Coal Chamber - Are back at full strength!!!

May 31st 2015

London, Koko, UK

****3/4

Coal Chamber bring you the hottest gig of the month!!!

Coal Chamber ****3/4 you never thought you would see a line-up this strong in the UK, this is the kind of concert you see advertised in American listings. But yes tonight was your chance to see Coal Chamber, SOiL, The Defiled and Dope all on the same bill. Well you can see it if you where one of the lucky ones to get a ticket, because this show has been Sold Out!!! for months. So many people have been waiting to see the Californian Nu-Metal band since 2003 when they split up on stage in a very public argument.

The Coal Chamber line-up is the same as the 'Dark Days' era one so Yes! Nadja Peulen on bass, and she looks like she has fitted back into place like she never left. She takes the place of touring bassist Chela Rhea Harper, who a lucky few people in the UK might have seen playing with the band at the Metal Hammer, Golden Gods or the Download festival.

Opening with their first single 'Loco', which must be a huge favourite and a blast from the past for most people in attendance. But then again Coal Chamber have been gathering a load of new fans, kids that have found out about Coal Chamber's music through Dez's band DevilDriver or YouTube. Or simply finding the bands albums in their brothers or sisters collection. If you have watched any program on monster trucks or that is based on trucks, then you probably heard 'Big Truck' being played in the background.

This little simple ditty is a little ridiculous but fun at the same time, and has become over the years a anthem for Coal Chamber. You have to say Coal Chamber have come a long way as musicians from the earlier albums, so when they play new song 'I.O.U. Nothing' you realise that Meegs guitar work on the new album is simply genius. I have to say I am not a big fan of the video for this single, but it really is one of the standout tracks on their new album 'Rivals'.

It's fast and has an edge of chaos, that just gives the band scope to enhance their performance onstage. 'Fiend' was the stand out track from 'Dark Days' and it sounds even better in a live environment. This was also one of the first tracks that Nadja really came into life with, and you really can see her love for performing it live. 'Rowboat' and 'Something told Me' have stood the test of time and have regular outings on the live circuit, but it's 'Clock' that really brings out audience participation with the crowd doing the hands of a clock all steady in time... going back and forth.

Dez's use of a giant megaphone on various tracks really makes interesting sounds in the bands set and Meegs use of a Theramin and other strange instruments is just marvelous to watch. The determination that Dez Fafara puts into track 'Drove', makes you not believe that he is fourty nine years on. He puts to shame singers in their twenties and makes you really look up to him and the fact he is still going strong. 'Not Living' is one of only two tracks played tonight of the bands brilliant second album 'Chamber Music', which was not loved by all Coal Chamber fans. But for me is one of their most interesting albums to date and probably the one I play the most, so I think this record is so underrated.

'Dark Days' is eerie and a dark and shows off a different side to the Coal Chamber story, but not everyone in the venue knows it as well as they should do. 'I' is one of the best songs in the bands set and I think the band really enjoy doing this one live. I think it's a shame you don't get to hear more of the new album live, because their are some great songs on it. But 'Rivals' off it sounds great, it is one of the slower tracks on the album of the same name and really stands out when you listen to it.

I also think it has so many hidden depth to it that I don't think come across as well live. 'No Home' also off 'Chamber Music' is a rare delight and I am so glad they have added it to the set. I totally love when you see everyone mouthing the words to 'Oddity', a song that really makes you feel part of the Coal Chamber live experience. Mikey "Bug" Cox steady timing on this song is quite something to watch, and shows you why he is still considered as one of the best drummers in modern Metal to this day.

Dez announces that Coal Chamber do not do encores and they break into a quick version of their mega hit 'Sway'... "The Roof!!! The Roof!!! The Roof!!! is on fire!". Then the crow just go crazy and the room turns into complete carnage, showing that Coal Chamber are a band that have never truly gone away. I think you will see Coal Chamber back in the UK very soon, so don't worry if you missed them this time because you will have your chance again soon. Coal Chamber still know how to put on a great live show and they have not lost any of their stage presence over the years, so I would strongly recommend you see them.