LIVE REVIEW: Heck + Black Peaks @ The Fleece, Bristol

Whilst both already being well versed in touring, it has been this year that has allowed both BLACK PEAKS and HECK to truly come into their own. Having both released debuts this year to roaring success and an equally triumphant summer festival run, it’s time for these two upstarts to hit the road for their very own co-headliner.

Opening for two of the most exciting live acts of the past few years is no easy task, and as such THIS BE THE VERSE fall dreadfully flat. The aggressive tambourine playing from the frontman does somewhat detract from the riffs that often rear their heads. The performance isn’t short of passion, as the energetic frontman does dance around the stage but the vibes do not translate across to the audience, as they all stand motionless waiting for the headliners.

Rating: 4/10

With the order in which the co-headliners play being decided on the night, Bristol gets the visceral assault of HECK first up. There is a reason this band are quickly becoming infamous on the circuit as their chaotic live set has absolutely no rules at all. The crowd erupts the moment Mope kicks into its post-hardcore-groove and proves that in amongst the scattershot compositions there are moments of genuine song writing. Powerboat Disaster is a great highlight but it’s when parts of the barricade begin floating round the crowd and band members are playing on the bar and it becomes difficult to keep up with what’s going on, as guitars also begin to cut out and microphones start to stop working. Regardless of what you make of their scattershot live performance, HECK embrace the chaos and are one of the most unpredictable live acts in the world.

Rating: 7/10

It’s not difficult to understand just why BLACK PEAKS supported DEFTONES after releasing their debut Statues. The post-hardcore brilliance the four-piece produce went down an absolute treat and it translates tremendously well to the stage. Opening with White Eyes the crowd are immediately enthralled as the band begin to take everyone on a commanding journey through the best bits of their debut. Saviour, Say You Will and Drones are all epic as per usual and the colossal Glass Built Castles sends the room into a spinning fury and proves why BLACK PEAKS are one of the most promising new prospects of the British music scene. They are tight and sound scarily alike to their recorded performance, despite a few issues with sound drowning out a few of the calmer moments of their sound. At the end of the day, if you live British music and haven’t seen either of these acts live you should rectify it immediately.

Rating: 8/10