Asking Alexandria - An explosive night in London

****

Give Shinedown a run for their money!!! 

Asking Alexandria **** are one of the best British exports in the Metalcore / Emo genre, they hit the London, Wembley, OVO Arena as support to American Rock / Metal giants Shinedown. I have always seen the band on their headline shows, so really am not used to seeing them as a support band. And of course because they are not the main act their set is slightly shorter, than it normally is which is a shame. Because they have not played the UK for a little while now, and they always put on a great performance.

They open up proceedings with 'Alone Again' one of their most recent singles, which you can see the video for at the bottom of this page. The thing about Danny Worsnop and his band of trend setters, is they know that you have to put on a great live show. And everytime I have seen the band they have always done that, with explosions and well timed movements onstage.When Danny left and formed We are Harlot, I really felt the band had lost their identity... even though replacement singer Denis Stoff (Ex-Asking Alexandria / Drag me Out / Ex-Down and Dirty / Ex-Make me Famous / Ex-Origami) had his own thing going. It wasn't that he was bad, it was just that he was different. And a lot of us don't like this much change, and now Danny has been back for a while he has really shown that Asking Alexandria are back to being Asking Alexandria.

You really get good value from this show, with Shinedown, Asking Alexandria and Zero 9:36 an artist I have not really discovered yet. I think there is quite a few people in the crowd, that have come especially out to catch Asking Alexandria. So as they move their arms back and forth for 'The Violence', you realise that this is going to be a great evening. I remember seeing them do 'Into the Fire' live at the London, Brixton, o2 Academy and it's always a high point in the bands set, and it really doesn't disappoint again tonight. I think sadly Asking Alexandria have not had as much press and coverage in the UK in the last few years, and I am not seeing such a buzz about them in the media. And this is a real shame, because they are such an impressive band. That has a sound that appeals to fans of so many genres, they are not just a band for the scene kids.

Asking Alexandria can be brutal, but at the same time have another side to them. The emotional side, and this comes out in the majority of their songs. Like the stadium Rock anthem 'Moving On', which works so well in the Wembley atmosphere. Yes! Wembley is the place you want to hear an anthem, so many big songs really were born live in this place. This song really is their most commercial song, which has an Avenged Sevenfold vibe in places... while keeping still to their style. Another great moment in the set, is a brilliant live rendition of 'Run Free' one of the bands songs that work best live. It has lots of good places for the crowd to get moving, and sing-a-long to, so it really makes a big impact in their set.

But what I have to say I love the most, is their riffs and their beat downs... which have always been a signature sound of the band. Ben Bruce always shows this off with style, so you can see why he is a fan favourite. They embrace this the most in closing number 'The Final Episode (Let's change the Channel)', which is always my favourite in any set by the band. I think I have to say I am old school Asking Alexandria, and even though I like the new material. The older numbers are the ones that really grab my attention, and I have to say I do play them from time to time. If you see Asking Alexandria playing near you, you must go and catch their set. They are a great band, and they never disappoint... and I have to say really did give Shinedown a run for their money.

Review by Ben Glover and Photos by Luca Viola

Asking Alexandria - Setlist
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Alone Again
The Violence
Into the Fire
Someone, Somewhere
Down to Hell
Run Free
Where did it Go?
Moving On
Alone in a Room
The Final Episode (Let's change the Channel)

Check Out! the Video for 'Alone Again' Below...