Million Dead - West End Centre, Aldershot, 31/7/2004
by Philip Vincent
published: 20 / 7 / 2004

intro
Million Dead have added new life to the rapidly fading hard core/femo formula pupularised by the likes of Funeral for a Friend and Finch. Philip Vincent finds himself in the mosh at the Aldershot West End Centre for the first time in half a decade
Well what can I say ? This was the first gig in probably half a decade in which I ended up in the mosh pit and much fun it was too, if a little hot! I had already stood through a pretty dire Emo by numbers band and was truly hoping that Million Dead would rise above cliché and provide another twist to the rapidly fading post hard-core/Emo form popularised by the likes of Funeral for a Friend and Finch. To this end they did with a style which had a few Emo tinges , but they bought this up a notch or two, and never managed to sound contrived or overblown. They had a much more mature sound than some of their predecessors and were akin to a less bloated Hundred Reasons or Biffy Clyro with the odd time signatures replaced with strong melody. Strangely enough they also managed to combine S.O.A.D into this mix in what can only be described as a truly British way. All in all, this was excellent ! Frontman, Jake Robinson, was possibly the most personable rock singers I have seen on stage for a long while, totally engaging his audience and never once becoing arrogant. The kids that surrounded me loved what they were hearing. Nearly every fist was raised in the air punching the beat . The pure energy this band gave off was blinding, making my wait worth while and once again proving that Aldershot does indeed have a very strong rock heart being within its chest.
Picture Gallery:-


live reviews |
Lock 17, London, 17/4/2006 |
![]() |
Never afraid to show his influences, former Million Dead frontman Frank Turner incorporates both country/folk numbers and also acoustic anthemic rockers. Dan Cressey enjoys an energetic, but short set at London's Lock 17 |
Brickyard, Carlisle, 18/4/2004 |
reviews |
A Song to Ruin (2009) |
![]() |
Remastered double CD reissue of the debut album of hardcore band Million Dead, acclaimed punk-folk singer-songwriter Frank Turner's original band, which despite only being released in 2003 already seems dated |
most viewed articles
current edition
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - InterviewJack Frost - As Seen on TV
Nils Petter Molvaer - El Molino, Barcelona, 24/4/2025
John McKay - Interview
Editorial - July 2025
Robert Forster - Interview
When Rivers Meet - Waterfront, Norwich, 29/5/2025
Kruder and Dofmeister - Paral-lel 62, Barcelona, 27/4/2025
Skunk Anansie - Old Market, Brighton, 16/5/2025
Yardbirds - Des Plaines Theater, Des Plaines, 18/4/2025
previous editions
Boomtown Rats - Ten Songs That Made Me Love....Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EP
Oasis - Oasis, Earl's Court, London, 1995
Loop - Loop / Godflesh - Heaven, London, 4/6/2014
Super Furry Animals - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Brad Elvis - Interview
Not Forgotten Girl - Interview
Serge Gainsbourg - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Heaven 17 - Interview
Sound - Interview with Bi Marshall Part 1
most viewed reviews
current edition
Davey Woodward - Mumbo in the JumboVultures - Liz Kershaw Session 16.06.88
Billy Nomates - Metalhorse
HAIM - I Quit
Vinny Peculiar - Things Too Long Left Unsaid
Peter Doolan - I Am a Tree Rooted to the Spot and a Snake Moves Around Me,in a Circle
Pulp - More
Garbage - Let All That We Imagine Be The Light
Morcheeba - Escape The Chaos
Little Simz - Lotus
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart