After almost five years California rockers New Years Day made it back to the UK for their tour with special guests Conquer Divide. The almost sold out show also saw support from UK group Fearless Vampire Killers.
There was a lot of anticipation for this gig as New Years Day fans have waited since 2020 to see them live in the UK again. The shows came off the back of the bands most recent album ‘Half Black Heart’ which in my opinion may be some of their best work to date.
The line up for the night felt like an unusual mix of bands, Fearless Vampire Killers opening with their unique theatrical rock sound, while Conquer Divide have a gorgeous metalcore vibe and headliners New Years Day have their own brand of gothic hard rock.
I made it into the venue around halfway through Fearless Vampire Killers set, and my first impression as I saw the five-piece dancing around the stage in what appeared to be shirts and bulletproof vests, was that this was going to be something different, and I was not wrong.
The groups theatrical sound and presence has gained them many loyal fans over the years and it’s easy to see why, they sort of feel like that one really fun friend that everyone wants to be around. They aren’t afraid of getting involved with the crowd, and they even played a song just because someone in the audience wanted to hear it. While their sound didn’t particularly excite me, I liked them as an opener for this show, and they one hundred percent fed energy into the already packed room.
The second act of the night was Conquer Divide and from the second they took to that stage I knew that this was going to be a memorable performance for all the right reasons.
With a sound that lies somewhere between stunning soaring pop melodies and untameable metalcore I was completely enchanted by this band. The soft vocals of Kiarely Taylor seemed to weave magically through the heavier sounds of the instruments creating something that really felt like it could have come from another universe. I had listened to Conquer Divide a bit before the show and I wasn’t sure how their sound would translate live and honestly if you’ve listened to this band recorded and you think they’re good, you must experience them live, I had no idea I could like them even more.
The light beautiful side of Conquer Divide is however completely complimented by the modern gritty metalcore moments which led to many massive mosh pits throughout their set. Much like a fire taking hold the hard rock group lure you in with a gentle warmth before erupting into a fierce explosion of sound. On top of the incredible music they have such a fun stage presence, constantly interacting with the crowd, making little jokes with each other and giving an all-round show that makes these guys a band to watch out for.
Running a little behind schedule California rockers New Years Day were eagerly welcomed by the packed crowd. Everyone piled into the venue and the massive pit formed almost instantly as the band opened with their larger-than-life track ‘Vampyre’. The power of this song set the tone for the rest of the night as the heavy dangerous hard rock guitars hammered alongside singer Ash Costello’s intense vocals.
A few comments made throughout the set about how everyone in Slay that night were the “weirdos” from the frontwoman, which was fully embraced by the crowd really showed how their fanbase is a community, and a room of people who were ready to give their all as the setlist continued. There was a decent mix of songs from across the band’s discography, including their released covers of Kehlani’s ‘Gangsta’ and Panteras ‘F*cking Hostile’, the latter receiving a great crowd reaction with everyone throwing their fists and horns in the air, I truly think this song could’ve been made for them, especially live. I was a huge fan of how Ash’s powerful hard rock vocal quickly transformed into something heavier and her rough screams really grabbed my attention.
As for original tracks they played everything from gothic hard rock heaviness to more pop metal, their varied discography made for a nice, varied set. ‘Shut Up’ which was dedicated to the girlies in the crowd and ‘Come For Me’ were made to dance along with, while tracks off of their recent album ‘Half Black Heart’ are more likely to have you headbanging.
Some other notable moments from the show include during ‘Skeletons’ where somehow singer Ash made it down into the crammed crowd and moved through as she sang the song. However, a moment that really sticks with me was when they played ‘Kill Or Be Killed’, the “Sick, sick, all of us are sick” chant is going to be stuck in my head for days, and it was a really cool to experience it with a room full of people.
Overall, the lineup of this show sort of makes it feel like I attended three completely different gigs in one night, but I can’t complain. I have to say that I think Conquer Divide stole the show for me and if they headline in Scotland I will be there. I also think after all these years it was cool to see New Years Day and I loved the diversity in their setlist, their sound is so polished, and they know how to put on a show. They also looked so cool; the half red half black hair will always be iconic. Too be honest if you get a chance to check out any of these bands I’d recommend going along and seeing what they have to offer.