InMe - Leicester Firebug

A modest crowd met melodic rockers InMe at Leicester’s Firebug in early December. I say modest, yet this was the small venue testing its capacity; it was packed, sporting an admirable ‘sold out’ poster on the door.

This gig was all part of their unique album tour – a collection of dates where the band played one album per night, from first piece ‘Overgrown Eden’ to their latest effort, ‘Herald Moth’, all to coincide with the release of their greatest hits album, ‘Phoenix’.

Tonight it was Herald Moth, and as the band took to the stage, we were met with the resonating acoustic guitar of the intro track ‘You Won’t Hear From Me Again’, which swiftly amounted to distortion fuelled, cutting guitar chords and a pounding drumbeat, adorned perfectly by singer Dave McPherson’s lyrics.

After a couple overdrive-lead tracks that incited the crowd into a loyal sing-along, an acoustic guitar was brought forth, sparking a break from the heaviness with the song “All Terrain Vehicle”. Far from dimming the audience’s energy, this intensely melodic song was met with the same mimicking roars, if a little bit more graceful. The song culminated in an air-guitar-inducing solo by the newest addition to the band, guitarist Gazz Marlow, proving he is more than capable at his post.

The atmosphere was great, far from the detached professionalism that bands of similar high-end talent might display, the band were laid back and interacted with the crowd, with even a bit of banter included. Despite a slight hiccup in the sound system, the band ensued relentlessly, proving on countless occasions that they were really at the top of their game. Highlights of the album songs included ‘Ferocity in Desire’, which boasted drummer Simon Taylor’s talent in its impressive intro, and also the band’s immense skill at hefty breakdowns. The brutal “Master Storm” could be described as nothing short of epic, with an opening riff that let out a flurry of notes in less time than can possibly be legal, and a climax that was as melodic as it was insane. Bassist Greg McPherson continued to show his prowess at his instrument with complex and complementary bass lines in “Happy to Disappoint You”.

With Herald Moth conquered as the last notes of “Master Storm” subsided, the band initiated their encore with the addition of Fei Comodo front-man Marc Hall. The band then performed a bewildering switch around of instruments to deliver a more obscure song from their back catalogue, “Ophion Luteus”. The dreamy, almost eerie song was executed perfectly, as well as displaying each member’s versatility with instruments. I’d heard some of Marc Halls’ solo stuff before, and as he left the stage after the song it was to definite approval, surely rewarding Fei Comodo a glowing first impression to those who were unfamiliar.

The band continued their set, now featuring songs from all three of their previous albums. Included was the fan-favourite “Faster the Chase”, which had clearly been honed to perfection due to its rich response by fans over the years. The ballad “Her Mask” was a worthy closing song, mixing soft verses and gentle guitar licks with resounding blasts of the overdriven chorus and octave-defying vocals.

The gig was a fitting display of the present-day InMe; capable of playing their grungey earlier material with the same keen edge, whilst deeply engrossed with the melodic, technical (yet not too technical) genre they’re shaping for themselves with their last two albums. Needless to say, InMe still has astounding potential and this performance portrayed the experience the band already has behind it.

- Review by Tiffany Frost and Nat Ling