Saint Agnes - Welcome to the Church of Agnes

****1/2

Dark and brooding display in London

Saint Agnes ****1/2 over the last few years, have really been making waves. With tracks like 'Sister Electric, The Witching Hour' and 'Diablo, Take me Home', they have really been showing that they are ones to watch. And here at Music Trespass Magazine, we really have not taken our eyes off them. So as they take to the stage at the central London venue, The Borderline... we know that this evening is going to be quite special.

They come to the stage in witchcraft outfits, with upside down crucifixes behind them. This is a band that wants to make an impression, and they do from the start of their set. With 'Death rides a black Horse' and the brilliant 'The Death or glory Gang', which has heavy elements to it and a very steady tempo. This song from their new EP of the same name, is very hard hitting and drags you into the bands set... like you have been seeing them for years.

'Diablo, Take me Home' in a way feels like it takes influences from The White Stripes, but the fact the contrast between female and male vocals give it something different. As the traditional Rock / Stoner riff and winding guitars, do their thing in the mix. This song comes across much better live than on the CD, so it's nice to hear in this situation. The band also play with the darkness and the lights, really well that makes this song stand out even more.

The only thing I would say is, that at times the band needs to mix it up a little more. They have a good sound, but you have heard it from many a band over the years. The guitar solo's are really good, and the fact they go out of sync at times... I think is intentional and adds something to the overall feel of Saint Agnes performance. I think if everything was totally perfect in the bands set, it would just not sound the same and be totally out of place. You want a chaotic Rock band to be just that, and Saint Agnes really give you this.

So as they get to 'I feel dangerous around You' off the same EP, which is slightly slower and has a different tone to it. You know the are capable of mixing things up and should do it more, this song is a slow grower that I like more every time I listen to it. I think the highlight of the set though is 'Sister Electric' which they close the main set up with, it is hard hitting and has some great dynamics to it. That take Saint Agnes to the next level, and shows what they can do when they put their minds to it.

They play a one song encore which starts off with steady drums and noisy clash of sounds which breaks into 'The Witching Hour'... which is the bands most well known song. This track is over chaotic tonight, and finishes the set off in a frantic way with the band getting all the ladies in the audience to join them onstage. I think you have not seen the best from Saint Agnes yet, I think they will go from strength to strength and you will be seeing a lot more of them in the future.

Saint Agnes - Setlist
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Death rides a black Horse
The Death or Glory Gang
You move like a Ghost
Diablo, Take me Home
Merry mother of God go Round
Funeral Song
I feel dangerous around You
Silvertown
Black Horse
Dust
Sister Electric
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The Witching Hour

Review by Tom Pearce and Photo's by David Pattison

Check Out! the Video for 'Sister Electric' Below...