Review: Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes crash into London’s Borderline

“I never knew how much I’d miss it until it was gone,” says Frank Carter. The feeling he’s referring to, as his most loyal supports look on from the dampest of mosh pits, is the intense euphoria he feels when fronting a hardcore band.

Still, his time with Gallows, and even his more recent work with Pure Love, feels very much in the past as he tears up London’s sweaty Borderline with The Rattlesnakes.

Whether he’s hanging from the rafters, balancing on bar stools or invariably toppled onto someone’s shoulders, the rebellious singer is fuelled by aggression and passion in equal measure.

“Welcome home Frank!” wail fans at various points throughout the set, to which the Watford musician acknowledges politely (albeit somewhat out of character) before continuing his tirade in the form of new album, Blossom.

Hours earlier the band found their debut record at #13 in the midweek album charts, which only adds fuel to tonight’s fire. “If you buy the record this week, Meghan Trainor will be out the top 20,” he says. “I don’t think I need to say anymore.” And he doesn’t, as the room erupts for songs they’ve only had half a week to learn.

Jaggernaut, Fangs (played twice, just because), Devil Inside Me and I Hate You are the unforgettable highs, while a slowed-down take on Loss leaves Frank at his most vulnerable in the centre of the crowd.

Despite, by his own admission, Frank’s habit of ruining a good thing once he’s got it going, the support he’s already receiving off the back of The Rattlesnakes suggests the fans won’t let him escape the success of this one.

Catch Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes at Reading and Leeds Festival 2015 next weekend (28 – 30 August) and more dates at Ticketmaster.co.uk.

See Tim Easton’s full photo gallery and watch our recent chat with Frank Carter below.