William Control Punishment Tour Satans Hollow Manchester 25.04.2015

William Control Satans Hollow Manchester 25.04.2015

 

Here is a gig I wasn't going to on my schedule, but my good friend Michelle suggested I check this out when I first met her , she's a HUGE fan of 'William Control' so this blog is a joint effort as she gave me the lowdown on the man himself to give me a start and I was lucky to get on the guestlist (even after we had a mix up on the door).

 

The setting tonight is 'Satans Hollow' and it's one of complicated décor, the stage area is rounded like the chasms of hell, behind it a Huge effigy of Satan himself with Red Flashing Eyes, all round the corners are stained glass window effect décor, the venue names itself as a 'Neuromantic-Discotechque'.

 

The audience tonight consists of 14+ boys and girls mainly decked out in 'AshesToAngels' T-shirts a band playing on the bill tonight ..more later, and also more importantly there are mixed ages of  people 20,30,40's hell I even spotted a woman who looked at least 70 I kid you not !!.

 

 

The first band to come on were local band  'Without Andrew'  clearly influenced by Green Day /Blink 182 and with a woman on Bass guitar, the male guitarist with long fluffy blonde locks is quite chatty he even walks out of the stage area to join the crowd outside the rounded stage to jam around and fans can join in with the entertainment which was basically low railings pitched up on hell folks !!

 

2nd support band tonight is from 'AshesToAngels' a Neu -Metal Rock band from Bristol , influenced by 'The Blackout' and early 'Linkin Park' from what I can hear so far ,on walk's the singer, well I say walk's it was more like bounding stomping and leaping onto boxes in front of the stage, his head almost touching the catacombes of hell.

 

He bounces about left to right like an energetic 8 year old on Red Bull, and I'm exhausted and enthralled just watching him as he climbs on the edge of the barrier reaching out grabbing hands, 'Manchester I've lost my voice , I lost it in Whitby' at least I think that is what he says I'm slightly deafened even wearing earplugs standing right next to the speaker with Michelle who has no earplugs tonight ha.

 

He beckons us all to come to front Yelling at us in a frenzy "Come On you people round the side, you'll have more fun down at the front, Get over Here "!!! (no wonder he lost his voice lol!!) I look blankly at a him as he's getting too close at times, No thanks think I'll stay here if its all the same in case I get stood on litererally, there are a lot of girls in here tonight mainly fans of this band , then it all looks like it going a bit wrong for a few minutes when the guitarists battery pack ...well packs up, it dosen't stop the show they just get on with it.

 

Next up the main act 'William Control' , let me explain some important facts 'Will' is better known as lead singer in US Rock band 'Aiden' very heavy vitriolic vocals,heavily tattooed and wearing chains and rings, got it ?? well forget that now because this is now the new persona.

 

Influenced by 'Joy Division', 'Depeche Mode' and 'Bauhaus' he's developed his own sophisticated style , gone is the hard looking metal and chain rough look in is the sexy vampire Neu-Romantic look in make up, wearing purple shirt and custom made Black and White waistcoat with 'WC' logo on the back,when he walks on he bows gracefully points to people around him in the crowd,first thing I notice is the drummer right under our noses at the side and he deliberately spills water over the cymbols and bashes them water flies everywhere a great start... already excited.

 

The songs are really catchy as he begins with  "Adore" (Fall in Love Forever) and everything is going well the atmosphere is very dramatic almost theatrical a killer sound of synth and electro beats, he speaks "Manchester ,so good to be back here so many infuences for me .." he reels off lists of 'Manchester Musicians', he already has the audience in the palm of his hand  and Now Flattery lol.

 

Another song that caught my attention tonight  was 'A New World Order" and also 'Price We Pay", its almost encore time, he is so excited to be back that he punches a cymbol on Ben's drumkit a bit too hard that it falls off , cue emergency support band member singer of 'AshesToAngels' holding the cymbol as Ben bashes it when needed during song 'Razors Edge' and eventually its put back on securely it was so funny and 'Will' laughed he couldn't believe what he'd done it was comical.

 

Then it was time to say goodnight, what a great show highly entertaining, unfortunately 'Will' tell's the crowd that it's the last time in the UK as 'William Control' as he is going back to reform 'Aiden' and  they've recorded a new album for which they will tour for, I think personally he should stick with this route as he is pretty iconic looking onstage with his image and act , that it's almost lost on me when he's singing in 'Aiden' I have only ever seen them once in 2007 and wasn't enamoured I'm afraid.

 

My friend hangs around to chat to them in the venue after the show and I get to meet 'Mr Control' himself who was very charming and polite and I compliment him on his show,a great rock night to kick start the festival season, just round the corner!!

 

So Much to come til next time we rock this place again...

I Bid You Farewell ...Not Goodbye !!!

 

 

 

LMi  & Michelle The Worlds Biggest 'William Control' fan EVER !!!

 

XO