Rock n’ Roll Christmas comes early as Clutch bring stoner rock, metal, blues, monstrous riffs and timeless boogie to their triumphant sold out show
at Manchester Academy.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(5/5)

**CLUTCH PERFORMING AT MANCHESTER’S ACADEMY**
**PHOTOCREDIT: TREV EALES**

First up tonight are self-styled stoner punks, Bosakka. As the crowd wander in the Norwegian trio deliver 30 minutes of relentless riffing. It’s forceful, powerful stuff but with lead vocalist Jorn Kaarstad bringing a degree of self-depreciation and dry humour to their hard edged delivery. And playing in the heart of Manchester, are their Liverpool FC shirts down to fandom, dry wit or jocular provocation? Whatever the motivation, it’s an impressive set musically where applause grows with every number. They’ve certainly made new friends tonight; definitely a band worth checking out.

From Norway to Greece, 1000 Mods bring more pile driving riffs. They’re well received and there’s no doubting their musical credentials but I’m probably among a small minority who fail to fully appreciate their talents. For 30 minutes their set of pummelling hard rock /metal hits like a juggernaut but somehow lacks charisma. Then a crowd issue brings everything to an abrupt, grinding halt. Resuming a few minutes later feels and sounds like watching a different band. El Rollito brings frenzied rock n’ roll with extra kick, while closing track, Vidage proves an epic tour de force. It’s music reaching a different level to earlier songs. A little post gig research reveals the final 2 tracks date to the band’s first album, Super Fan Vacation, from 2011. I can’t help but wonder, is this a band that began with wider musical aspirations but subsequently found a more simplistic, populist groove and stuck with it?

Clutch eschew big production values. There’s a band logo as backdrop and some decent lighting but that’s it. Tonight, like every Clutch show, is all about the performance, and as always they don’t disappoint. They’re also a band that don’t tour a setlist; every gig is different and part of their appeal is wondering what you’re going to get.

The band wander onstage to the dark, doom laden intro of Wasted Lands. As they segue into the heavy, blues infused opening of Nosferatu Madre, vocalist Neil Fallon joins them, arms outstretched, welcoming us to “Clutch world.” Drums and bass secure the beat before the pace quickens, guitar kicks in and Fallon begins prowl the stage menacingly. He’ll do so for the next 70 minutes.

In a set that seems to encompass their career, Fallon spits out vocals as Walking in the Great Shining Path of Monster Trucks takes us back to their first album. Slaughter Beach sustains the classic heavy rock feel replete with despair laden lyrics delivered over a swampy beat. Worm Drunk, which follows, changes the mood; stuttering funk propelling a song brimming with social disillusion.

The heart of tonight’s gig brings a quartet of tracks from Clutch’s eponymous 1995 album. Big News 1 & 2 slows things down and sees a return of rumbling bass and monster riffs while Neil Fallon’s part spoken vocals bring a sense of underlying tension. Escape from the Prison Planet hits next and the riffs just keep coming. The opening bars of Spacegrass are greeted as something special and so it proves. Ominous opening, more part spoken interstellar lyrics, psychedelic interludes, this ode to drug infused drag racing takes tonight’s gig to another level.

Neil Fallon commands the stage throughout, prowling like a man possessed. At times tonight his appearance and demeanour are reminiscent of some latter day hellfire preacher. Behind him the band lay down the beat, making it all possible with intuitive precision. An almost unseen force, they lurk in the shadows, artisans and masters of their craft. Guitarist Tim Sult barely lifts his head from his fretboard, totally focused upon the sublime sounds emanating through his fingertips.

Firebirds takes us from rock to metal. Energy levels rise, the crowd respond, hands in the air and clapping in unison as the song brings metal backed by an infectious chorus. The Streets are His maintains metal momentum before The Regulator slows everything down with a dose of blues and some great wha wha imbued guitar. The delivery brings a real sense of gravitas, a respite from the heavy riffing, and for your reviewer, a show high point. Inevitably though, it’s the calm before a storm.

Burning Beard proves the classic closer as the crowd respond and band and audience career toward a shared communal climax. Of course they soon return for an encore. Electric Worry takes us back to the blues before morphing into timeless boogie as heads shake, surfers ride above, and hands clap in unison once more. In time honoured tradition there are inevitable false finishes before slide guitar kicks in to reprise it all again . . . and again!

But they’re not quite done yet. . It seems fitting that final number tonight, Fortunate Son, pays homage to their no frills American forebears, Creedence Clearwater Revival. It’s a great way to finish.

Over 30 years Clutch have become a timeless American rock band. Shifting genres, eschewing gimmicks and big production, but live, a band that never fail to deliver. Tonight has been no different. For rock fans Christmas has come early to Manchester Academy.