DEVIL SOLD HIS SOUL
MANCHESTER ACADEMY 3, MANCHESTER
It’s 10 years on from the release of Devil Sold His Soul’s third album, Empire Of Light, and tonight it’s to be played in full. Even if the room isn’t packed out for the London post-hardcore crew, there’s a healthy cluster of fans ready to bask in the glory of a record they hold near and dear. Opener No Remorse, No Regrets kicks things off on a high, the graceful ambience swelling before breaking into howling vitriol. You can hear the roots of many a metalcore act throughout, each track’s juxtaposition of bruising pain and soft post-metal textures as poignant as ever. Recent line-up changes only heighten the dynamic ebb-and-flow; when dual vocalists Ed Gibbs and Paul Green growl in harmony, Empire Of Light feels revitalised. “The worst thing about being 37 is losing your voice during the first song,” Ed jokes, despite being a firecracker for the entire set. The crowd match his energy, moshing for VIII and triumphant closer/Paul’s debut song Time. Overall, it’s a less intense affair than Empire Of Light would have seen in its heyday, but one of nostalgic glee nonetheless.