IST IST have been on a journey. Building through records and rooms to reach The Ritz tonight on the day they release their third album proper, Protagonists. I say proper, as those early EPs are just as important in the bands making. Fitting them that Fan favourite ‘Emily’ is included on Protagonists and sits in beautifully alongside its offspring. It’s the new album opener ‘Stamp It Out’ which kicks things off like a fucking atom bomb. Andy’s bass is brutal and Joel’s drums must have the soundman shitting himself. I know that’s crass, but seriously it’s absolutely monumental. On record it sounds amazing, but nothing prepares you for it’s power played live. Everyone is still a bit shellshocked as they play ‘Jennifer’s Lips’, but we recover and although IST IST fans aren’t dancers, the floor bounces to ‘Fat Cats Drown in Milk’. I don’t know if it’s Adam’s voice or Andy’s bass but my trouser leg is vibrating. That’s not a euphemism. ‘All Downhill’ is grandiose. The new songs spreading their wings in new directions, with a sort of widescreen feel, whilst retaining that trusted bleakness. They are fucking loud. Louder than I’ve heard them before, even in smaller rooms. I see one lad grab his ears as ‘Discipline’ threatens to destroy them. That driving rhythm, those gorgeous synths, layered up with Adam’s furious guitar, not to mention voice which sounds spot on. Things get a bit more expansive and shoegazey for ‘Mary in the Black and White Room’ with some brief hands in the air moments. Mainly from the lad who’s decided it’s safe to let go of his ears for a minute. Until ‘A New Love Song’ literally makes the venue shake. Look out Mogwai, IST IST are gunning for that loudest band status. ‘It Stops Where It Starts’ is an absolute goth banger. It’s songs like this that could see them crack an even bigger audience that they’re clearly building towards. ‘Something Has To Give’ proves that the new songs are already adored as the limbs flail at the front and the lad with the light switches goes nuts. ‘Fools Paradise’ follows, Andy sounding lovely on backing vocals. Before cracking a huge smile as people bounce and the guitars unleash. They’re clearly loving the reception to the Protagonists material. Even Adam smiles. A little. ‘The Waves’ still reminds me of Simple Minds. Which might not be the most wanted reference, but I mean it in a good way, those descending 80s chords belting out and ‘Heads on Spikes’ shows how much they’ve come on live as it builds to that glorious swirling crescendo. It’s every bit the definition of epic. Andy thanks… everyone I think and they slide into ‘Black’. I’d forgotten how good this is and just how many great songs they have to hand. Mat getting praise from Adam as he noodles away specularly as it closes. Another new one, ‘Nothing More Nothing Less’ follows and a few do drift to the bar. Only because it’s getting bloody hot in here though and people are grabbing water. We get the customary breather. Then the opening chords of ‘Emily’ ushers in the encore like dawn breaking. Before they follow with one of my faves ‘Extreme Greed’. It’s Mat’s synths, they’re just sublime. The whole band let loose, but it feels like it really could work with an extended outro and keep going. Maybe I’m just being greedy. That’s saved for ‘Slowly We Escape’. It’s like the Cure on speed and is as wonderful as that sounds. It’s a much different set to what we’ve heard before, but this band are growing. Give the new album a listen, it’s brilliant, I’ve bought it twice!
