Cardinal Black – Komedia, Bath

Cardinal Black’s performance at the Komedia, Bath, was not only a testament to their skill but also a showcase of their connection with the audience. The band sang 13 songs in a 90-minute gig and delivered an evening of roaring, soulful, moving, and inspirational guitar driven alt-rock.

While they may only have made steady headway in terms of artistic output, the overall rise of the “oldest new band in the world” has been nothing short of meteoric. Building on the success of their debut EP, the Welsh contingent has continued to make impressive strides, selling out back-to-back academy tours in America and the UK.

The Welshmen’s first album “January Came Close” is an unequivocal labour of love, combining rock and soul-soaked blues to magnificent effect - introducing singer Tom Hollister and the award-winning Chris Buck as world-class talents.

A year after unveiling that album after many years of friendship and working together, the cogs of the machine finally aligned, as vocalist Tom Hollister, guitarist Chris Buck, drummer Adam Roberts, added keyboard player Gregg Hollister, bassist Sam Williams and singer Tay Cousins.

Coming onto a stage dimly lit and decorated with old radios and standard lamps, Cardinal Black made a low key start, with a couple of new, unreleased songs in ‘Ride Home’ and ‘Falling’, short by their standards and, in the case of the first, unusually with no guitar solo.

Then ‘Ain’t My Time’ and ‘Jump In’ when backing singer Tay Cousins comes to the fore, Chris Buck’s searing solos expand the allurement whilst Gregg Hollister’s keys embrace. On ‘Ain’t My Time’, Williams’ adept bass work plays a salient role in distributing a sense of warmth to each corner of the track. It featured the first of Chris’s great solos and backing singer Tay Cousins reinforced Tom’s vocals giving them a gospel feel.

A sense of liberty can also be assigned to their staggering playing style, which despite the band’s tight assemblance, means each member is free to express themselves. Frontman Hollister has an effortlessly bluesy tone, an almost soulful quality; bearded, bespectacled and flat capped, with a casual manner and witty banter.

Chris Buck is unassuming, calmness personified. He focuses on his guitar, playing the simple parts effortlessly, able to send chills down the spine with his lead breaks that flow organically. Roberts and Williams are a single unit, the backbone of the band and they rarely, if ever, skip a beat. Williams will later show his power with a blasting solo that brings the set to a raucous crescendo.

With each member bringing their A-game, Cardinal Black delivers a comprehensive sound, which simultaneously feels both minimal yet complete.

They grace us with another two new tracks in ‘Morning Light’ and ‘Holding My Breath’ and already I know the new album “Welcome to The Valencia” is a success. The former at eight minutes long was a typical Cardinal epic, switching tempo every time Chris struck a well-placed power chord and then back again.

The band falls beautifully into ‘Terra Firma’ with a Pink Floyd intro where Chris can weaponize his strings to hit like a stun gun. And then the endless magic of ‘Warm Love’ with that solo that you find yourself suddenly and involuntarily holding your breath to.

There are times during the set when Tom stops singing with words, Chris makes his guitar sing almost lyrically, his playing extraordinary and effortless.

Throughout the evening, the conversation between the band and the crowd makes this more than just a play through of tracks: Holister’s personal ballad dedicated to his daughter ‘Adeline’ and ‘Your Spark (Blows Me To Pieces)’ featuring two crisp, inventive solos from Chris which led to spontaneous applause.

The sweet solitude of “Warm Love” where keys man Gregg plays a supreme bit of piano, is a real sing along belter of a song that the crowd duly obliges, with harrowing ‘Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!’ gliding gently into Chris’s resplendent guitar work.

The main set ended with the raw powering blues of ‘Where Do You Go’ another sing-along as Tom encourages the fans’ participation, leaving everyone longing for a rousing encore.

When Hollister and company return to the stage, new song ‘Push/Pull’ is played before ending with album closer, the gorgeous slow-building blues track ‘Tied Up In Blue’ which included a breathtaking David Gilmour-esque guitar solo from Chris before Tay Cousins and Tom Hollister again showcased their spectacular vocals. Close your eyes and lose yourself in the enchantment that flows from the stage.

The old songs were beautiful, the new songs were impressive, and the world lies at the feet of Cardinal Black. Wonderful musicianship, and a bond that goes back decades. They are, quite simply, one of the finest bands around right now.