Live Review: Acid Reign – Scarborough

UK Thrashers Acid Reign released their first new album in 29 years,  The Age of Entitlement, back in September, to what has been, in the main, a positive response from both fans and critics alike, and followed up with a blistering album launch party in October in London supported by Shrapnel and Primitai.

Well now it was chance for some other parts of the country to see the re-booted line up play the new tunes to the masses! And the first night of the first leg of the tour was in the wilds of Scarborough under the twin peaks of the double Tipi, situated in the outdoor arena.

The line-up for the night was to be fair a bit odd, with Acid Reign sandwiched between Motörhead infused traditional rockers Blind Haze, and old school NWOBHM band Diamond Head. I have to be honest I unfairly didn’t really pay much attention to either of them, tonight was as always all about Acid Reign!

Hitting the canvas covered stage under the introduction from 'T.A.O.E.' as it blends into 'The New Low' the band were as always a full on high octane monster, Marc’s massive drum kit takes the pounding of its life as song after song from the bands back catalogue, along with tracks from the new album are played like they’ve always been part of the set. Cooky and Paul lock in the rhythm and riffs of crowd favourites like 'Humanoia' and 'Goddess', and keeping the small but enthusiastic crowd banging their heads. Pete, the Bassmeister General weaves his way through the set, twirling his beard in unison with the songs, and expertly avoiding on stage pile ups with frontman H, who as normal was leading this rebooted line up into the fray. H with his C*NT emblazoned tee shirt and interacting with the crowd in his standard manner of light hearted banter whilst inciting a little tongue in cheek chaos in the crowd.

There’s was loads of Yorkshire Thrash legends in the Tipi, including original Acid Reign bassist Mac, as well as members of Re-Animator and Holosade, who all got a friendly shout out from H!

The new songs went down a treat, 'Within the Woods' and 'Ripped Apart' being embraced as openly as the old, and the set was finished with 'The Fear', taken from the bands first album of the same name, not played live for 30 years, and it sounded as fresh and heavy as It did back then!

This was a great night out as always, and Acid Reign always put on the best of shows, the remainder of the tour saw them land in Glasgow, Dublin and Belfast and from the stories we’ve heard make Scarborough tame by comparison!

Keep an eye out for the dates for second leg of the Tour of Entitlement in the New Year, or catch AR live at Mosh Against Cancer at the end of May!