By David O’Neill
The day after album number three, ‘Inhale/Exhale’, reached number three in the mainstream album chart was always going to be a good night to see the Crows in Swansea. Shame about the rugby result, but something had to make the day better and this was definitely it.
Supported by Valhalla Awaits and James And The Cold Gun it was going to start well and just improve. Add to that the VERY partisan audience and it was never going to disappoint. It was always going to be a good night. Made a bit more concerned by the announcement that Shane had to miss two personal appearances with the band due to a chest infection, and this gave a little concern to everyone attending…
Anyway, coming on a bit later than planned Valhalla Awaits are a heavy rock five-piece from South Wales. Born out of the ashes of Revoker, The Blackout and Buffalo Summer, Andrew Hunt -(vocals), Rhys Carter, Chris Green (guitars), “Snoz” Lawrence (drums) and Sam Kilby (bass) have been turning heads on the South Wales music scene for the past year or so. Hard driving basslines and drumming is superbly overwritten with two guitar parts that complement each other. Add to this the next “voice of rock” Andrew Hunt and you have a heady mix of grunge based rock akin to Alice in Chains at their best.
There were many in the audience who were looking forward to this (me for one). Whilst the music didn’t disappoint the venue stage lighting packed up after one song leaving the band playing in front of a large audience with only two side stage white lights working. This made photography a bit difficult and even Andrew commented “oh well, playing by candles it is then”. Even this didn’t prevent the band putting on a good 30 minutes, seven song set that started with the new track ‘Door Of No Return’, rapidly followed by ‘Dying Inside’ from the last EP. The dark booming bassline of Sam Kilby on ‘Dying Inside’ kicked off the track before Andrew’s vocals carried the track to the searing solos at the breakdown. I have to say the best track for me was ‘Skin And Bone’ but it impressed me the first time I heard it. With their first headline gig coming up in April, these guys are definitely on an upward trajectory. 
A quick set change gave way to James And The Cold Gun being introduced by the Kate Bush track of the same name before opening up with ‘Chewing Glass’, a bit like Queens of the Stone Age (and a bit of a strange addition to the bill of two rock bands I have to say). I managed to listen to the first three tracks (the others being ‘She Moves’ and ‘Plug Me In’) before I had to leave the pit to get a drink. The sound was, unfortunately not their friend either, it was difficult to hear the vocals. Three guitars, bass and drums was unusual and the sound was very definitely punk-anger driven in style.
Being a fan of “the Crows” since before they played two sets at Download in 2019, there isn’t much that I haven’t already written, except THEY’RE AT NUMBER THREE IN THE ÜK ALBUM CHART. ‘Inhale/Exhale‘ is a wondrous return to sublime song writing from Shane and the guys. With this headline tour to promote the sales, the fact that it has already made the top three just means it may climb higher.
Given the earlier technical issues, the set opened with an animated version of the album artwork before Shane and the guys were silhouetted in white and “Swansea are you reeadyyyyyy?” rang out. The kabuki screen dropped and ‘Fill The Void’ rang through the venue: this is the one I felt had a “Shinedown” feel to it but it is still completely “Those Damn Crows”. ‘Wake Up (Sleepwaker)’ and ‘Sick Of Me’ rapidly followed before Shane made comment on the chart position of the album to cheers and whistles from the crowd (I don’t think partisan even covers it).
‘Sin In Skin’ was followed by the crowd favourite ‘Blink Of An Eye’ when the “Crow family” let the guys know they were in good voice. Each subsequent track was sung in unison. I swear everyone knew every goddamned word.
With very little scaffolding on stage (just the bands usual “footstools”) it was almost time for Shane to “go walkabout” – except there wasn’t anywhere, so when ‘Rock N Roll Ain’t Dead’ got to the “woah oh oh ohs” and “who said rock n roll’s dead”, with the crowd joining in, towards the final time he disappeared for what seemed like an eternity to show up on the balcony at the arena left, then the back left and right left until the song ended. At which point he apologized for taking too long cos he had to “take a “f***ing lift”
‘Go Get It’ and ‘Takedown’ preceded ‘Man On Fire’ as the “last song” before the obligatory walk off stage and encore with ‘Waiting For Me, This Time I’m Ready’, with Shane playing guitar as well! Finally and what is highly likely to replace ‘RnR Ain’t Dead’ as the final song in future is ‘See You Again’ which Shane said was dedicated to the “Crow Family” with every last one joining in with the hook. Astounding, nail on the head, way to finish a homecoming to meet “family”, every single one of whom considered themselves to be in the presence of greatness at this gig. The only better “homecoming” could be if they played Waterton Cross in Bridgend… wait a minute, that’s an idea! Crowfest, (but not until after Steelhouse!)
I have only ever been at in the presence of such a phenomenon once before and that was the ‘Last Domino’ tour of Genesis (albeit because it had a more personal impact). That is the only word that described what happened, a Crow phenomenon. Well done Shane (plus chest infection), Dave, Lloyd, Shiner, Ronnie and the production team. This was a production, not just a gig. Outstanding.
- ‘Inhale/Exhale‘ is out now.
Those Damn Crows headline the Primordial General Mayhem festival at KK’s Steel Mill in Wolverhampton on Saturday 29 April. They then head back out on the road, supporting Goo Goo Dolls in June:
