The Horrors

Four years is a long time in music. As far as The Horrors are concerned it could be another lifetime altogether. When the adolescent garage punk of Strange House landed unceremoniously on DiS' doormat back in the spring of 2007, it's probably fair to say no one could have predicted many commentators calling its creators the most progressive, forward-thinking band on UK shores. Indeed, any such suggestion at that time would have resulted in a visit from the men in white coats. Nevertheless, two astonishingly flawless albums later, that is exactly where we are. If 2009's Primary Colours left all and sundry flabbergasted, the arrival of Skying in July of this year provided further evidence that its predecessor was anything but a fluke. It raised the bar even higher to a level many of their peers have found unattainable, never mind The Horrors. Still, they said that after Isn't Anything a good three years before the arrival of Loveless. I reference My Bloody Valentine because if there's any band of modern times that draw parallels with The Horrors it is they. And before anyone considers booking my appointment with the men in white coats, consider this:

Patchy, uninspiring garage influenced debut album heavily indebted to The Cramps - CHECK.
Unexpectedly ingenious guitar heavy follow-up years later that bore no trace in sound or style to that of its predecessor - CHECK.
Even more adventurous third record that sounds like nothing else on earth never mind released that very same year - CHECK.

Sure, there are definite influences. Whereas acid house undoubtedly played its part in the making of Loveless, The Horrors' parents record collections unashamedly helped shape the face of Skying. But then we've always known from day one their knowledge of and taste in music was second to none.

No, it takes an exceptionally gifted bunch of people to pull off such a startling transformation, and The Horrors seemingly possess those talents in abundance. Of course that doesn't mean doubts don't exist regarding their ability to transcend the recorded output into a live arena successfully. For a band reliant on the finer elements of sound production, mixing and engineering there's always going to be teething problems and that's exactly what happens this evening, for the first couple of songs at any rate.

Fortunately, the fact that the show has been upgraded to the more salubrious and acoustically refined confines of Rock City means such annoyances are shortlived to the point of being forgotten by the time 'I Can See Through You' restores parity both on and off stage. It's to their credit that they've become one of this nation's hottest properties thanks to the quality of their music rather than any media hype, and their decision to play a set that completely ignores their much-maligned debut in favour of alternately placed highlights from both Primary Colours and Skying speaks volumes. What this entails is an impeccable 'Scarlet Fields' that quickly segues into 'Dive In' unnoticeably, before 'Endless Blue' alters the pace and temperature in equal measures.

Perhaps the most difficult decision The Horrors have to make at this present moment in time is choosing which song to end the set with. There aren't many bands that can boast three jawdroppingly cataclysmic curtain closers yet Faris Badwan and co. possess three undisputed finales in their armoury. That two of those, a near ten-minute 'Sea Within A Sea' and anthemic 'Still Life' (cue audience mouthing every single word back at the beaming frontman) bring the main body of the set to its knees only sets pulses racing for the encore, where the third of those 'Moving Further Away' raises the roof and some, literally to the point where someone gets carried away and soaks all and sundry in a shower of Red Stripe.

Of course there are still some unconvinced by the unprecedented rise of The Horrors, and several criticisms persist as the aftermath is discussed in the hostelry round the corner. Nevertheless, early sound issues aside, tonight marks another triumph in the seemingly unstoppable march of The Horrors. Next stop the Arena? The possibilities are boundless.