HOLY COW!!! Or words to that effect..... If it looks like Oli Brown; if it walks like Oli Brown; but it makes a glorious, brain-crushing roar, then it must be RavenEye. The metamorphosis is complete; from be-suited Blues munchkin to hyper-active dark elfling. Oli isn't so much pushing the Blues envelope as dragging it by the [guitar] neck, kickin' and screamin' into new territory; not so much the 1970's "heavy" power-trio Blues, but more a Seattle "grunge" feel, not unlike Soundgarden....
This though isn't some "side-project" for Oli; Oli is one third of this monster. Up front, matching Oli's guitar riff for riff is powerhouse bassist Aaron Spiers, and though he's at the back, there's no way you can ignore Kev Hickman pummelling the drum like a demented octopus; one of the best young drummers I've seen in a while and really pleased that's he's found a band that "fits" him. Put these three elements together and the energy released is amazing; Oli flies round the stage (and the floor) like a mad-thing, bouncing off the walls, the drums and Aaron who's prowling and chasing him round; Kev is hammering out powerful beats while looking like he's swatting the other 2 off his kit. And there's the air of spontaneity; Oli's known for having a wonder through the crowd, playing guitar; sitting on Aaron's shoulders doing it, while Aaron's playing bass is a bit of a twist; but to decide to climb the balcony railings while singing is a bit new - I'm sure that had the crowd been a bit thicker there'd have been some old-school stage-diving.... No doubt about it, Oli's been unchained, and he's got a couple of mates of the same mind with him.
As for the music, well, if you're expecting No Diggityand the like, then no chance; this was a 75 minute set of the Breaking Out E.P. and a load of new stuff which, the guys want to get into a studio and record, really soon. It's powerful, driving stuff, but Oli still knows how to hook his audience in, Roxanne style; there are, quieter moments that skilfully allow the crowd (and band) to catch their breath, but then it's back to headbanging glory.
Would I want to go see them again? Quoth the RavenEye - All The More.....
Edit:- from Worcester, a couple of nights earlier... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtoQqfn_xF8
When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons. Why were the lemons free? What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...