LIVE REVIEW: Stray From The Path @ The Asylum, Birmingham

As STRAY FROM THE PATH‘s stock in the hardcore scene continues to thicken – their music has become as important as their message. The four piece have had a transparent, commendable message since day one – but it’s undeniable more people are listening now than ever before. Birmingham’s Asylum Venue played host to the bands savage output on an evening that saw the quartet affirm their place at the apex of hardcore.

Alabama’s GIDEON open the night to a modestly sized crowd that eventually (and deservedly) swells tenfold. The sickeningly low tuning of Bite Down puts a wrench in your stomach, while the radiant clean guitar lines on Take Me sound as captivating live as they do on new record Out Of Control. The talking point behind the band as of late revolves around their decision to leave their religion behind their musical output – but it shouldn’t be. If their new album hadn’t already convinced you: GIDEON are a vital stitch in the seam of hardcore.

Rating: 8/10

LOATHE‘s set is a bitter pill to swallow though. Hounded by sound issues – the Liverpudlian’s hands were tied for a majority of their stage time. You wouldn’t know it judging from the crowd’s reaction however, and even though Kadeem France‘s vocals were nigh-on absent for 60% of their set – the band’s earth shattering guitar tone creates a crowd kill frenzy. Normal service managed to be resumed for crowd favourite White Hot, which rounded off a difficult situation for LOATHE with a punch of quality – but you can’t help feeling aggrieved that a band of LOATHE‘s potential weren’t able to stretch their legs here.

Rating: 6/10

Metalcore titans turned post-hardcore expansion crew THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA encounter sound issues of their own, though they’re not quite as discernible as their predecessor’s. Opening, and classic track Danger: Wildman sounds as pummelling as ever, and the opening effervescent riff of Assistant To The Regional Manager causes a stir of singalongs and air guitar gestures across the venue. Even though tracks from the band’s latest work The Act like Chemical and Lines Of Your Hands struggle to fit into tonight’s atmosphere; this is an undoubtedly solid performance under the circumstances.

Rating: 6/10

The truth is, by this point STRAY FROM THE PATH aren’t out to convince new faces of their worth – this is all about confirming their legacy. And when the four piece come bursting out the traps with Fortune Teller and The Opening Move, you can’t help but be wax lyrical about the power this band possess. There’s something about the venom in Drew York‘s splicing vocal lines that instantaneously cause a chain reaction of crowd aggression, and when this backed up by guitarist Tom Williams relentless, full scale riff attack: it’s impossible to not be in awe.

As you’d expect, Drew takes moments to discuss what’s important to the band – telling you, you can feel at home here, and to rise above the poison in modern society. This is standard verbiage for a STRAY FROM THE PATH show but nevertheless – the band’s make up is so entrenched in their desire for a better world, you follow their lead anyway.

You can literally feel the ground shake for the titanic break downs of Goodnight Alt-Right and Second Death, and when the band suddenly drop into a Killing In The Name medley, it’s confirmation that STRAY FROM THE PATH are truly unlike any other proposition in hardcore. There were no frills necessary here, this was a band at the top of their game, armed by their best album to date, putting on a show that sums up why they’re so far ahead of the competition.

STRAY FROM THE PATH are a band that have more than paid their dues and they’ve been pleased to do so. But as you see them stand proudly on stage tonight, knowing that they have a near capacity crowd eating out of their hands at every segment it becomes clear: the STRAY FROM THE PATH destiny has been realised. Fall in line.

Rating: 9/10

Check out our photo gallery from the night’s action in Birmingham from Yasmine Summan here: