Senser – 100 Club – 24th June
What can be said of the 100 club? It’s allegedly one of the most ‘famous venues’ in the UK if not in the world. Or so their Website says. For those that haven’t been there the walls are littered with pictures of bands playing from yesterday. To an iconic moment with ‘Metallica’ to a more recent picture of ‘The Horrors.’ Everyone contributing their own little piece of the puzzle of Rock History.
Would tonight be another piece of Rock History?
Well I certainly hoped so…having been a big fan of senser from their commanding debut album ‘Stacked up’ and even been lucky enough to take the stage with them once a few years ago my hopes were high.
In my humble opinion when they first split into two different bands Lodestar and what became de-senser, a full on dance version of Senser they lost there way a little. Or certainly they were exploring different avenues, nothing wrong with that par say….its just that it didn’t rock my world.
But Now they were back.
When I heard ‘How to do Battle’ I could here a real return to form. The strong unique ideas that they had originally come up with had been developed, built upon and improved, whilst still giving a nod to what made them great in the first place. The power, the anger, hell the damn good riffs were all in place.
I just can’t help but think if they had released this a couple of years after ‘Stacked Up’ then they would have been THE best metal/rap band in the UK and they could have gone stratospheric.
I digress, on to the gig. Before them was a band called Idiom…from what I have heard they have been making some waves with some big name tour support’s including Skindred and 36 Crazy Fists.
This was apparent by the way they took the stage. Full of confidence they were a well-drilled gig hardened band. I think they were let down by the sound as it was muffled and difficult to make out some of the riffs. But they did their best to warm the crowd up.
Next was Senser. This was really why I was there and clearly why most people were also. Before they took the stage they announced the winner of a competition they had been running for their latest single ‘2 3 Clear’. The anticipation mounted.
They had no Kerstin Haigh today on vocal duties as she has just had her second baby and understandably she was not in a position to perform. For this gig, Kerstin’s stand in was a singer by the name of Imma, who was all flowing locks and fierce attitude. It was clear from the first song ‘Resistance Now’ that the female vocals were in good hands and she supported the band in a commanding performance.
Heitham Al-Sayed is the main draw for me and tonight he was the perfect mc or Mosh Co-ordinator, as he seemed to be in this case. Effortlessly guiding the band through his strong delivery as they selected tracks from predominantly ‘Stacked up’ and ‘How to do Battle’. The crowd were here and they were up for it tonight. The set flowed well and the band played their characteristic hard-edged riffage over hip hop/funk beats. Whilst the atmospherics were clear in the mix they never over powered the band and really added to the overall ambiance. They are indisputably tight, professional and know how to Rock Out.
There were a couple of moments of note, one was their rendition of ‘State of Mind’ a song that sounded just as relevant today as it did when I first heard it, poignant lyrics, big slabs of metal guitar, digital trance moments, great scratching and an awesome beat that just makes you want to move. And the crowd most certainly did.
And Secondly ‘Age of Panic’ this was where I changed from an ‘alleged journalist’ and became a fan by any other name. Here I was jumping around in the mosh pit something I haven’t done in years! All testament, to their great performance.
So were Senser part of Rock’s History…well I think they already are. I for one am really pleased Senser are back on the scene bringing their conscious metal/hip-hop to the people. I just wonder if they will be able to tap into this latest dubstep generation in the same way that they tapped into a 90’s generation.
Only time will tell, but I think they have the riffs and raps and it seems determination to keep spreading the message with a great zeal.
Words by Jonathan Reid and images by Michelle Murphy
