Breed 77

Arriving on stage to 'Carmina Burana’ is a curious choice for Breed 77. It is so clichéd and smacks of bravado but neither point adheres to this band’s ethos. Facing a clump of fans with high expectations in Camden’s subterranean rock hovel, the Mediterranean men bash out a generous helping of their unique, exotic metal - ravishing rock, laced with Spanish guitars and punctuated by rhythmic Flamencan hand claps and djembe beats.
With three albums worth to choose from attention is paid to current long player 'In My Blood (En Mi Sangre)’ including first single 'Alive’, which literally breathes off record, its b-side 'join the dots bullshit' 'Apathy’ and, 'needing no introduction', latest single 'Blind’. But classics like 'World’s on Fire’ pack a fresh punch, too.
Glistening with sweat, pierced-nippled vocalist Paul Isola raves: 'I don’t even have to tell you how good it is to be back', and the hometown crowd return the sentiment. The frontman’s vigorous performance not once impacts on his strong bilingual vocal and for 'something completely different' he takes to a piano tucked away at the side for power-driven ballad 'Look At Me Now’. His self-confessed 'Elton John moment' provides an interval of calm without sacrificing the passion.
After an energetic set the five-piece return to unrelenting chants of their name for a big finish peppered with messages of peace. A stomping cover of 'Zombie’, dedicated to President Bush, precedes a unanimous 'no more war' cry triggered by Paul, which segues into a barrage of requests. Declaring the band as friends of the audience, he invites everyone to the aftershow so the night remains young.
Maybe it’s the lack of mass recognition that keeps Breed 77 so grounded and determined to put on an exceptional show. Their mix of angst, sweat and substance with a romantic, cultural twist has afforded them many a support slot but they rightly belong at the top of the bill as tonight vehemently proved.