TWIN ATLANTIC go big at the O2 Forum Kentish Town.

The band has just finished the first part of their massive 13-date UK tour supporting their fourth studio album, GLA.

It is a Wednesday night when Scottish four-piece makes a stop at one of the most beloved venues in Camden, The Forum. A feeling of something special floats in the air as I enter the room and see a bunch of people squeezed in the front holding a giant “Team Twin Atlantic” flag.

As soon as supporting acts disappear from the stage one can surely sense the excitement and restlessness among the buzzing crowd. Screams arise when the red light floods the room and Glasgow rockers kick off with crushing guitars of the song Gold Elephant: Cherry Alligator. A massive opener to their new album as well as tonight’s setlist.

Four albums make a vast choice of repertoire of course, but Twin Atlantic perfectly balance their latest offerings and old fan favourites. However, new material certainly makes them sound louder, if that’s even possible. The following tracks, thrilling You Are The Devil and recent mad single The Chaser, are all about bold statements which, thanks to intensifying drums and hard-hitting riffs, easily reach everyone in the audience.

The energy becomes very contagious when the band moves on to play tunes from their 2011’s sophomore album, Free. Songs such as Edit Me, Make A Beast Of Myself and Yes, I Was Drunk receive massive cheers and impressive singalongs whilst new tracks Missing Link, Mothertongue and Ex El expose a somewhat honest and sensitive but fierce side of the band.

Sets of flickering lights and dancing lasers vary according to the songs what makes a stirring visual accompaniment to the set. As much as the Scottish outfit engages more with the crowd in smaller spaces, tonight’s stage arrangement undoubtedly adds a dose of pomp and grandeur to the whole live experience.

Especially, when it’s time for an acoustic performance of the song Crash Land, which probably is a stand-out moment of every Twin Atlantic‘s show. With the notes scatter throughout the room Sam McTrusty smoothly leads hundreds of voices making sure the last chorus echo for a longer while. This particular moment of the night certainly falls deep in everyone’s memory.

Those guys know exactly what they are doing. Having been in a band for almost a decade has certainly taught them how to allure audiences. McTrusty again presents confidence and tenacity on stage acting like he owns it. His raw but firm vocals tower over the crowd after he dedicates the track Hold On to old fans who have been supporting them since the very start, but doesn’t forget to give a shout-out to all newcomers respectively.

As we head towards the end of the set the audience bursts into loud singalongs when Twin Atlantic spin tunes from their 2014’s Great Divide. Lyrics Open up your heart and your soul / Cause if you’re just looking for love / You’ve gotta let me know loudly transform into riveting track Brothers And Sisters and I’m pretty sure every soul in the room has a feeling of being a part of this big happy family. Because every time I see those guys on stage it definitely feels a lot like home.

Finishing off with McTrusty‘s successful attempt of stage diving during the track No Sleep, off of the album GLA, the band makes a point and somehow insists that We’re not gonna sleep no more. Well, at least not this night.

And just when I exit the venue I happen to follow, presumably, a dad with his teenage son proudly wearing Twin Atlantic‘s hoodie. Suddenly I hear him asking (with a Scottish accent of course) the boy: “Those Twin Atlantic guys they were good, weren’t they?”.

Clearly, I wouldn’t dare to argue with him.

Photos: Kasia Osowiecka