Back in 1999 I experienced my first metal concert and immediately captured the reasons why it grabs (especially) younger audiences. In fact I witnessed things that I had never seen before in a rock concert; excitement, audience involvement, huge guitar riffs with that signature tight, ocean-deep drum rhythm. Intoxicating stuff! Over the last five years I’ve also witnessed the genre maturing into music that, at its best, communicates with melody, meaning and passion, leaving softer rock to flounder, generally adapting to the mediocre and misguided needs of radio executives.

Now don’t get me wrong, there are heavy metal bands out there who are dreadful in the extreme and use theatrics and growls to batter their audiences, rather than relying on great songs and musical skills. I first witnessed Gibraltar band Breed 77 three years ago at a Download festival and was impressed with both the band’s songs and performance. I have never heard of Panic Cell or listened to the band’s music, but as main support to Breed I was hopeful…

I was not disappointed. This British four-piece could easily be mistaken for the archetypal American metal band complete with two lead players who looked like ageing Hell’s Angels. During a set that included a break to wish the drummer ‘happy birthday’ and Jägermeister handed out liberally to the stage-front audience, the band proved to have songs worth listening to; the skills to make them stick; with the ability to connect with an audience big-time.

By the time Breed 77 appeared the place was crammed with fans spanning the age range. The first time I witnessed the band live was back in 2005 at the Download festival during one of the early slots. I was impressed with every aspect of the performance and even wondered why the guys weren’t on one of the later headliner slots – they were that good. In Paul Isola the band possesses the classic lead-man; handsome, very audience-friendly; with an excellent voice. He’s surrounded by strong musicians including Danny Felice (guitar), Stuart Cavilla (bass), Peter Chichone (drums) and later addition Pedro Caparro (electric and Flamenco guitars).

The one thing I look for in a band is that special quality called ‘distinction’ that sets it apart from the others. Breed have it in spades with a style of heavy rock that encompasses Spanish Flamenco and North African rhythms, and is delivered with Latin passion. I particularly liked the acoustic flashes played on acoustic guitars permanently affixed to stands at each end of the stage, ready for fingers to momentarily wander over strings. With no pit to separate crowd from band, female hands occasionally wandered over Felice’s gleaming bald head, and caressed Isola’s olive arms.

Skill and originality are vital but regardless of quality if a band doesn’t have songs it’s all a waste of time. But here again the band triumphed with powerful, emotional songs hand-picked from three previous albums including from their latest and greatest. I left the venue feeling that this band is now ready for the big-time, not least from the audience’s reaction to a faultless performance of good songs in a style that would appeal to most rock lovers.

SET LIST

Individuo

Alive

World On Fire

Matter Of Time

Petroleo

Empty Words

Hatin

Final Prayer

Remember The Day

Floods

Blind

Zombie

The River

La Ultima Hora