Alec Empire (Camden)

The last time former Atari Teenage Riot man Alec Empire brought his digital hardcore roadshow to the UK was in 2005, and a lot’s changed since. He’s still got sampler / keyboard / general bleepy noise-maker Nic Endo in tow, along with his trademark anti-authority bile, but that’s about all that remains of the old Empire live show with new band, The Hellish Vortex.

The third solo record, 'The Golden Foretaste Of Heaven', eschews much of the Trent Reznor-ish heavy industrial guitar grind in favour of a colder, Gary-Numan style eighties electro noise, and the live set relies almost entirely on this simultaneously new and old sound. All well and good, you may say, but does it live up to the sheer ferocity of Empire’s former live persona?

The short answer is no, though there is still the odd glimmer of the rock god responsible for many a Kerrang! kid’s foray into the feedback-ruled world of electronic noise. The moshpit-inducing old-school industrial anthems 'Addicted To You' and 'The Ride' are the undoubted highlights of the night, and though there are moments in the newer material where Empire gets the crowd going, nothing quite reaches those levels of frenzied brilliance.

The trouble, see, is that Empire’s seemingly happier nowadays. He’s stopped dyeing his hair black, maybe to signify his mellowing as a performer, and even takes time for a few tongue-in-cheek robotic dance moves during 'Robot L.O.V.E.'. Don’t worry, though. He doesn’t crack the slightest hint of a smile, thankfully.

If he were another performer, tonight would have been absolutely fine. The new record is decent enough and Empire and co are never anything less than engaging, though there’s the faintest whiff of underachievement filling the room. Empire, when on form, is amongst the top rock performers on the planet. A set which only really catches fire for two songs is nowhere near good enough by these high standards. A crowd of confused, yet still devoted fans are left somewhat disappointed.

Dingwalls, Camden, 5th March 2008.

Written by Nick Aldwinckle.