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The shrieking vocals of lead singer Ben Kowalewicz sound like a ferret is constantly using his ‘ball-bags’ as a chew-toy - but surprisingly it’s not painful listening. Instead, it gives the band its identity, while adding extra bite to their angst-ridden anthems. With the stifling heat reaching an inhumane temperature, Canadian punksters Billy Talent soon drenched the wilting crowd with their riotous riffs and colossal choruses.
Kicking off with recent single ‘Devil in a Midnight Mass’, a sweat-soaked mosh-pit instantly formed - a good indicator of the mayhem to follow. BT kept the ferocious velocity sky-high by ripping straight into ‘Red Flag’ which, although just released, already feels like a classic. The inescapably addictive chorus was religiously chanted back, showing it’s a new fan’s favourite. Their sound is as tight as rubber hot-pants, with Ian D’sa’s lead guitar sounding even more inventive and mesmerising live. His coarse tonsil-tearing roars give the band an extra dimension which they use to ear-bursting effect.
The North East’s emo kids who shunned Lostprophets’ Carling Academy gig down the road for Billy Talent could safely commence ‘smug-mode’. The Toronto quartet possess the versatility to go from the chaotic to the calm in devastating style. ‘This Suffering’ is a perfect example of one of their more sombre offerings with the lyrics taking centre-stage and creating a unifying effect that lifts the airless atmosphere.
With the lecture-theatre style seating at the back of this quirky venue totally filled, a riot-inducing band like Billy Talent weren’t going to stand for that! After a searing version of ‘Line and Sinker’, Kowalewicz demands them to “Get the fuck up!”, but surprisingly nothing stirred in the rafters. “This one is for a special someone who deeply touched me…… I hope she will rot in hell for all eternity” scathes Kowalewicz, before cavorting around the stage to the venomous ‘The Ex’. BT have great onstage presence that oozes confidence rather than arrogance.
The engaging encore consisted of the snarling opening track on debut album ‘This Is How It Goes’ , the punk-ballad ‘Nothing To Lose’ and the night ended with a passionate performance of their signature tune ‘Try Honesty’. Billy Talent demand your full attention, as you’re transfixed to a performance soaked in energy and undeniable self-belief. With searing shows like that, the futures bright, the futures er . . . BT?
