If you know, you know: 15 years ago, British post-hardcore underdogs Hell is For Heroes released their debut album to Herculean “rock saviour” reviews. International super-stardom may have never materialised, but ‘The Neon Handshake’ has since earned cult status in the pantheon of underground English rock: taking the garage-racket of DC hardcore bands like Rites of Spring, stuffing it full of undeniable earworms and radio-friendly sledgehammer riffs. And to the delight of the young-at-heart everywhere, Hell is For Heroes are taking the album back on tour, with a slew of 15th Anniversary shows to take us all back to happier times – with none other than ‘A’ and the almighty Vex Red in support to truly dazzle all your senses into believing it’s 2003. Nostalgia-fest this undoubtedly is, but ‘The Neon Handshake’ is a totem of its time: blazingly optimistic, joyously heavy, paving the way for countless heavy British bands since. Like their American peers Rival Schools or Far, Hell is For Heroes deserve a chance to shake the dust off their old classic, and we’re more than happy to indulge them. With the first London show sold out, you’ll want to grab these fast.
Mon 19 Feb, 7pm, O2 Institute, 78 Digbeth High Street Birmingham B5 6DY. £22.50 seetickets.com
- Words:
- Chris Donald - Gigs Editor
- Published on:
- Fri 18 Aug 2017