Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

A runaway train hurtling along the track, its metal shell gleaming in the radiant sunlight and with the band members from Metallica flying above in a stolen helicopter but somehow managing to play their greatest hits as in homage to the train’s pursuit has more chance of developing a sluggish demeanour than you could ever slow down They’re Coming To Get You Barbara once they have warmed up. Not that the band need much time but it gives the train a deluded self- confidence that nothing can match that type of speeding Metal.

For They’re Coming To Get You Barbara to be opening up the night in a venue that has seen the cream of many of group and artist play within in its walls is quite an honour. Yet, this rather wonderful and musically outstanding band tore into the flesh of the evening and dined out on the memory of many a Heavy Metal band’s history.

For James and Mike Suffield and Matthew Biggs this was another rung on the ladder, the carefully carved notched signed and framed upon the bedpost of showing just what they have accomplished in such a short space of time. Studio 2 on Parr Street might not, at first thought, be the most natural of homes for the world of Metal, in any of its diverse genres, however within the space that has housed the likes of Marillion and Coldplay, the sound of Metal ruled all night and it was given the very best, the most exhilarating of starts by three men and a sound that just captivated the audience who had made their way down to Parr Street for the very early start.

They’re Coming To Get You Barbara played their set as the consummate professionals that they are, they dug deep in the vault of manic, overwhelming frenzy and at one point if Barbara had finally showed, she surely would have only had one choice left in life, and what a song she would have sung.

With the opener Filth Like You kicking off the evening with the type of ceremony you would expect from a Military Tattoo, TCTGYB proceeded to play songs such as The End, Ill Gotten Gains, the utterly superb Peasant and the Devil and the thunderous Shake The Earth Tonight. The final song of the evening had all the genetic make-up of a call out the faithful that for one they should take full advantage of being in a building that has been dominated by giants, to take their place amongst them. All the acts and the audience, a rather spectacular turn out for a night of Metal in Liverpool, heard the call and as the final note died away into the static filled ether, banners were metaphorically raised and battle lines drawn.

They’re Coming To Get You Barbara is a band in which life just grabs you, takes you on a short walk and reminds you of all that you loved about the genre from a previous era, splendid and intoxicating stuff.

Ian D. Hall