Looking For Droids - Finborough Arms, Chelsea, London.
By Andy Rawll.
The compelling sound of psyche metal overlords 'Looking For Droids' was perfectly matched to this dark and atmospheric underground venue in West London.
Their unique style melds the rhythmic dynamics of Tool and the dark melodies of Queens of the Stone Age. The savage riffery of opening song 'The Vic' showcased the taut and propulsive style that permeates their excellent debut album 'Delirium Tremens'. This powerful collection of ten songs marks the culmination of the band's steady rise since the current line-up was cemented in 2015.
The title references the medical term for the extreme symptoms (the DTs) of alcohol withdrawal, including hallucination, tremors and confusion, yet although transcendentally transportative, the impact of the music exudes pure pleasure rather than pain. In fact, it's more akin to the experience derived from sampling the award-winning Belgian beer of the same name, described as: "strong, full-some taste, plenty of body and with a long finish."
Live favourite 'Queen of the Droidettes' had a superb Blue Oyster Cult-like groove, with lead guitarist Jason summoning his inner Dharma, while new song 'I Know, You Know' stomped with Zeppelin aplomb, driven by Karl’s powerful and inventive drums and Daverage's popping bass.
Best of all was the closing pairing of two of the best DT tracks. The relentless groove and feral chant of 'Mantra' recalled alt-prog metal titans 'Pain of Salvation', with front-man Pav’s voice racked with emotion. The Tooled-up Floydian funk of 'Damaged Goods' was the perfect representation of this far-from-robotic collective, where explosive riffs, richly sinewed vocals, lithe bass and elaborate percussion combine into a muscle and blood entity whose music entices, thrills and elates.
Despite the strength of their released material, the band took the bold move to sacrifice a number of their best-loved songs from the set including the storm-force wonder of 'Everything' and the hypnotic 'Halo', in order to preview songs from their forthcoming second album. Judging by the doomy magnificence of new songs 'Headspace' and the slamming Doors-influenced '61 Days', their next release will be well worth the wait.
They may still be Looking for Droids, but you can tell that they have already found the force.
www.lookingfordroids.com
@LookingForDroids
@Looking4Droids
Looking For Droids - YouTube Channel
Looking For Droids - Apple Music/iTunes
#LookingForDroids
#DeliriumTremens
Photos by: Andy Rawll (@AndyRocknRawll)
