For an act for whom big things seemed inevitable after a flying start to their career and backing from major industry figures, Inglorious are starting to find themselves at a career crossroads. Over the course of their last three London headline dates the venues have decreased in size from Shepherds Bush Empire, to Islington Assembly Hall, to this show at the Underworld, which was probably not what was envisaged back in 2016.

This apparent decline is particularly hard to fathom as controversial powerhouse singer Nathan James has at last been backed by a stable line-up, and both last year’s albums- ‘We Will Ride’ and the all-female covers album ‘Heroine’ (unrepresented on this night) were, I felt, a strong return to form.

On the upside a good, if not capacity, crowd at the Underworld, made for a more intimate and rock’n’roll atmosphere, and to the band’s credit, for the second autumn running they have been on an extensive tour covering some towns not on the usual gig circuit.

The band took the stage to an intro of ‘Crazy Horses’, Nathan making a dramatic entrance last to a huge cheer, and ‘She Won’t Let You Go’ was a fine opener with a classic riff and excellent solo from Danny De La Cruz, who has toned down his glammy image. ‘Taking the Blame’ flew along at a faster pace, and ‘Where Are You Now’ featured the usual audience participation with the crowd being encouraged to sing ‘we’re in f—ing London’ in an exaggerated Cockney accent.

However parts of the first half of the set were less impressive – with too many ordinary tunes from Inglorious II, the weakest of their albums – cases in point being ‘Do You Like It That Way’ and ‘I Got A Feeling’, though ‘Read All About It’ was more convincing. The first album was as unrepresented as I can remember in an Inglorious live set, ‘High Flying Gypsy’ being the exception.

Things got more interesting for me during a short acoustic segment with just Nathan, and Phil Beaver on acoustic guitar, showing a completely different side to his ferocious drumming. On ‘Glory Days’ Nathan’s anguished falsetto was reminiscent of Glenn Hughes at his most soulful then, paying tribute to those we had lost, in the week of the LA Taylor Hawkins tribute concert we had a mini Foo Fighters medley, Phil showing on ‘My Hero’ that he has an excellent voice in his own right which also blended effectively as Nathan took over the baton with ‘Best of You’.

Things also looked up with Danny playing some interesting baroque guitar sounds on ‘We Will Meet Again’ while ‘He Will Provide’ was a vehicle for he and Dan Stevens to play one Blackmore and Malmsteen influenced neo classical riff after another in impressively heavy fashion. ‘Eye of the Storm’ was also excellent as it switched between slow verses and a faster chorus with Nathan’s singing a mix of prime time Coverdale and Hughes.

In what seemed like no time we were at the traditional closer of ‘Holy Water’, the slow, brooding blues with solos from both guitarists but for the first time in living memory Nathan was not venturing into the crowd. I wonder if the constraints of a cramped venue were a factor, and likewise in the decision to drop the pretence of going off and returning for an encore. Instead they went into the mid tempo anthemic chorus of ‘I Don’t Need Your Loving’ and closed with the big heavy riffery of ‘Until I Die’.

Surprisingly this headline set was only a little over an hour and ten minutes. It wasn’t a vintage Inglorious performance, indeed the choice of songs in the set I’d seen at Firestorm festival only the previous month was superior. However it was still an enjoyable show with a good atmosphere and the high points, especially in the second half of the set, were enough to suggest there is still a route back to the top for them.

Review and Photos by Andy Nathan

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Josh Taerk Sunday Sessions 2024

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Power Plays w/c 29 April 2024

BRIGITTE PURDY Sugar Fried Candy (Dirtshack Records)
ATTIC THEORY The Legacy (indie)
THE HOWLERS I Need Your Love (indie)
VELVETEEN QUEEN Bad Reputation (indie)
WILLS AND THE WILLING Scuffed Knees (Smash & Grab Music Ltd)
READY THE PRINCE Still Believe (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 29 April 2024

09:00-12:00 PRAYING MANTIS Defiance (Frontiers)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023

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