HAVE HEART/VERSE/SHIPWRECK/THE RIVER CARD – LONDON CAMDEN UNDERWORLD (25/8/08) - A SHORT FANZINE ABOUT ROCKING REVIEW

It's been a while since a hardcore touring package this good came to the UK, and it was no surprise the Underworld was already filling up nicely as Stoke-on-Trent's THE RIVER CARD came on. Obviously excited to be opening up for such a strong line-up, they display a confidence and power that was perhaps lacking last time I saw them, a year earlier. With a set that's packed with serrated, choppy riffing and classy, powerful growled vocals, there's a real oomph and energy that impresses, and marks The River Card out as a real bright hope on the UK hardcore scene. SHIPWRECK AD are a darker proposition that tonight's two other remaining bands, but their fierce brand of coruscating, aggressive hardcore is still packed with energy, and that transfers to the pit where things go decidedly crazy. Maybe not reaching the heights of their 'Abyss' album, released earlier this year, they're still pretty damn awesome, and set things up nicely for VERSE. By all accounts, this lot are one of the hottest properties in hardcore right now, and its no surprise when the pit goes ten shades of mental, with hordes of kids straining to grab the mike and shout along to a set that's heavy on passion and power, but perhaps lacks momentum. Singer Sean's between-song diatribes are certainly worthy, but they do break up the set, and just slightly blunt the explosive edge of what's still a damn good performance. But, good as Verse are, they're not quite as jaw-droppingly amazing as Boston's HAVE HEART. With two full-lengths under their belts now, the band have more of a mix of fast-paced and slow-burning numbers than they used to, but even when they take their foot off the pedal, it still manages to sound supremely intense, with conviction dripping from every single word singer Pat Flynn passionately rings forth. While their roots may lie in old-school hardcore, songs like 'Armed With A Mind' and 'Machinist' are some of the freshest, most vibrant examples of the genre you could hope to hear, and the passion displayed both on and off-stage never drops throughout an awe-inspiring set. They're back in November, don't miss them.