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Ash have had so many "make or break" points in their ten-year career to date that it seems a bit silly to be using the term again. However, there have been a few concerned eyebrows raised that, in the wake of "Free All Angels" bringing them storming back into the limelight three years ago, the group may well go all complacent on our arses and release another "Nu-Clear Sounds" and blow it all again.
Tonight though, the answer to that particular $64,000 dollar question is a comprehensive "no" - Downpatrick's finest are in a ferocious mood tonight and rock just as hard as at any time I've seen them live. It says a lot that they can now chuck "Girl From Mars" in quite stupidly early in the set and still get away with it. The old stuff ("Shining Light", "Sometimes", "Goldfinger", "Walking Barefoot") still sounds great while the turbo-charged newies like "Vampire Love", "Orpheus", "Clones" and "Starcrossed" are where their heads should have been at for "Nu-Clear Sounds", undeniably heavier than what's gone before but with the hook-like riffs and choruses still very much intact.
No worries here kids, this lot have definitely still got it. Catch 'em at the festivals this summer, it'll be your loss if you don't.
Review and pic by Andy James
