I've long since grown to accept that many of the bands that float my boat are those that, let's say, have a younger sphere of influence. But even I'm a little perturbed by the age of tonight's audience. Despite the more reflective, less stereotypically angst-ridden nature of Finch's latest album, Say Hello To Sunshine, the band are still pulling in the kids to tonight's albeit not quite as packed as expected show (partially down to bad timing for the student holidays) at the Academy 1. On a similar note, Million Dead might have once seemed an odd choice of support for Finch, but tonight their mix of pop psychology, politics and great eyeball rattling riffs punches holes through the crowd. The gorgeous Julia's hair flails about like a one woman shampoo advert, while Frank side-slides his way across the stage like some Bee Gees-inspired, funk street preacher, barking the climax of 'Breaking The Back' at the enraptured crowd. Hallelujah!

Meanwhile, after a somewhat lacklustre return to the UK at May's Give It A Name show, Finch have it all to play for tonight. Their current tour hasn't been met with the kind of fanfare you'd expect for a band who once attracted hype like moths to the fire - and perhaps there's a fear on the part of some that they might end up getting burned. Not that they should be worried. The thundering intro to 'Insomniac Meat' is no deception for what's to come - a journey into the band's more Dillinger Escape Plan/Glassjaw-esque tendencies, tempered by their own sense of melody. Live you start to see how despite the bellyaching, not that much has changed. Nate still staggers around the stage like a blood-drained-drunk with murderous intent, and Randy still makes the cracks and quips, gushing at the slightly depleted crowd with his love for them (sadly there's no onstage skanking for 'A Man Alone' yet, but we can live in hope). Similarly there's no sign the band are ashamed with what's gone before; thankfully the explosive darkness of 'New Beginnings' is left in, while the sensibly the somewhat flat 'Letters To You' has been given the boot. What's remained just goes to show their new material is simply a growth from what's gone before, not a break. Despite the "mellower" tones, they're darker, and still as vicious as before, if not more so, plumbing depths that make What It Is To Burn seem emotionally shallow in comparison. Some might bemoan the loss of former drummer Alex Pappas, but as anyone who say their recent video knows, the epic melodies of 'Bitemarks And Bloodstains' sounds so much bigger than anything Finch could have done before - ten times more so live than anywhere else. It may be a jolt when a band moves on, but sometimes you've gotta just get up and evolve along with them. With Finch most of all, it's possibly the most liberating experience you'll have in your entire life.

Rating: 5/5 by Ruth Midget

Further links

Drive Thru Records

The online site for Drive-Thru Records, home to bands such as Finch and Allistair

Million Dead.com

Home of Meeeeelion Dead, as we like to call them round here

Finch music.com

Official site. Contains music, merch, tickets and much more