Live Review: Of Mice & Men

Live Review: Of Mice & Men - Epic Studios, Norwich
10th December 2023
Support: Defects, Caskets
Words & Photos: Tom Atkin

Once again it is a lovely cold damp night outside the front of Epic Studios in Norwich (bring back summer queues please). Tonight we are treated to a great line up in the form of Defects, Caskets and Of Mice & Men nearing the end of their current European tour.

Opening the night we have Defects, the first of the the evenings offerings from UK. This band is making waves in the metal scene, having already opened for Bullet For My Valentine and In Flames. They bring a ridiculously energetic performance from the word go of their set. The crowd isn’t exactly packed out yet (blame the cold and 15 minutes between doors opening and them starting) but they put on a performance like there is thousands in here.

It’s easy to see that they adore their fans as well. To the point where Tony Maue (vocals) and Luke Genders (guitar) jump in to the crowd and get a circle pit going round them. This is definitely a band to watch out for in the future. If you're attending Download 2024, you can catch them there!

Photo Credit: Tom Atkin

Next up we have Caskets, a post hardcore offering from Leeds. Another band that just seems to be on the up and up, previously supporting We Came As Romans. They bring an amazing atmosphere to the venue, I haven’t come across this band before but instantly I am a fan. However, there is a lot of people in here that are avid fans.

Listening to their music pre-concert it is clear they put a lot of effort into getting the live show as close as possible to the recordings, but, with a tab bit more passion. They have a great stage presence tonight and the crowd are feeding off it all!

Sadly, if you are UK based, you won’t get a chance to see them now until at least May as they are heading across the pond for a US tour.

Photo Credit: Tom Atkin

And finally we get the main attraction for the night, Of Mice & Men and by this point Epic is jammed. They are another band that seems to attract a wide range of fans which seriously is ridiculously good to see these days.

Bursting into the set with 'Bones Exposed' the crowd is straight into it. It is clear that they have been waiting for this moment for some time. This tour is in support of the album 'Tether' which was released a few months ago, so as expected the majority of tonight’s songs were from that album. Including 'Castaway', 'Indigo', and the debut single of the album 'War Paint'.

Looking through the set list they picked songs from almost all of their albums. A set that is sure to appease both new and old school Of Mice & Men fans. You have 'Bloom' and 'Obsolete' from 2021’s phenomenal album 'Echo'. Then 'O.G. Loko' and 'The Depths' of their second album 'The Flood'.

Photo Credit: Tom Atkin

Even stretching back to their debut album with 'Second & Sebring' for their encore song, which is quite possibly (according to Spotify stats) their most popular song (83 million plays and counting… that’s more than some “bigger” metal acts)

Aaron Pauley’s vocals really are outstanding, seemingly transitioning between clean and dirty singing styles. Hitting every switch perfectly. This version of the band has members that have been in it together since around 2012, and you can certainly tell. Their energy bounces of each other and creates just a great performance.

Sadly, their tour is done now for the year. Next, heading over to Japan and Australia. When they come back around our ways be sure to check them out. Disappointment is not a feeling you’ll get seeing them.

Photo Credit: Tom Atkin

Setlist:

Bones Exposed
Would You Still Be There
Castaway
Obsolete
Warpaint
Indigo
Into the Sun
Earth & Sky
O.G. Loko
Instincts
Bloom
The Depths
Second & Sebring