CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX
VENUE THE UNDERWORLD, LONDON
DATE 21/03/2019
“Tonight’s closer, an almighty rendition of Pink Floyd’s Echoes, a band of godlike significance to both CBP and their audience alike, truly wins the day.”
The winds of change blow strong in the cinematic world of Crippled Black Phoenix. When caught up with, was the sonic equivalent of a fresh start, a record full of light, space and cautious hope. But four songs into tonight’s show, Greaves has another announcement: for the purposes of this tour the band have invited three new members into their fold, all of whom are just three days into the job. After the gig, Greaves confirms to that the majority of the personnel changes aren’t permanent: guitarist Jonas Stålhammar is currently busy with his other band, Swedish metal pioneers At The Gates, and live drummer Ben Wilsker apparently couldn’t get the time off work. He does, however, confirm that bassist Tom Greenway has recently left the band and Ryan Patterson of support act Fotocrime, who opened tonight’s proceedings with a stellar set of industrial, Sisters Of Mercy-esque drum machine gloom, is filling in on double duties. “An initiation by fire!” Greaves jokes, introducing the new guys – guitarist Andy Taylor, drummer Gáspár Binder and Patterson to the crowd. “Get your sleeping bags out because we’re doing a full set.” He’s not kidding; tonight’s gig is a mammoth, two hour-plus show that draws from the many crevices and corners of the band’s brooding 13-year career.
