Rock's self-perpetuating existence is only made possible by the advent of youth. Tired old codgers step aside for the hungry whippersnappers who wait impatiently for a bite of the cherry that their elders have already chewed and digested many times over.
So, in the week Hell Is For Heroes grace the cover of rock bible 'Kerrang', one of the UK's hottest musical properties play their biggest headlining show in the capital. Don't mention the pressure. However, instead of being the night HIFH step up, stake their claim and don't look back, it rapidly turns into a missed opportunity.
They'll be plenty more chances - time is on their side at least. Time for sure, but also obvious drive, talent and potential, yet an apparent lack a self-belief, the crucial ingredient at times like this. They're missing a certain swagger to banish nerves, a uniting battle cry to stir the loins, a voice to say "you're right, we're gonna be the best and this is why" before launching into a show worthy of their burgeoning reputation.
Too often, HIFH's best songs (and they have plenty - see the superb debut 'The Neon Handshake') sound aimless amid the mucky and haphazard mix that swallows Justin Schlosberg guttural vocals whole. Considering their standing is built on heavy and crisp riffs, the competing guitars knock each other out rather than the audience. And that's only one example of the self-defeating theme that's all too apparent tonight.
That said, 'You Drove Me To It' and 'I Can Climb Mountains' manage to hurtle along with adequate purpose, while the downbeat new single 'Retreat' provides welcome respite from rage, rage and a spot more rage. Neither can you fault the effort of Scholoberg's Mike Patton/Henry Rollins hunched delivery, nor the reaction of their loyal throng out front. But for a band who are so clearly superior to a lot of their 'competitors', tonight's show fails to match the billing.
As Shakespeare once wrote: "Some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them". HIFH could conceivably tick yes in all three of those boxes, they just need to believe they can and show us. Rock is not about coming second, as this summer will no doubt prove.
