Hadouken! Live

At the ICA last night just 200 people witnessed something special.

Neon and fluorescent colour, cutting and resonant lyrics and huge beats filled a stage which was invaded by fans.

Hadouken! may not do subtlety, they may not even care whether what they say is understood, but they are definitely going to let you know that are here and in your face.

Superstar opened with a monster outlet of heavy drums and dense guitars, all fronted by a lead lyricist that is as provocative as any punk front man.

This performance though doesnt flow, it flashes. Liquid Lives sounds like The Prodigy at the height of their punk/rave powers- the crowd throbs with excitement letting Hadouken! know about it.

The highlight of the night has to be Day Job where the crowd simply takes ownership of the lyrics and the band ride out the euphoria within the wall of sound.

Very little is said in-between tracks, amidst the music the words nothing metal, nothing grimey, nothing ironic are shouted out to the masses to confirm that the band are not about to be pigeon holed.

For all its raw energy, dirty synths and heavy distortion you cant but feel that the wave they are upon, whether it is nu-rave or not, will continue to roll over all that care to listen.

The crowd left last night after crashing the stage and riding out the finale in true rave fashion, all Hadouken! could do was simply step aside and take a back seat, something tells me that wont happen very often.

Scott Compton