LIVE REVIEW: Blood Command @ The Deaf Institute, Manchester

Norway’s BLOOD COMMAND have been riding a wave of momentum. Returning with last year’s stellar Praise Armaggedonism, their first introduction to new vocalist Nikki Brumen, and a jaunt across UK’s shores, now, just over a year later, the band come back with the appropriately titled World Domination. Intending to live up to their new album’s namesake, the band are back to conquer the same venue they delighted at last year; The Deaf Institute in Manchester.

With just one support, it’s down to local outfit WAR STRIPES to warm up the crowd for tonight’s headliners and largely they achieve just that. The trio’s unabashed blend of punk is direct and impactful, with the likes of Boris’ House Party (no surprise at what the band are rightfully taking aim at here) and Spitting Teeth translating well in the live environment. Musically tight, with plenty of hooks and flowing rhythms, and enough comrade on stage to keep the crowd entertained, as more and more bodies filed into the venue, WAR STRIPES gave enough in their role as sole support to kick start the night and make sure the stage is set nicely for BLOOD COMMAND.

Rating: 7/10

As we’ve come to expect by now, BLOOD COMMAND thrive in the live environment. Their genre cross-pollination on record is dynamic, but live, it’s simply exhilarating and what follows is a band who are surfing the wave. A double opening barrage of The Band With The Three Stripes and the snotty Heaven’s Hate kickstart the proceedings with aplomb, but The Plague On Both Your Houses, with its thrashing and stomping riffs, sends the crowd into utter bedlam.

From there, the band’s tails are up and the energy never dips. Saturday City‘s mix of synthy pop and punky bounce has the crowd dancing the night away, I Just Want This Movie Ending soothes and croons with its delicious melodies and in Losing Faith, the band showcase their softer side as Brumen and guitarist Yngve Andersen combine in brilliantly.

Speaking of Brumen, she is a bonafide superstar as her dynamic range of vocals lead the line and her stage presence makes it impossible to take your eyes off her as she dances, twerks and crowdsurfs consistently. She is a born performer and flanked by her bandmates in matching Adidas tracksuits, the cult-like presence of BLOOD COMMAND is truly felt.

In a set that flies in a blink of an eye, the band power through a set that is nothing short of a triumph. The material from this year’s World Domination sound stellar in the live arena, especially in a quaint venue like The Deaf Institute, and they have a stage presence that most bands would kill for. Are they on course to achieving World Domination? You’d bet on it.

Rating: 10/10

Check out our photo gallery from the night’s action in Manchester from Sabrina Ramdoyal Photography here: 

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