Gig Review: IAMI – Classic Grand, Glasgow, 4 August 2013

Tonight’s gig was part of a tour package rolling around the country entitled ‘The Headbangers Balls Tour’. The tour was organised by the band Reign Of Fury to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust, a cause close to the band’s hearts as their frontman Bison was diagnosed with testicular cancer several years ago.

The tour features four bands per night with a different headliner at each venue and tonight it was the first Glasgow date for IAMI.

Due to an early start I managed to miss the opening act of the evening but arrived just as Reign Of Fury hit the stage. The band battered the crowd with a thrash metal onslaught which went down a storm.

Combining a good vocal with a killer twin guitar delivery and a rock solid rhythm section the guys were highly impressive. Playing tracks from their debut album ‘World Detonation’ the band came across as a mix of Anthrax with a good dose of Maiden sprinkled liberally throughout.

This was an impressive performance which, unfortunately, was only allotted 30 minutes, definitely a band to catch again in the near future and a debut album to track down…

Next up on the bill were Edinburgh outfit States Of Panic. Formally known as Peepshow, the guys have made quite a name for themselves of late including a Kerrang feature and slots on both the Download and Bloodstock bills. The band also have a new album due soon which, judging by tonight’s performance, may be worth a listen.

Although their sound wasn’t great and they had the odd technical hitch, the guy’s enthusiasm pulled them through. Frontman Johnny Gunn tried his best to whip up the crowd and attempted several, slightly ambitious, sing-alongs with varying results. Hopefully the momentum continues for the guys as on this display they certainly have the attitude and the songs to go on to bigger and better things.

One band for whom bigger things should be just around the corner are tonight’s headliners IAMI. Fronted by former Dragonforce frontman ZP Theart, the band are as tight as the proverbial duck’s posterior. On leaving DF, ZP set about gathering together a group of like-minded musicians and what a good job he did. Playing tracks from the band’s album ‘Event Horizon’ the guys put in a top class set.

ZP may have played to 85,000 during his 10 years with Dragonforce but tonight he looked happier on stage than I had seen him for a long time. His interaction with the crowd was great to see and the crowd responded in kind.

As well as the new tracks the band played a fantastic cover of the old John Farnham hit ‘You’re the Voice’ which suited the heavier delivery and gave ZP a chance to shine.

Rounding off the hour long set with ‘Silent Genocide’ the band left the stage to a huge cheer and chants of ‘IAMI’ resounding around the room. As I say ZP and the guys deserve a much bigger stage which surely can’t be far off.

This was a great gig and all for a good cause. The tour continues and if you get the chance I would recommend you get yourself along regardless of who is headlining, as the poster said ‘If you have got a pair, be there!’

Review and photos by Dave Wilson

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Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024

THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)