It’s a tough job being a relatively unknown opening act. It’s even tougher being first on a three band bill at the unearthly hour of 7:30 pm yet Nashville’s James Bruner seized his opportunity with both hands with a spirited and energetic display of hook laden Power Pop that nods towards a heavier Rick Springfield. With songs such as “Switchblade” and the punchy “Red Light”, he won over large sections of the ever growing crowd and definitely has what it takes to climb the Rock ‘n’ Roll greasy pole.
The same alas couldn’t be said of the Autumn Kings. Their mix of Rap and Rock came across as a second rate Linkin Park although there were some good riffs here and there which did connect with the audience but overall it just didn’t work.
Those Damn Crows on the other hand, are riding on the crest of a very large wave at the moment. With their latest album God Shaped Hole, hitting the Number One spot in the UK album charts and this tour selling out in no time, this is very much their moment.
It’s very easy to see why as right from the opening salvo of “Dancing With The Enemy”, “Man On Fire” and “No Surrender”, they take no prisoners. It’s big, bold, powerful and supremely melodic Modern Metal with lead singer Shane Greenhall commanding the stage, stamping his personality and passion right through songs.
The likes of Shinedown and Tremonti with a hint of Live may be convenient reference points, but Those Damn Crows are no mere copyists having the style and substance of their own to set them apart from their peers.
In “The Night Train” and the beautiful “Still”, where Greenhall stood alone onstage, Those Damn Crows possess the ballads to blow down the gates of the mainstream and conquer America.
While in years to come, they may look back on 2025 as their peak, the trajectory on which they are currently heading suggests that bigger and better things may actually be ahead of them.
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