulent of circle pits spiral out of control, before braving out ‘Not The American Average’ off 2009’s ‘Stand Up And Scream’.

Debuting new track ‘Run Free’, an insight of great things to come, no matter how excessively heavy, is bounded by a chorus that reaches a climax of Asking Alexandria’s unarguably head-turning talent, before a lighter in the air moment. The set tonight, being filmed for the band’s DVD, promised a big show, and not only did they keep to the promise but they produced a show that sets the bar supremely high for future tours. Closing the set with an encore including fan favourite ‘The Final Episode’, for now it seems, this year has gone off to an incredible start.