Kill The Power Tour

Skindred, SOiL and Viza

Manchester Academy

February 2nd, 2014

Last night took us to the Academy at Manchester to see one of the most unique bands that I have ever had the pleasure of hearing, but before the main event we were treated to sets from Viza and Soil.

Viza are an unusual bunch of guys from LA, consisting of six metal looking guys, an oud and some very questionable dance moves.

Viza have a very international sound to them which is also reflected in lead singer K'noup's dance moves, as some seem to have a greek influence while other have a more bollywood style.  Making up the rest of the band are Orbel on electric guitar/harmonica/vocals, Shant on electric guitar, Andrew on the oud, Alex on bass and Chris on drums and percussion.

Their music is very upbeat and mixes international sounds with traditional metal.  However you choose to describe them musically they really know how to get a crowd moving.

I will be searching the internet to find out more of these and hopefully find their music as I am intrigued to learn more about these guys, as I have never heard anything like this before.

Next up were SOiL, a band that I first encountered at Sonisphere in 2009.

Singing songs that spanned their 17 year career, they got the mosh pit racing and the crowd jumping and singing.  Songs to note included 'The Hate Song', 'Shine Down' and 'Black Betty', which had the whole crowd singing along.

Closing with crowd favourite 'Halo', which Ryan sang from the mosh pit, SOiL left the stage to thunderous applause.

As soon as the stage had been re-set the Academy was plunged into darkness before the stage lit up in a rhythmic light show to the sound of AC/DC's 'Thunderstruck'.

If you have never experienced Skindred before it is safe to say that you will be amazed by the show. I know the first time I experienced them, again at Sonisphere 2009, I was stopped in my tracks in amazement.  

Skindred hail from Newport in South Wales and is made up of Benji Webbe on vocals, Mikey Demus on Guitar, Daniel Pugsley on bass and Arya Goggin on drums.  As Benji puts it 'four brothers and a prodigal son'.

One thing that is instantly noticeable about Skindred is that they don't have the typical Welsh sound as Skindred are a unique crossover of metal and reggae. 

Older songs in tonight's set included 'Nobody', 'Pressure', 'Doom Riff', and my personal favourite 'Stand For Something', the song that stopped me in my tracks five years ago.

They also played a selection of songs from their new album including the title track 'Kill The Power', as well as 'Worlds On Fire' and 'Ninja'.

Half way through the set we were treated a musical interlude which incorporated Arya on drums and DJ Dan Sturgess, featuring 'Intergalactic' by the Beastie Boys, 'Jump Around' by House of Pain and 'Don't Stop Me Now' by Queen to name but a few of the featured songs.

By the time Skindred left the stage to prepare for their encore it was already quarter of an hour over curfew, but they returned to the stage to do a couple more songs and to finish with 'Warning' and the now infamous 'Newport Helicopter'. For Skindred newbies the Newport Helicopter is a sight to behold!  During the song Benji instructs the audience to remove a piece of clothing and hold it still in the air, then when Benji reaches four you wave it around your head like a helicopter propeller.  We were lucky enough to be sat on the balcony and see the Newport Helicopter in all its glory and the sight of 2,000 t shirts being spun in the air really is an amazing sight.

Skindred really are unique and I defy anyone to go and see one of their shows and not come away totally buzzing!