This said, it was probably even better that Million Dead, and incidentally Peter Andre which is why this gig wasn’t sold out, were playing in Norwich. This being the bands first time here since Halloween, where Frank, as he admitted on stage, ‘wore a dress’ on stage, so it had been quite a wait for the fans to see their beloved Million Dead. Before all that though were the anonymous band (because I can’t remember their name, sorry!) they were the first band of the night. Who presented a quirky pop punk outfit but generally despite giving an ok-ish performance, their music was mediocre at best. Worst of all their set seemed to drag on for quite some time.

Young hopefuls Xisloaded were next up on the bill starting their set with a rather weird array of first a telephone conversation and then other samples before any of the band had even got on stage. Nether the less when they did come they made themselves heard with a pretty impressive set, however musically they continued to sound like pretty much every other generic moody nu-grunge/rock band in the UK right now and failed to impress. When lead singer Jake Robertson climbed the PA system to play one chord, it was getting pretty aggravating to watch, and you just wanted to throw stuff at the man. Nice one for trying though.

And after their, oddly smaller set than the previous band, Million Dead finally came onstage to the first real reception from the crowd all night. This was content when new guitarist Tom began the riff to the ferocious ‘Breaking the Back’. Played with an amazing amount of emotion and power from all members, this truly was a special introduction to the show. Before the fans could show their appreciation though, the band went straight into ‘MacGyver’ with a certain, cool, tight performance. It was then when the band gave the fans a chance to show their appreciation for their presence that evening and in turn the band showing their appreciation for the presence of the fans. They then went into the lyrical headstrong anthem that is, ‘Charlie and the Propaganda Myth Machine’. The band then previewed a couple of new songs, and showed them off with a certain confidence too as they were giving an insight into things to come for Million Dead. They were soon back to revamping classics ‘Pornography For Cowards’ and ‘Sasquatch’ though and generally, despite recently losing key member and guitarist Cameron only two weeks before this show, played very smooth and like they really were ready to take on the rest of the world.

To the latter part of the set however they were pulling all the strings (see what I did there?) to make the fans extremely happy to see Million Dead back in Norwich by finishing the set with ‘Smiling at Strangers on Trains’, ‘I Gave My Eyes To Stevie Wonder’, ‘I Am The Party’ and ‘The Rise and Fall’ each songs fan favourites to their own extent and each, the fans were extremely happy to see and hear. The band also showing their flavour for innovation as they in fact concentrated most of, natural finale and incredibly strong instrumentally, anthem ‘The Rise and Fall’ on Ben’s drum work and kept some solid beats throughout the song, and when it was just him in the middle of a wall of feedback.

Possibly the bands last tour (apart from festivals) before they begin work on a new studio album, and it was probably their strongest yet as Million Dead look ready to grab their potential to its full extent and create something further more, truly special.

Adam Turner-Heffer