THE BASILISK.

The Islington O2 Academy, London. Friday 22nd July 2016.

It’s always pleasing to see a fledgling Bedfordshire band making strides outside of the county’s borders. Tonight at the prestigious Islington academy, THE BASILISK are playing their first London show. As one of many local bands first championed and encouraged by Bedford Alternative Music, it was both a privilege and pleasure to join keeef in witnessing this most momentous night for The Basilisk. It’s been quite a year for these rocking youngsters, back in March they released their debut E.P. Make It Happen. A riotous launch night was played out in Holy Molys at Bedford Esquires. This was then followed a month later by them supporting tec. metallers The Algorithm at The Craufurd Arms. In September they return to that venue to play alongside the legendary metal band Diamond Head.

Tonight in the upstairs part of the O2 Academy, The Basilisk are the second of four bands performing, of which INSIDE OCTOBER are headlining. On arriving at the venue, which is situated inside a shopping mall, the lads are cheerfully pumped up. Standing outside the venue, the only signs of bad stress is when B.A.M.’s keeef inadvertently kicked over Harvey’s pre gig carton of coffee!! On a hot balmy summers evening The Basilisk seem to have drawn out a good solid swell of travelling support. The timekeeping has been spot on tonight and at precisely 8pm, the Bedfordshire lads take to the London stage for the first time. Jack Hutchins (vocals) Dylan Adkins (bass) Harvey Lake (drums and Tom Gulliver (guitar) stridently take their positions. Jack instantly calls to the crowd “We are The Basilisk, lets fucking do it!”

The blue touch paper has been well and truly lit by this direct statement of intent. The now well honed and familiar intro greets In My Blood. Every Minute matters and the band have, dare I say it, begun really well. A quite nerve jangling spooky intro is the forerunner of A Way Back Up. Confidence is stretched with this song, as it has never been performed live before. Guitars and drums very soon kick in violently, as Jack forcibly yells out “Take Me Down.” Audience handclaps are demanded and naturally received during its duration. The Basilisk often throw a cover into their set and tonight they select The Captain by Biffy Cliro, with a little added help from fans, they gave this composition a respectful outing. A couple of new songs are aired this evening and my instant favourite (possibly my highlight of their show) has to be Best Of The Worst. A thundering drums intro is just the start of this magical cocktail of metalcore musical madness.
A mosh pit surge seriously threatens my highly priced London pint of brew! They implore their fans to “Make some noise,” but we cannot match what The Basilisk are blasting out. The fellas are on fire tonight and this song is the defining moment. “Thank you very much London” is announced very proudly by Mr. Hutchins. To finish off this impressive set, the quartet bow out with a couple of their older works.

Recovery was infact the first song they ever wrote as a band, way back in 2012. The fruition is great to witness, as they follow it up with Make It Happen. This was the single from their aforementioned E.P., it’s to be the closing climax from The Basilisk. Cue frenzy time, as Jack commands everyone to jump and spin around quickly. This awesome, anthemic rock song is played out with typical style and panache. The lads look naturally drained as they leave the stage.
The loud cheers and applause continues to ring in their ears. A whole hearted and entertaining performance that was thoroughly appreciated by this travelling reviewer. Hopefully this and the accompanying photos snapped by keeef, will give you a tiny flavour of what was such a special night for The Basilisk and their travelling army of supporters.

*The Basilisk played with Kinky Downs, Behind Blue Eyes and Inside October*

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