Exit Ten @ Eddie's, Birmingham

Reviewed by Izaac Carlisle

Exit Ten are from Reading. That is as much as I knew as I trundled through the rainy streets of Birmingham to Eddie’s Rock Bar (think Trillians but without a lick of paint. Or paint for that matter). A friend had recommended them; however their choice of support bands didn’t really fit in with the headline act.

Just for those not that filled in about these things, Exit Ten are essentially a 5 piece progressive metal band; imagine metal rifts but mashed with a vague representation of the vocalist from Alexisonfire. They liked to occasionally add a little bit of ‘scream’. For this genre, it would be rude not too.

Anyway, their support decided to go one further with the Alexis comparison and essentially copy them. With the pretentiously sounding names ‘Dividing the Line’ and ‘Casino Brawl’, the latter call the North East home and receiving the customary Geordie slang shouted at them, both had an air of similarity. Both had five members, with the same instruments, both had a singer, both…well had somebody that doesn’t sing and both, well sounded the same. Which is unfortunate because they weren’t that bad, Casino Brawl especially had a few nice numbers. It’s just that you can’t help thinking in your head ‘we’ve seen this all before’. Which I had. About half an hour ago.

Anyway, Exit Ten came on to the squeal of their teenage fan club and to congratulate my friend for the band choice, sounded actually quite good. They were quite tight playing, but their singer (Ryan) after suggesting his voice was a little rough, sang well. Technically alive came across really well, and overall it was a good performance. The venue didn’t really help, feeling more like a pool hall than a venue but overall a strong performance that leaves me suggesting that you go out and purchase their album or at least Myspace them at: http://www.myspace.com/exitten