STICK TO YOUR GUNS

COUNTERPARTS/EMPLOYED TO SERVE

THE DOME, LONDON When a band as critically acclaimed as

EMPLOYED to serve are the opening act, you know you’re in for a treat. The Woking quintet are utterly crushing and, even with fierce competition, tonight never gets heavier than the two new songs they bust out. Counterparts leap the bar set by ETS by ploughing through a set of devastating emotional hardcore, mainly leaning on last year’s

You’re Not You Anymore. It’s mightily impressive, and the reaction shows that Counterparts could have headlined with ease. You must have some self-assurance to bring those two out on tour with you, and within about 15 seconds of opener

What Choice Did You Give Us? it’s clear that stick to YOUR Guns’ confidence is more than justified. The Californians deliver the brute power of hardcore, the warp speed of punk and the truthful heart of emo in one completely unique package. And, while the dexterity of his band should be applauded, it’s frontman Jesse Barnett who is the true star here. Whether he’s angrily screaming, hitting skyscraper melodies or addressing the crowd with a rarely seen level of candour, he is impossible to ignore. And impossible not to believe in.