19th November 2021
Having not seen a live gig since you know what, hit almost two years ago, when I saw Employed to Serve’s tweet that they were touring the UK in support of their new superb album Conquering, and that they happen to be passing through Tunbridge Wells Forum which is no less than a 10-minute walk from my sister’s house, I jumped at the chance to go.
But no sooner had I booked my flights had the anxiety kicked in. In Ireland, as I write this, restrictions have come back in and we are not likely to see any live music until next year at least, face masks are still mandatory whereas in the UK they are not. How would I feel being in a venue so close to other people, sweating (even though I have missed the smell of the mosh pit, I must admit) and heavily breathing on each other?
The anxiety of the walk from the local pub to the venue was unlike I have felt before, Im not sure if it was the fact I hadn’t been to a gig in so long, or that I was concerned about the covid situation. All that anxiety was instantly gone as soon as I walked into the venue. It is a small, stuffy venue selling cans of beer, it is exactly what I had been missing.
Support act Graphic Nature (7) came on stage about 8.30pm and the venue was two thirds full at that point, which I didn’t expect but I was delighted to see such a good turnout for them. Unfortunately, the sound is quite muddied for the first two songs but that was sorted soon after. The band (self-confessed) play nu metal but with plenty of huge breakdowns which has heads a rocking, they also use some great samples into and out of songs, all while hoods up. The band are infectiously enthusiastic and have done their job in warming the crowd ready for Woking’s finest.
Enter tonight’s main act, Employed to Serve (10). The place is absolutely rammed at this point and you can feel the excitement of the crowd. They kick off with Universal Chokehold and from the minute they step up on stage the crowd are bellowing the lyrics back at them. Justine Jones is literally smiling (well except when she is singing) the whole way through and Sammy is encouraging stage divers which is something you will only get in these smaller venues.. The set is unsurprisingly heavily loaded towards the new album, and rightly so. The highlights include a monstrously heavy ‘Sun Up To Sun Down’ and instant classic ‘Mark of The Blade’. Other tracks which go down just as well include the title track from 2019’s Eternal Forward Motion and an encore of ‘I spend my Days’ which sends the pit into a frenzy.
Employed to Serve should be considered a national treasure. Not only do they work their arses off and put out incredible music, but they are the humblest people you will meet. If you get the chance, catch them next year when they will be supporting Gojira.
Joey
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