Employed to Serve / The Exchange / Bristol

Every had one of those days ? You know, the ones where nothing seems to go right ? Well that was me on Wednesday heading to The Exchange in Bristol excited to see Employed to Serve. I had seen Employed to Serve supporting Gorija on their arena tour earlier in the year (along with Alien Weaponry) and they blew me away, and here they were at one of my favourite venues…. I couldn’t miss this one.

The trip started badly with a delayed train from Nottingham and then a cancelled train at Birmingham New Street. I knew I was going to arrive late and likely miss the supports. Then the trip went from bad to worse when I found that the camera battery I had was dead. I knew I’d charged it, but hey… a faulty battery – bugger ! ☹

I got to The Exchange late but in time for Employed to Serve, and the place was already packed. In some ways, not having to concentrate on photographing made a nice change but it meant no show pics for the review (images includes are from the arena show with Gorija).

Employed To Serve stepped out onto the dark stage all in black to raucous cheers from the Bristolian crowd and they launched into Void Ambition which lit a bonfire under the proceedings. The riffs are powerful and intense and the drums thump into your chest like a punch – its relentless from first note to last. Right off the bat the crowd are bouncing and the intensity levels are off the scale. Justine Jones’ growling vocals are deep and menacing. The track has a great doom metal feel to it as it reaches its conclusion.

As next track Owed Zero starts up, Justine declares to the crowd… “Bristol…. I was to see you fucking moving…” and the bodies are jumpin’ now. And it continues through The Mistake a swirling pit forming. I can see a couple of photographers at the front, and for a change I’m glad to be further back for this one lol. The power riffs dominate as Justine and Sammy trade vocals back and forth.

I’m thinking back to seeing them at the Motorpoint Aren ain Nottingham, and although its great to see bands on a big stage like that, it’s nights like tonight that are what make metal such a powerful and intense genre of music. Small, cramped, dark venues, packed to the gills with hardcore fans, just loving life and bouncing off the walls. There’s something magical about it.

Perhaps track of the set for me was a brilliant rendition of Sun Up to Sun Down with it’s slow hypnotic pulsing drum and riff anthemic styling, with the band members and crowd headbanging in unison before Justine joins in spitting out venomous vocals. Half way through, Sammy shouts “here we go Bristol” and the intensity picks up, the pace quickens and the track builds to a riotous conclusion. Stunning !

Another absolute banger was External Forward Motion where the twin vocals once again assaulted the eardrums and the pulverising bass and drums reached a fever pitch.

But if I’m honest, don’t think there was a single weak link in the setlist chain tonight. The band were tight and delivered a close-knit cohesive performance dominated by powerful riffs, deep and pounding (and rhythmically precise) beats and a growling, intense vocal performance to die for.

I think you can judge a show by the crowd…. And tonight the crowd didn’t stand still for one minute, headbanging, jumping and swirling in the pit from start to finish. By the end it was hot and sweaty and the cool night are was a blessed relief, but boy…. What a show !

Employed to Serve a band where not just the singer, but the whole band command the stage they’re standing on, and they have an obvious connection with the audience. A show of pure energy.

The night had started out like crap, and I thought for a while I miss the show completely, but I was so glad I made it. Employed to Serve turned my day round with a stunning performance. They’re a must see live band for any metal fan, and I can’t recommend them highly enough.