REVIEW: Band of Skulls Engine Rooms Southampton

By Shaun Williamson

SOUTHAMPTON Three piece Band of Skulls return to their hometown at a sold out Engine Rooms on the back of their 4th album By Default.

Staying true to the skeletal theme, support was provided by Bones, also a three piece outfit from Camden who receive a great reception after a strong, stomping set.

There is a huge buzz in the room which soon becomes a frenzied roar as dancing blue lights reveal a stained glass church window style backdrop, presumably a nod by the band to the location they chose to record and rehearse By Default in - a baptist church in Southampton. The rumbling opening riff of "In Love by Default" cranks up the atmosphere and is the platform for a slick and polished performance. "Himalayan", the title track from their previous album goes down brilliantly, and long serving fans are clearly pleased to hear a fair few tracks included from their back catalogue.

We are treated to roaring renditions of Black Magic and So Good, the latter song showcasing the way Emma Richardson and Russell Marsden's voices complement one another perfectly, in fact a notable theme is just how controlled and well rehearsed the vocals are.

Marsden speaks of how proud they feel of their roots and all three band members sport huge, beaming smiles as they take in the adoration of the town they grew up in.

It is a relentless set which is broken up beautifully by "Honest", a song from their debut album that sees drummer Matt Hayward take up an acoustic guitar and spark a mass singalong before fan favourite "The Devil takes Care Of His Own" raises the roof once more.

It is a triumphant return for a band who have not yet made the transition to the stadiums their anthemic blues tainted sound richly deserves. But their stock is only rising, and after delivering yet another polished and emotive performance they surely will not fly under the rock radar for too much longer.