TREMONTI
THE RAVEN AGE/DISCONNECTED
Alter Bridge’s axeman extraordinaire gets intimate in East Europe
Nestled amoNg featureless high-rise student accommodation miles from the charming buildings of Krakow’s historic centre, the diminutive Klub Kwadrat isn’t the kind of place you’d expect to see someone who’s spent the decade playing huge arenas, not to mention the Royal Albert Hall, with his day job, and even supporting Iron Maiden with his solo project. However, there’s a real blue-collar attitude and dedication to his craft that ensures Mark Tremonti is forever on the road, delighting his passionate fans who come to sing along and marvel at his skills, no matter how large in number. It’s an approach not lost on French newcomers dIsCoNNeCted who, despite only having a few dozen punters to impress so early in the evening, take it all in their stride as their impressively catchy tech metal is delivered with precision and composed showmanship. Having played a sold-out show in this venue with Killswitch Engage earlier in the year, London metallers tHe raVeN
age seem to have built up a strong following in Krakow and get an immediate response. With a sleek professionalism to match their passion, the range of new singer MJ gives the band a sturdier presence, while the two new songs, Surrogate and Betrayal Of The Mind, are the most impressive, certainly boding well for their important upcoming second album. However, when it comes to an onstage aura, there are few who can match tremoNtI’s frontman, given that the humble guitarist has been one of the finest musicians on the planet for the best part of two decades. Indeed, it’s difficult to peel your eyes from his left hand as he’s producing dazzling solos while wearing the trademark grin of a man totally immersed in his craft. It’s more than a one-man show, though, with bassist Tanner Keegan catapulting his instrument around the stage while outstanding drummer Garrett Whitlock seems to be falling off his stool with his excursions on the likes of the rapid-fire Wish You Well. And while the musicians are impressive, the songs themselves are the real stars, with four top albums of chorus-driven, metal-plated hard rock ensuring that the 90-minute set never drops in momentum or quality, whether it’s the lighters - (well, phones nowadays) aloft melodies of Dust and Trust to the raging Bringer Of War and Catching Fire all possessing hooks that any mainstream-chasing wannabes would trade their designer ink for. No matter what the stage, this is just another example of a rare talent making it all look so damn easy.
ADAM REES