LIVE REVIEW: Run Zeus Run @ The Black Heart, London

Celebrating the launch of their latest single The Great Escape, Greek, London-based outfit RUN ZEUS RUN have brought their brand of pop-rock to the legendary Black Heart. 

First though, are openers THE MOLOTOVS, whose snotty Brit Rock makes abundantly clear they may have got the memo about it falling out of style but that they couldn’t care less. Channelling the spirit of every mid-2000s to early 2010s band that started their name with “The”, they barrel through a set that’s full of vocals custom designed for singing along drunkenly to and packing enough energy to power the bar for most of the evening. It’s not the most original music but they bring a youthful exuberance to it that ups the fun factor a lot further than you’d expect. Maybe we’re far enough removed from 2010s indie being inescapable to be reminded of its quirks and just how quintessentially British it was, maybe it’s the trio throwing themselves into it with every fibre of their being and maybe it’s also just how 2010s the band look. Whatever it is, THE MOLOTOVS start the evening on a sure footing.

Rating: 7/10

NATELLE by contrast, sport cut off METALLICA tees and straddle the line between American hard rock and classic heavy metal. They also make the bold choice of covering GUNS N ROSES‘ It’s So Easy on just their second song; though admittedly they do have the advantage in being able to turn up on stage on time. There’s heckles for their frontman to take his top off that throws them off more than once, that’s more than a little frustrating and threatens to derail the evening. Not helping is the seemingly required ballad that’s dedicated to people in distant relationships. Instead it’s the crowd that’s distant, mostly talking amongst themselves throughout the admittedly contrived number. There’s promise here, though. Should the band tighten up the riffs and get some more road mileage under their belt – as well as reining in the covers and cover medleys – they could be more interesting and engaging than they currently are. 

Rating: 5/10

To call tonight’s bill “eclectic” is certainly fitting, especially when RUN ZEUS RUN unload their pop-rock assault on the ears. They’ve got a whopping two singles released so far – one of which is the reason for tonight’s shindig. The set is frustrated a little by unintentional screeches of feedback that set teeth on edge, but the band don’t seem to let it faze them, determined to get the crowd singing, clapping and moving. They’re certainly dressed to impress, from a pink mohawk and matching guitar strap to ludicrous white shades that scream 80s fun, and that bleeds into their music. Sitting somewhere between the later pop-rock of YOU ME AT SIX with occasional forays into the modern metalcore of ARCHITECTS, it’s a mis geared towards fun and crowd engagement.

Both of those they’ve got in spades, the now-swollen crowd are having a blast, screaming approval and dancing with abandon. Their frontman jumps into the crowd to invite even more dancing and mayhem, something the crowd are only too happy to oblige – even on a Tuesday evening, the energy levels are threatening the roof. Both their released singles, and the unreleased material they gleefully tear through, show a band very much on the ascent with a real hunger to not only prove themselves but also give as many people a good time as they possibly can. Keep an eye on this lot, and definitely see them live if you want a raucous good time. 

Rating: 8/10

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