REVIEW: Diaries of a Hero at 229 Venue 2

Stacey Warner went to see Diaries of a Hero at 229 Venue 2 and reported back for us.

Having read Jimmy’s cracking review of the new album from Diaries of a Hero, I was incredibly excited to see them perform at 229 in London. My excitement was entirely justified, it’s been a cracking night.

I arrived at 229’s Venue 2 (conveniently located about 10 minutes walk up from Oxford Circus) in time to catch the first band. I ordered a drink, their drinks were very reasonably priced for alcohol considering the location. Average appeared to be about £3.60 for a pint.

I sat back. Took a deep breath. I was ready to have my mind blown.

The first act was A New Tomorrow. They were a fantastic warm up. They were a very strong unit with a powerful sound but engaging and catchy songmanship and vocals to make you cream yourself. I was now pumped, excited, ready for some face melting metal and boy, did I get it.

Diaries of a Hero are everything a metal band should be. Tight drums, powerful riffs, vocals that will make you see the devil and balls the size of planets. Ok, I’m guessing on the size of their testicles but it takes real manliness to shred your guitar like a badass with a spotty bra around your neck.

Their first song had some face melting guitar riffs and was an apt introduction to the ride we were about to go on. Their second song cranked it up and by now the front row was head banging away. The next song was a display of the raw energy that the band shows as they perform and this was despite apparent tech issues -I honestly didn’t notice. They have an energy that I have no doubt will fill Wembley when they find themselves selling out stadium tours. Their presence was better and more engaging than some of the biggest names in metal (Yes, I’m looking at you Metallica).

After this they performed some songs from their first album. The album clearly has rapport with their following who seemed to enjoy every moment of what was a well loved song. For me the defining moment of the gig then came along. Throughout their set I had been admiring their power, their skill and their enthusiasm but I had yet to find THAT song. A defining, catchy ear worm of a song. Their equivalent of Tornado of Souls or Run to the Hills. The anthem I’d been craving, came in the form of what I believe could be their signature tune: “Behind the Mask”. This was the moment when I knew I loved this band and that this band should be something big.

The gig continued with another absolute anthem and crowd pleaser and then, as all good things must do, it came to an end. They finished on a massive high and we (collectively) wanted, nay, needed more.  The band are comprised of some very talented musicians and genuinely lovely and engaging personalities. They have balls but they have a laughand the ability to make the crowd love them.

To summarise how I felt after their set: much ear ringing and a very sore neck, fuck yeah!

At this point I crashed back on the comfy sofa, enjoying the lavish air conditioning and awaiting the next and final band: Japanese Fighting Fish.

I’m not sure where to begin describing them. Go and see them and make your own mind up. They put on a fantastic show and you won’t be disappointed. They are funky, fun and experimental and seem to draw on a variety of inspirations from the funk of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, the psychedelic of Pink Floyd, the poignant energy of System of a Down but with the stage presence of Mick Jagger.

Please do take the time to listen to these bands, all of whom deserve our admiration. Particularly, go like Diaries of a Hero on Facebook – they’re great guys- and don’t forget 229thevenue to keep you in the loop for more ass kicking, awesome gigs.