Smash into Pieces - Rock's next big band!

March 23rd 2015

London, Underwold, UK

****1/2

Doesn't matter how many people, it's how you play!

Smash into Pieces ****1/2 are a Swedish band that are really making waves in the Rock World. After a really successful support slot with Amaranthe, Smash into Pieces are a band that know how to market themselves in the consumer Rock genre. If you don't know Smash into Pieces, think of the musical interludes of Sonic Syndicate mixed with the American Rock sound of bands like Hinder, Staind and Cold and you almost have them. I do think they offer so much more though they have created their own sound. This sound can be heard on their new album 'The Apocalypse DJ' is really strong and one of my favourite albums so far in 2015.

With all this taken into account it is very strange that the venue is so empty today, with only fifty paying punters in attendance... this is a big surprise to me (I thought it would be totally Sold Out!!!). I think maybe this is because London has been hit with months of really killer gigs and you just can't get to them all, and it is a Monday night. The drums kick in and the keyboard coming from their backing track lift the sound up several notches as the band come on stage with real determination.

I think that they are missing guitarist Benjamin Jennebo, who was rushed into hospital earlier in the tour, has made them realise that they all had to up their game to make the show go on. And they have all done just this, because the minute they break into opener 'Stronger'... you hear how (Do you mind you saying?) strong singer Chris Adam Hedman Sörbye vocals actually are. His is a voice that is made for stadiums, which makes me amazingly shocked because it sounds so great on the London, Underworld's stage. This is a venue which isn't the easiest for bands to play, but Smash into Pieces have seemed to have made it their home for one night only.

They continue on with the single 'Colder', a track the audience seems to know really well and it has a great flow to it. Back with futuristic sounding keyboards and Staind Esq. vocals during the verses and a chorus and bridge that make you think you have been listening to this song for years. Makes this track really impress me and the fact they can deliver it so well on stage is another plus point for this great new Rock band. 'Bullets' starts with anthem Esq. backing vocals and a slightly more mellow sound.

This track comes across really emotional on stage as Chris Adam addresses every member of the audience at the front with a handshake, singing the lyrics at them like he is singing it to them personally. It's nice to see this connection and shows that this band are well passed their years and could be one of the greats, in the new American Rock genre (Even though they are from Sweden). They continue on the heart felt felling with 'Crash and Burn', this track also sounds so familiar like an old favourite but it was only released in 2013 on their debut album 'Unbreakable'.

The beat and flow of the song is steady and then launches at you with a catchy chorus that you just can't stop singing and screaming vocals at the end. These vocals verge on Metalcore at time and show the diversity of the band, especially when it hits into one of the best guitar solo's I have heard in a long time. 'Reaching Out' almost takes you back to the Nu-Metal sound of the 90's if it was mixed in with Classic Rock and is a nice interlude in their set. The Nu-Metal Esq sound of 'Don't wake Up' is back by vocals that in places sound bit like Alice in Chains or Soundgarden, but then changing into mainstream Rock in a big way hitting a really high peak.

The melody of this song and chugging guitars in places, help to change the flow and the chorus are really memorable. The second single and brand new track off the new album 'The Apocalypse DJ', 'Checkmate' is mainstream Rock radio friendly type of a track, it has acoustic guitars and would sound great played mid-set in this way. But today they just play it normally with a sing-a-long with the audience. 'My Cocaine' on the CD features Elize Ryd (Amaranthe) and at the Nottingham show they performed it with her, but tonight is a stripped down version without her.

You don't have to worry it sounded equally as good and made you realise your watching a truly great Rock band. They might be young but they have all the experience they need to produce their sound exactly the same on the live stage. They continue on with an older track 'A Friend like You' which really is heartfelt and pulls at the strings of your heart like not many songs can do. They back this up with almost the title track of the album 'Rock 'n' Roll (The Apocalypse Tribute)', This song pays tribute to all the bands hero's and the music they like.

The band is the DJ and the track is their mix... and I have to say listening to their albums they do mix up the genres like they are doing mix CD. This is why the album is called 'The Apocalypse DJ' not that it's Dance or House music or a CD by David Guetta. They end the set with two of their most popular tracks, their road anthem 'Disaster Highway' which is a great track to hear while your driving you can imagine singing a long to it if it came on the radio.

And the brilliant 'Fading' which is a song that has a great feeling to it and the fans have really taking in as their own. This was a great evening of Rock music, and the sound was brilliant and made for the big stage. I can't wait to see them in a bigger venue, because I am sure they will get their. If your into American Rock this is a band you cannot ignore and I am sure 'The Apocalypse DJ' is going to be one of Music Trespass' albums of the year.

Smash into Pieces - Setlist
----------------------------------------
Stronger
Colder
Bullets
Crash and Burn
Reaching Out
Don't wake me Up
Checkmate
My Cocaine
A Friend like You
Rock 'n' Roll (The Apocalypse Tribute)
Disaster Highway
Fading