God Is An Astronaut
Saturday 15th December 2012 – Vicar Street, Dublin
It’s baffling how God is an Astronaut are not more popular in Ireland. It’s probably got something to do with the fact that they’re an instrumental band but saying that both Enemies and And So I Watch You From Afar are other Irish bands that let the music do the talking and leave the vocals at home and yet they seem a lot more popular. Going by tonight’s performance on this chilly Saturday night they should be massive. Tonight is God is an Astronaut’s biggest headline gig to date, celebrating a whole ten years since they formed and released their debut album The End of the Beginning. The band seem to have their own cult following over here with plenty of metal heads thrashing to the vast array of heavy-as-hell guitar riffs, great beats and a solid rhythm section. They simply blow the roof off Vicar St. The Wicklow band are led by guitarist Torsten Kinsella with his brother Neils on bass. Previously the band were just a three-piece with Lloyd Hanney on drums but they have supplemented their sound with the additions of Jamie Dean on keyboards and another guitarist in the shape of grunge looking upstart Gazz Carr. Carr also heads up his own band The Butterfly Explosion who have toured as the support act for God is an Astronaut in the past.
Their set is a good mix of new and old, ‘From Dust to the Beyond’, ‘Remembrance’ and ‘Zodiac’ all receiving a cracking reception. It wasn’t until songs from the bands second album All is Violent, All is Bright, when they became more popular, that things kick up a notch. ‘Forever Lost’, ‘Fragile’ and the album’s title track are all highlights. High point of the night was when Torsten introduced their first ever song ‘Route 666’ when he described how himself and Neils used to play along to the song with a backing track. The crowd loved it and it rocked hard. Another brilliant performance then from God is an Astronaut. They definitely improve with age. Let’s hope the next decade continues in the same vain.
