A darkness came over McChuills on Thursday night. A glorious, epic darkness that the expectant crowd drank in, captivated by the mix of Americana, country twang and the occasional spaghetti western sounds of the Heathen Apostles. First and foremost it HAS to be about the music and that box was ticked again and again. Add in a visual look that mesmerised and we had a potent blend that made for a heady gig experience.

The four members of the band took to the stage, all dressed in black and for over an hour played songs from their new album The In Between as well as tracks from their back catalogue and a couple of cover versions to boot. To the left, Thomas Lorioux (Frantic Flintstones, Roddy Radiation & the Skabilly Rebels) slapped his double bass with dexterous skill, his fingers a blur on the fret board.

Classically-trained fiddle player Luis Mascaro eked out sounds that were irresistible to the ear while guitarist/mandolin player Chopper Franklin (The Cramps/Mau Maus) was every inch the grizzled rocker. On vocals was Mather Louth, flame-haired and with porcelain skin, an enchanting songstress, a beguiling presence with a voice that melded with the music perfectly.

Louth’s opening vocal to Hank Williams Ramblin’ Man sent shivers down the spine. Bellowing in the tunnel shaped room, reverberating of the walls before the band come in. The mix of fiddle, mandolin and bass evoking a haunting effect. In short, I’ve never heard anything like it and the memory will live for a long time, a truly gothic, beautiful take on an old classic.

There was also a nod to the memory of Mark Lanegan, the band doing a cool take on The Gravedigger’s Song but it’s on their own material that the band truly shined. On record, the songs are great but live they seemed to take on a new life. Perhaps it was being in the room. The bass, fiddle, mandolin and guitar elevated the sound to what was a great gig.

It’s difficult to pick out a highlight, though Without A Trace was fun, a hoedown hillbilly freak out while Two For The Road was a hands down rocker. Aside from the music, Mather was taken aback and delighted with the crowd singing “here we, here we fuckin’ go” before the encore. A first, apparently, for the Heathen Apostles and hopefully reason enough for them to return in the not too distant future! Special mention to Colin Duff and Under The Wires Promotions for putting the show on – check out their upcoming gigs here.

Overall, a tip top gig by an accomplished band that deserve to be heard. Go check out the Heathen Apostles via their website HERE.

John Welsh
Intocreative UK