Certain things are assumed when attending a metal gig – B.O. is a definite. Hair is another. Hair and beards. And a certain element of Metallicasation and Rammsteiniosity, down to the distorted synch grunge-guitars and vocals wailing social-hypocrisy rooted angst. In any case, predictability is almost a certainty.
Not so with an Alabama Thunderpussy. The hair is there, yes. The B.O. – well, it wouldn’t be the same without it. Even the issues handled in the lyrics are fairly standard – war, prejudice, personal afflictions. But sometimes a band is not all about being part of a genre. For one thing, the venue in question cannot be more perfect – The Underworld could be twinned with hoedown barns throughout the Midwest, all that’s missing is the sawdust. The smell of vomitous and urine hits you in the face as you enter like a hobo’s fingerless-gloved hand. And the fact that the place is crammed with leather, denim, tats and the people who proudly wear them contributes to the illusion that beyond the exit doors Camden had been miraculously replaced by the set of Wild Hogs.
Following a raw and bluesy performance from Firebird to set the mood, ATP take the stage with confidence and charm, vocalist Kyle Thomas both charismatic and down to earth. Despite the fact that only Eric Larson (rhythm guitar) and Bryan Cox (drums) remain of the original crew, the band presents a symbiotic collaborative front on stage and is as tight as a team of synchronised swimmers. Only quite a bit more masculine.
A belter of an opener, Greed, kicks the place into Halloween mayhem. Thomas declares the crowd being “the best we’ve had all year”, and joviality increases. An excellent and sweeping Valour is quickly followed by an even more intense The Cleansing, all from latest offering ‘Open Fire’, released under Relapse Records back in March - the first of their eight albums to feature Thomas on vocals. The pace quickens and the atmosphere a pressure cooker.
More offerings from the recent album bring a grungy, dirty Soundgarden sound to the mix with The Beggar and Wage Slave. Ryan Lake’s guitar is insane, and would not be embarrassed in a top metal axes line up. Of course, he’s nailed the look completely, having seemingly last slept back in 1974. Larson’s guitar accompaniment is seamless and not once is his face to be seen in the mass of hair and ‘tach, raising speculation as to a possible relation to the Adams Family’s Cousin It. More hair – the mighty drumming by the braided Cox is more functional than inspired but it certainly gets the job done.
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The myth of metal fans being all boys is totally dispelled here, with more or less equal gender distribution. A woman even dares to venture amongst the crowd-surfers, till she drops all of her change on stage … It’s obvious she’s considering picking it up but decides to let it go. It just wouldn’t be very rock’n’roll, now would it. Meanwhile, at the front of the stage, the ATP winner of most-impassioned-fan award is ardently singing his little heart out, and with his handlebar moustache and slicked back hair he would not look out of place in an episode of World's Scariest Police Chases. In a moment of Thomas’ miscalculated buddiness he grabs the vocalists’ arm and lets out a lengthy scream, staring at him intently. It’s tough being adored by toughs.
The UK tour is all about Open Fire, and the tracks are mostly from the album, including Non Shall Return, and Words of a Dying Man which allow Thomas to showcase the full range of his vocal ability with gut-wrenching howls. This is followed by a 2002 stomper - Motor-Ready from their Staring at the Divine album. Two more tunes from Open Fire, including the title track, and to finish the set a Whitesnake cover of In the Still of the Night. Ecstatic doesn’t even begin to describe the place.
At this point this writer is officially ATP converted, and when the evening is topped off with a Judas Priest cover of Saints in Hell as an encore, there is no doubt that this band’s gutsy grit is contagious.
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