Arriving slightly later than planned, we get there just as the final chords of Red Seas Fire ring out. Seemingly a good performance for the sizeable crowd at such an early point in the show, the enthusiasm is kept topped up with arrival of Xerath. Their brand of orchestral prog metal, is always going to be trying in a live setting. Unfortunately tonight the mix is incredibly flat, leaving the band packing much less of a punch than usual. However that doesn’t mean that the material isn’t fantastic!
The band confidently launch into “False History” a fantastic song in its own right, with the singer demanding that everyone has a sore neck the morning after with the attack of “2053“. Again another song that is performed admirably but the sound let’s these guys down. Often with the orchestral arrangements being bogged down, to the point that it just sounds messy. However a triumphant set of “Machine Insurgency” and “Sentinels” leave the crowd largely more engaged than when the band first stepped on the stage. An admirable performance, mired only by the intermittent sound. It’s also worth mentioning that the band need a rhythm guitar to keep that groove going, otherwise the musicality can get convoluted, particularly with the demanding instrumental ability.
Now, Periphery seem to be a band that are always a support act. Having sold out tonights performance in minutes the packed out Islington Academy is eagerly awaiting the bands arrival. It makes you wonder why the band doesn’t tour as headliners. Coming off a tour in support of The Devin Townsend Project, this off date is packed with anticipation. With this being the first taster of new monolith Juggernaut, the double album Juggernaut : Alpha and Juggernaut : Omega are arguably some of the bands best work, it’s also some of the trickiest to get right live. Opening the set with what seemed to be “Icarus Lives” we’re then gleefully shown Periphery‘s infectious humour as we’re segued into Rick Astley‘s “Never Gonna Give You Up“, April fools!
These are merely trifling matters as the band launch into the set with the real “Icarus Lives” which has the entire room pulsating to that riff. Though its when the band begin to delve into Juggernaut that we see the true talent the band share. Tonight Periphery function exactly as a band should, with the intricate details of “The Scourge” building up the energy before being dispelled through Spencer Sotelo‘s absolutely flawless pipes. The unanimity of the band is what truly makes Periphery not only strong contenders in studio but live, with frontman Sotelo commanding the audience to his whim whilst respective guitarists dazzle when needed. Mark Holcomb‘s solo in “The Bad Thing” a particular highlight, yet it wasn’t overshadowed by Jake Bowen‘s “22 Faces” lead lines. Knowing exactly what is going on both in the song and on the stage the band are unstoppable. Often with the case of bands that rely so much on modern day production, the live act can fall by the way side blistering through “Alpha” and the thundering ferocity of “Graveless“.
However the “man of the match” so to speak, goes to the light tech. The seventh member of the band, is incredibly important. Setting the atmosphere for the concept charged record, the lights mimic the polyrhtmic bounces in perfect timing. “Psychosphere” is added a haunting accuracy. Treated with an absolutely enormous “Scarlet” the entire room screams. Though the lights lend a sense of malfunction perfectly for finale “Masamune” where all hell breaks loose both on and off stage. Looking like a scene inside a machine that is being slowly but surely broken down, the lights are choreographed phenomenally to movements of both band and music.
Periphery have always been innovative, creating their first album they imprinted their impact on the metal scene. Returning with the second, they showed they most certainly are not a one trick pony. Releasing Clear, an EP that was intriguing, giving each track its own members identity to finally Juggernaut. The double album is ambitious for even the most seasoned of bands. Periphery are constantly reinventing themselves whilst never losing a sense of identity. Though listening to the monolithic Juggernaut : Alpha and Omega is a tour de force in its own right. If the performance the band displayed tonight is just an indication of the band’s potential then not even Cain Marko himself could stop them.
