New Zealand native hard rock band Like A Storm came stateside to headline the first ever satellite radio stations Sirius XM Octane Accelerator tour. This tour was created to help up and coming rock bands to get more exposure and with Like A Storm being frequently played on the station, it was an obvious choice to star in this project, though still relatively unknown to American rock fans. Like A Storm is accompanied on tour with Canadian rock band Royal Tusk and Florida metal band Afterlife.
The twenty city tour on Tuesday February 12th made a stop in New York City. Fittingly New York was getting hammered by harsh winter storm (cue bands name) and there was thought of cancelling the show, but the decision was made to go forward and play it. Although the crowd because of the weather was sparse,the show proved to be excellent otherwise.
Like A Storm got out of the gates running, and played their hit track from the new album “Catacombs” called “Pure Evil”, a six minute masterpiece which served as great insight about what to expect from the band. Featuring a wide display of heavy riffs combined with slower parts, and vocalist Chris Brooks multi level vocal abilities along with his brother Matt who was excellent on lead guitar, and has a great part in many of the band’s songs as a vocalist too. Their other brother Kent on bass and backing vocals make up the family unit that was joined by Zach Wood on drums.
From the band’s new album which was released on June 22nd of the last year, they played five more songs – Catacombs, Solitary, Complicated (Stitches & Scars), The Bitterness and The Devil Inside.
One of the bands signatures is Chris’ ability to play Australia’s native instrument, the didgeridoo. The unique instrument is very often used in songs and Chris had four of them placed on the stage which the fans showed appreciation for the new sounds presented to them.
The band finished their set with one of their biggest hits “I Love The Way You Hate Me”, with Chris getting off the stage and joining the crowd to sing the last verse. All the die hard rock fans who braved the treacherous weather joined in the singalong and it really showed the amazing showmanship by the band and was able to keep everybody engaged from start to finish.
The tour definitely helps for all bands involved to get their name to the larger audience, and enjoy special airtime at Sirius XM Octane radio station. Like A Storm was introduced to the New York rock fans by the radio stations personalities Jose Mangin and Grant Random.
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Andris Jansons
