Review: Slaves at The Great Hall

The eerie atmosphere lingered above the crowd like ominous fog suddenly appearing in a thriller movie. The crowd were born ready, but were the security guards? We were soon to find out.

It's Friday the 11th of November and The Great Hall in Exeter held the gig of the year, feeding us the reckless punk-duo, Slaves. Laurie Vincent and Isaac Holman both from Kent, changed the norm and brought punk back to our charts in 2014. Formed in 2012 the duo signed to Virgin EMI in 2014 releasing their most popular song ‘The Hunter’ that November.

The lights finally go out leaving red spotlights illuminating the stage. It's not long before the one cheer sets everyone else off like dominos as Slaves stroll in stage. They open with ‘How's Amelia?’ from their 2013 album ‘Sugar Coated Bitter Truth.’ 60 seconds into the set and moshpits are corrupting left, right and centre whilst crowd surfers are flying above people's heads like hooligans.

Slaves recently released a second album ‘Take control’ this September featuring work produced/collaborated with the iconic Mike D, Beastie Boys and featuring singles such as; Lies, Spit it Out and Steer Clear. Whereas their first album ‘Are You Satisfied?’ was nominated for The 2015 Mercury Music Prize Award, including singles such as; Where's your car Debbie? Cheer up London and Do Something.

Isaac Holman and Laurie Vincent are soon teasing us with lyrics to the single ‘Sockets.’ You suddenly find a huge circle clearing in front of you, yet it's too late to try an escape as everyone runs into the pit with elbows/fists at the ready. The people on the balcony infected by the music that's vibrating through the room; not needing to be in a crowd to have a great time. The strobe lights flash unforgivingly across the ungovernable fans causing them to go chaotic.

The show comes to an end with ‘The Hunter.’ And with everyone dripping sweat you think you can go on no more but refusing to let the night fold into a memory an en-core is demanded by the unruly audience. And too good to resist Isaac Holman and Laurie Vincent willingly walk back on stage. They begin to form the sound of ‘Lies’ which cause the crowd to go crazy as their wish has been granted. The guitar performed by Laurie Vincent is a wave of noise vibrating through the fans bones and the vocals and drums played by Isaac Holman controls the audience's emotions. However they seem to be enjoying this night too much to let it go so the crowd get another two songs of ‘White Knuckle Ride’ and ‘Spit it Out.’

By Emilia Pavely
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