New Model Army are celebrating their 44th anniversary with their latest album Unbroken and an international tour. This tour is special with support from nineties chart toppers Ned’s Atomic Dustbin. The Stourbridge formed quintet provided non-stop high-speed energy during their hour set from the outset. Frontman John Penney impressed with live, graceful and youthful movements.
When headliners New Model Army took to the stage, Ned’s Atomic Dustbin had provided Camden Roundhouse with extra crowd energy and heat to this exceptionally sunny-filled day. Dressed in black, New Model Army looked like a metal band. Whilst there has never been a consensus as to which genre New Model Army fall into, the first three opening songs were heavy and classic rock. The political aspect to these songs added adrenaline, especially the new song “First Summer After” “…about the workers” adding unity, excitement, and naturally more heat to the venue.
New Model Army’s sound became louder and more hard-core with “If I Am Still Me” which saw the band jump into metal territory. At this point, frontman Justin Sullivan, the only original band member advised that Blue Oyster Cult’s “Don’t Fear the Reaper” is “the best song about death”. Whilst New Model Army’s sound grew louder, the political elements of the songs excited fans more when “225” echoed scenes from “1984” and when the new song “Reload” lambasted capitalism with the lyrics “It’s only debt that trickles down”.
At 68 Justin Sullivan proved he could still sing and master the loud BPM cacophonies of his current material and four decades old back-catalogue. Sullivan also realised the necessity of including slower unsettling anthems with pounding tribal bass drums such as “Winter”. Nonetheless, New Model Army fans were more than happy with the playout song “Get Me Out” which embraced Motörhead’s brand of metal in the outro.
With a brief power cut four-tenths in, Sullivan used this time to slam Brexit and how European venues had better air-conditioning. Concerning current world events Sullivan exercised common sense and avoided encouraging misguided vitriolic acts by saying “I’m not gonna make any big speeches about what is going on in the world that you don’t already know about”.
New Model Army proved music can be openly political and deeply critical of the status quo without making any audience members feel vulnerable. With collective inhibitions removed, New Model Army allowed their fans to enjoy their music and lyrical statements in a safe environment without prejudice.
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