Shaman’s Harvest
O2 Academy Islington, London
seventh March 2025
Shaman’s Harvest fulfil a dream by taking part in in London for the primary time since forming in Missouri nearly 30 years in the past. Band and followers alike are thrilled.
The world might look like a nightmare proper now, however goals are nonetheless coming true. Tonight, at O2 Academy Islington, it’s taking place for 2 bands and their followers in actual time. When Blacktop Mojo’s Matt James chokes again tears singing Prodigal (“I wish to see the world by my very own eyes/ Climb a mountain to see the sky”), it’s clear how a lot taking part in in London for the primary time means to a band began in Texas over a decade in the past. That the viewers readily fill within the gaps for him solely underlines the purpose.
Headliners Shaman’s Harvest have waited even longer to make it right here. Since forming 29 years in the past, the five-piece have graduated from Missouri dive bars to crossing the US with the likes of Low cost Trick and Nickelback. However March 2025’s fittingly named About Time tour marks their first go to to the UK and Eire. They’re visibly thrilled — not simply to be right here, however by the nice and cozy reception — and switch in a no-holds-barred efficiency that begs the query “What the hell took so lengthy?”
They’ve the songs, from chunky post-grunge rockers to bluesy strutters. They’ve the chops: singer Nathan Hunt croons and roars whereas three different band members harmonise; guitarist Derrick Shipp may simply as simply be a part of The Allman Brothers Band as Alice In Chains. They’ve the arrogance and charisma: Hunt, who overcame throat most cancers simply over a decade in the past, has the convenience of a person who’s been doing this for 3 many years; bass participant Twine Bishop has the balls to sing Welcome To The Machine only a few hundred metres from the place Pink Floyd as soon as had a recording studio.
And so they have the devoted viewers: middle-class males approaching their 60s shout strains like Harmful’ “I’m a glutton for punishment/ Yeah, it makes me really feel alive” or Nation As Fuck’s hillybilly manifesto “I like gettin’ ass, chilly lush beer/ Takin’ names bought nothing to worry”; Silent Voice is a particular request from a fan who’s travelled all the best way from Italy.
Her journey will need to have been worthwhile as highlights are loads. The Come Up, powered by drummer Adam Zemanek’s pounding, guitarist Josh Hamler’s riffing, and people tripled backing vocals, begins the fireplace. Blood In The Water effortlessly slips from gospel to nation to heavy rock and again once more.
Model new single Rock ‘N’ Roll Queen is an irresistible no-nonsense stomp that might match on an early ’70s Stones file. Evolving from a blues jam, the southern fried Soul Crusher pays tribute to their roots. Silent Voice is a touching energy ballad that turns from tender to the sort of fiery instrumental outro that Lynyrd Skynyrd preferred. In Chains brings again these gospel BVs and that nation twang whereas including brooding, sludgy fashionable rock.
And nearer Dragonfly, from 2009, finds Hunt’s voice absolutely unleashed, whereas the remainder of the band shift from moody restraint to the all-out pummeling of contemporary rock songs of the period. That they will nonetheless pull off the depth over 15 years later and on the finish of a set like this, speaks volumes about Shaman’s Harvest’s endurance. Simply don’t wait one other 29 years to return.
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Yow will discover Shaman’s Harvest on their web site in addition to Fb and Instagram.
Phrases by Nils van der Linden. You may go to his writer profile for Louder Than Battle right here and his web site right here.
Images by Simon Reed. His web site Musical Photos is right here and you’ll go to his writer profile for Louder Than Battle right here. He tweets as @musicalpix.
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