SEVENDUST

ALL THAT REMAINS SWX, BRISTOL

Given this is only the sixth show the band have performed since the passing of guitarist Oli Herbert, aLL tHat ReMaIns can surely be granted a few songs to iron out some pretty sizeable creases. As it is, by the time Hold On and The Air That I Breathe hit their stride the band not only sound excellent but are clearly enjoying themselves in the process. Prodigious shredder John Richardson delivers an outstanding performance in Oli’s stead while some of the biggest responses are for mighty new offerings Wasteland and Fuck Love, capping off a poignant celebration. seVenDUst are clearly in a party mood as well, wrapping up a first visit to Blighty for seven years with smiles, Santa hats and the chunky grooves of Dirty and Ugly straight off the bat. The choruses of Enemy and Trust see Lajon Witherspoon and crowd in fine voice, Morgan Rose does a fierce job meting out punishment on his kit, and the guitars and hefty bass lay on thick slabs of simplistic might for the likes of Praise and Waffle to cement themselves in your head once again. While it’s a short headline set, it’s enough of a reminder of Sevendust’s enduring appeal.