Recovery is a peculiar affair, sometimes taking weeks, months or even years. Psychological or otherwise sometimes recovery is beyond the means of the subject. Releasing what was deemed one of James Hetfield’s favourite records of 2015, Baroness released their obstimate aneighbors ever so slightly tainted cry that was Purple. Not having toured the UK since before their incident, the return of these fuzz kings is particularly poignant.
[date]March 1st 2016[/date]
[venue]Koko[/venue]
[city]London[/city]
Tonight we see the band’s multicoloured musical feast arrive at London’s Koko after the line of punters of which one was lucky enough to have found Baroness‘ scavenger hunt purple ticket moves inside the night is underway! Immediately Camden’s Koko is buzzing with anticipation for the arrival of the band. Not to mention it being yours truly’ first time seeing the band.
After quick DIY setting up the lights turn that magical purple, house lights dim and the fuse is lit. Bounding out to a heroes welcome the band open with Purple number “Kerosene” igniting tonight’s audience into a smile filled frenzy. As predicted Baizley’s powerful, with a hint of melancholy, vocals ring through the venue tonight bringing a sense that the man is in tune not only with band mates bug the audience themselves. Instrumentation from guitarist Peter Adams is performed with aplomb navigating those tongue twisters of licks, that perhaps might seem simplistic yet coupled with the frenetic energy of the song can be laden with pitfalls. All the while grounded with the rhythmic thump of Sebastian Thomson. As the lights subtly move to a golden yellow and “March To The Sea” begins its quaint harmony the band once again burst into energy on stage. Back to back playing is the order of the day as the band smile ear to ear with the Koko tonight being just as receptive.
Though the band might be comfortable with making audience dance they can most definitely make them move. “Morningstar” welcomes one of the heaviest tracks performed tonight with its slight stop start riffing sees the sold out Koko moving in waves. Seamlessly moving into yet another Purple number the psychedelic bathing of “Shock Me” is easily an early highlight for fans here tonight. For those who might not have be familiar with the band, the simple yet effective change of lighting to relevant album creates an easy to follow and artistic memory technique. Not that there are many who aren’t already fiercely familiar with the band tonight our downstairs section is packed to the rafters of fans. After depriving the band of their previous double album release Yellow and Green the two secondary colours crop up tonight with “Board Up The House” followed later by sweet “Cocainum” and bathing “Eula” making for a poignant segue into the night’s encore.
Baroness somehow seem to be adrift on their own course navigniting the depths of sadness wherein lies their beauty. Consisting largent of new material it’s at last fitting that the band have the opportunity to reap the rewards for their painstaking hard work which was so criminally snatched from them upon their last appearance on the British Isles. Returning to the stage with Red Album classic of “Isak” the band are truly humbled by the amount of adoring faces here tonight, not just for the band’s incredible return to form with their lavender new offering but for Baroness’ defiant cry that they have survived, the band may have been bruised but wounds heal and tonight you are seeing a band that has not only recovered but has returned more defiant than ever, celebrating the joie de vie after their brush with catastrophe, Baroness are on absolutely phenomenal form both in a live setting and in the studio. Not only have the band recovered but returned better, stronger and in every way superior, truly brilliant.
