Spear of Destiny @ 100 Club, London (Live Review)
- Written by Captain Stavros
Spear of Destiny
100 Club
A Post-Punk Resurrection
The 100 Club on Oxford Street transformed into a crucible of raw energy and nostalgia as Spear of Destiny took the stage. Led by the ever-charismatic Kirk Brandon, the band delivered a performance that was both a nod to their storied past and a testament to their enduring relevance.
The evening marked a significant moment in the band's journey, serving as a live unveiling of their ambitious new project, JANUS. This double album revisits and reimagines two of their seminal works: 1987's Outland and 1988's The Price You Pay. Brandon, reflecting on the project, explained, "Some may say why re-record... the reason is that I wanted them to sound as close to what I originally thought they should have sounded like”.
Opening with ‘The Wheel’, the band immediately set a tone of urgency and passion. Brandon's vocals, still as potent as ever, wove through the dense tapestry of Adrian Portas's guitar riffs and Clive Osborne's evocative saxophone lines. The rhythm section, with John Bourne on bass and Danny Farrant on drums, provided a formidable backbone, driving the songs forward with relentless momentum.
The setlist was a well-curated journey through the band's extensive catalog. Classics like ‘Grapes of Wrath’ and ‘Pilgrim’ sat comfortably alongside newer tracks, showcasing the band's evolution without alienating longtime fans. The crowd, a mix of seasoned devotees and curious newcomers, responded with fervor, their voices rising in unison during the anthemic ‘Never Take Me Alive’.
Throughout the night, Brandon engaged the audience with anecdotes and reflections, bridging the gap between performer and spectator. His storytelling added depth to the performance, providing context and insight into the songs' origins and meanings.
The encore was a triumphant culmination, featuring ‘Radio Radio’, ‘Rainmaker’, and ‘Liberator’. Each song was met with roaring approval, the crowd's energy undiminished even as the night wore on.
In an era where many bands from the '80s are content to rest on their laurels, Spear of Destiny's performance at the 100 Club was a powerful reminder of their continued vitality. They didn't just revisit the past; they reinvigorated it, proving that their spear still strikes true.