Taste Of Chaos – Cardiff International Arena

21/11/2006

Every year the world sees the massive Taste Of Chaos tour finishing off right here in the U.K and this year, right here in Cardiff.  This tour brings us some of the biggest names in Punk Rock, Hardcore & Emo.  Last year it brought us the likes of Reggie And The Full Effect, Story Of The Year, Killswitch Engage, Rise Against, The Used and Wales’s very own Funeral For A Friend.  It’s amazing to see how popular the whole ‘emo thing’ has become in recent years and now as a popular trend may have reached it’s peak, along with that comes the slating by the press but this isn’t going to deter anyone tonight as the thousands strong descend on Cardiff’s International Arena for a night of the music they love along with like minded people and that’s what the tour is all about.

The bands install for us tonight are Saosin, Senses Fail, UnderOath, Alexisonfire, Anti-Flag and Talking Back Sunday, each band still promoting they’re 2006 album.  As I arrived at a not so busy venue it seemed to quickly fill up.  Missing Saosin, the first band to take the stage since I arrived was Senses Fail.  Having recently released they’re second full-length album ‘Still Searching’ it’s time to see how they do their thing live.  Opening with 'Your Cute When You scream' the fans kick off in a frenzy, all feeding off Buddy Neilsen's energetic stage presence.  Hurling himself and his mic around the stage and constantly changing his vocal style from the pop-punk twang to the vicious growls, Buddy is entertaining to watch.  The sound at the CIA is doing the band justice tonight, sounding tight and impressive.  I was expecting the band to play more tunes to promote the new album at this show but was surprised by the selection of songs they played, next was Bite To Break Skin, Shark Attack, Martini Kiss, Sick Or Sane, Irony Of Dying On Your Birthday, Rum Is For Drinking and finally finishing off with the classic 187.  This was the second time I’ve seen these and by far the better.

Next up is Christian screamo merchants UnderOath.  I was expecting these guys to be the heaviest on the line up and judging by their opening track ‘In Regards To Myself’ (from the 2006 album of the same name) I’m not wrong.  These guys are sounding brutal and making the most of the sound at the CIA.  Spencer Chaimberlain is sounding on top form tonight, you would think after months of touring, screaming and growling his vocals would be struggling buy now but theres no signs of that.  These guys rock! There is No doubt about it. Having previous releases sounding like a Death Metal band, UnderOath are sounding amazingly heavy with the great contrast when Aaron Gillespie’s softer style vocals shine trough.  Next they play ‘It’s A Dangerous Business’ before really getting the place going with ‘Writing On The Walls’.  Buy far my favourite band of the night and when they play ‘A Boy Brushed Red’ probably the best song of the night.  I’ve seen the guys a few times before and after tonight I’m hoping this will certainly not be the last.

by Dale

You can catch Senses Fail again next year, they will be back in the U.K for a tour with The Sleeping (Victory Records).

Feb 06  -           Glasgow, King Tut’s

Feb 07  -           Manchester, Academy 3

Feb 08  -           Birmingham, academy 2

Feb 09  -           Cardiff, barfly

Fen 10 -           London, Islington Academy