Live Review : Gojira + Alien Weaponry + Employed To Serve @ O2 Victoria Warehouse, Manchester on February 19th 2023
This is only my second time here at O2 Victoria Warehouse and I arrive just as UK heavy metal act Employed to Serve begin their set. This five-piece were formed in 2011 and with five studio albums under their belt, supporting the mighty Gojira on this tour must be a dream come true. They are noisy, angry and in your face, so they complement the rest of tonight’s line-up. They charge through a seven song setlist including anthemic ‘We Don’t Need You’ and ear-bleedingly loud ‘Dull Ache Behind My Eyes’ and that is on point. The audience, which is already fairly packed out, seem to be enjoying it but to be blunt, they are simply not for me. I don’t usually do the heavy stuff, so I knew tonight I would be a little out of my comfort zone, but I think, and I am hoping the rest of tonight’s acts can still wow me…
I have wanted to witness the wonder of New Zealand’s Alien Weaponry since I heard them on the radio a few years ago, so I was curious when I saw this bill announced. They consist of Drummer Henry Te Reiwhati de Jong and guitarist/singer Lewis Raharuhi de Jong, who were only 10 and 8 years old when the band formed in 2010! They are joined by bassist Tūranga Morgan-Edmonds. All three members have Māori ancestry and some of their songs are performed in te reo Māori. With two studio albums, the latest album “Tangaroa” released in 2021 has spawned five singles, including three on tonight’s setlist.
The venue is almost full, and the band greet us in a distinctly Maori way, while receiving an equally warm welcome. Their first song ‘Raupatu’ is from their first album “Tū”, it features an excerpt from Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the Māori language version of the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi and having stood on that site, this is a truly mesmerising and moving experience. A firm fan favourite and assault to the senses comes next, ‘Holding My Breath’. Sung entirely in English this song keenly demonstrates how talented this band are, they capture the experience of anxiety so painfully well through their music and their simple, yet arresting, lyrics.
They also play ’Rū Ana te Whenua’, which is dedicated to their great, great, great grandfather who lost his life during battle at Gate Pa in 1864. I may not understand the lyrics but their music has an important message that transcends translation. They are really going for it now as the energy intensifies with the pit whipped up into a final frenzy for ‘Kai Tangata’. While Employed to Serve were noisy, this set is LOUD, with the bass pounding through my chest. The band have powered through their seven-track setlist, thanked Gojira, the crew and most importantly their supporters.
The room, which is already full to bursting, seems to now get even more busy for this sold-out show and there is a definite air of excitement and slight impatience. The curtain drops and what was quite a blank set for our support acts is now a full digital backdrop, accompanied by a highly synchronised light (and smoke) show. They are straight into first song ‘Born for One Thing’ from the latest album, and the screen is transformed into a slightly Tool-esque display, with red lighting pouring out of the sides of the stage. The music is commanding and envelopes the entire crowd.
About three songs into the night, singer and rhythm guitarist Joe Duplantier addresses the audience. Throughout the evening he is a man of few words, yet every time he speaks, he makes his words count. Not surprising for a band who are well known for their spiritual, philosophical, and environmentally focused repertoire, clearly evident in almost all their song titles. He tells us that their loudest gig so far has been Cardiff, so urges us to go louder and only four songs in I am surprised to hear the rousing riffs of ‘Stranded’. This is the first Gojira song I heard, and I still think their best, as it combines the heavy sounds with gut-punching lyrics and that riff… so simple but absolute perfection. Hearing it live again tonight, it sounds better than ever.
They serve up a number of tracks before introducing their first billboard-charting song, ‘Another World’. Accompanied by the video, which has a definite Daft Punk vibe, this song captures the mood and the plight of humanity where quite depressingly it does seem our only hope is another world. And yet… being here and being submerged in this experience is what keeps me and so many other people sane. I have so much respect for bands like Gojira (and Alien Weaponry) for using their music to highlight environmental issues, injustices and social inequality.
We are cajoled into a sing-along before the audience is hit with the next powerful riffage of their second single from the latest album ‘Amazonia’. This stunning track and video addresses the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest and is a spectacle to behold live as the night draws to a close. However, the guys appear to not be done yet and reappear for three more songs. They exclaim it is drum tech Dave’s birthday today and another sing-along is required before they enamour us with Grammy Award Winning ‘Silvera’. After two more songs Joe says, “Thank you, merci beaucoup” and that understated exit is it. The UK tour draws to a close this week before the band head to France, but I have no doubt they will be back on these shores again soon.
Check the “In The Flesh” page for more photos!
With musical tastes that were until quite recently stuck in 1994, music has always been my go-to, my sanctuary, and my saviour on many occasions. Life-long rocker and metalhead, gig goer …