First published by Nottingham Live http://www.nottinghamlive.co.uk/live/2011/09/live-review-toxic-federation-the-greyhound-911/
Photos reproduced by kind permission of Sue Paterson Photography www.suepaterson.co.uk
Someone once remarked that watching Toxic Federation play a pub was akin to “watching Aerosmith on apostagestamp”. And while the Feddie’s distinctive brand of classic rock-infused melodic metal occupies an altogether different length of street to the ‘smiths strutting funky rock, the comparison is, as we saw this evening, entirely valid.
Well received headlining slots and appearances at Rock and Bike Fest and Greenbelt aside, the band has spent an intense summer applying final touches to album number three, ‘Distance’ (out October 17th, by the way). Tonight, the Federation clearly relished the opportunity to shake off the cobwebs and do what they do best which is, to somewhat immodestly quote myself, “…pack an arena-style show into whatever shoe box they happen to find themselves”
Opening with the always arresting couplet of Epiphany/Dark, it was clear they were on top of their game, displaying the growing style and casual excellence that now characterises their live shows.
Even the persistent technical difficulties that plagued the first third of the performance couldn’t derail the Federation Express as it roared into the set. All aboard the rock ‘n’ roll train, motherfuckers, and hold on to your seats.
Tonight’s set was all about the new songs. The songs that have placed clear blue water between the promising band of kids we met on ‘As One’ and the band we now see a year later; a maturing collective of talented young men with a diamond of an album they cannot wait to unleash upon the world.
Title track, ‘Distance’ sounded positively enormous as it shuddered through the venue, threatening to dislodge the tectonic plates. Will Cadence, of Cadence Noir, wondered with a delighted grin, “When did they get so heavy? They’ve really found their own sound now”. No shit, Will…
‘My Resolution’, with a glorious break down and one of the new album’s finest solos, courtesy of the increasingly excellent Jake Graham, showcased the new Toxic Federation to stunning effect: heavier, grittier and darker with their trademark knack for melody remaining utterly undiminished.
As for ‘Motorway Asylum’, well, it mugs you on the street, steals your car and slams the pedal to the metal with a defiant ‘fuck you’ as its breakneck tempo takes the crowd over the top and into overdrive.
Contributing to a varied and exciting set, familiar crowd pleasers, ‘Daybreak’ ‘Execute’ and ‘As One’ made a welcomereturn which, judging by the crazed dancing and banging heads of some, were far better received than the three covers thrown in to keep the unfamiliar happy.
The epic beauty of ‘Life of Mine’ and fan fave, ‘Patriot’s Gamble’ closed out a set which was blistering, furious, infectious and thrilling.
Toxic Federation are a stadium act in waiting. Now they’re just waiting for the rest of the world to catch up.