ARTIST: Alexisonfire

VENUE: Leeds Metropolitan University

REVIEW BY: Tom Bailey

FOR some bands just the one tour of their latest release is enough, but Alexisonfire are by no means just some band.

The Canadian hardcore quintet return to the UK shores for the second time this year, after an already successfully outing in March.

But first on the bill, The Ghost Of A Thousand brought their blend of hardcore mixed with their own Brighton charm, with ‘Left For Dead’ and ‘Black Art Number One’ being the standout tracks.

Their lively set may not have fully won over the eager crowd but with their own headline tour booked for February and the current popularity of bands such as Gallows, I wouldn’t count out The Ghost Of A Thousand just yet.

Next up Saosin delivered what can only be described as one of the most under-whelming sets I have ever seen.

It’s not that they were particularly worse than the average support band, just that they didn’t have anything remotely remarkable about them.

Despite this, the quintet’s more commercially geared rock was received reasonably well by the younger members of audience, with single ‘You’re Not Alone’ receiving the biggest cheers.

Thankfully, if there’s one thing you can always rely on it’s that Alexisonfire could never be unremarkable if they tried.

Despite playing a set similar to that they toured earlier this year, with them it’s not just about the music but also the performance.

Frontman and screamer George Petit, as I said back in March, remains an event himself; always taking centre stage and always captivating to watch.

Backed by combination of Dallas Green and Wade McNeil on guitars and counter vocals Alexisonfire have got the knack of delivering an exhilarating and energetic set down to a fine art.

Drawing heavily from latest release ‘Crisis’ they played the entire album bar the title track alongside past glories such as ‘Accidents’. Another triumphant outing from Canada’s finest export and still one of rock’s most exciting prospects.