by Mick Burgess, Metal Express Radio (20-Sept-2019
As Bon Scott once said “It`s a long way to the top if you want to Rock `n` Roll.” Wise words indeed. It can seem that way when the Rock`n` Roll highway stretches far into the distance at the start of what can be a very bumpy but potentially thrilling ride.
With a couple of singles under their belts and a debut album slated for release in a matter of weeks, Collateral are right at the start their journey and arrived for their very first pit stop in Newcastle.
With a flurry of rave reviews in the press there`s quite a buzz about Collateral at the moment so it came as no surprise that a fair few Geordies came out on a Wednesday night to see what all of the fuss was about.
Collateral have the image, with hair, lots of hair, ripped jeans and cowboy boots there`s no doubting that they have the image and that is hugely important in these very image conscious times but do they back that up with the music?
With seconds of Big Beginning it`s clear that there is something special in the offing and with Big Shot and Going With The Wind following hot on its heels built on strong melodies and huge hooks coming along like a modern-day Def Leppard meets Bon Jovi, Collateral soon have the crowd eating out of their hands.
Of course, it helps having a charismatic frontman in the shape of Angelo Tristan whose breathy but intensely Melodic vocals carry the songs to a different plane while guitarist Todd Winger provides the foil that every singer needs to inspire them.
With singles Midnight Queen and Lullaby closing out the show there was a distinct feeling that those in Trillians had witnessed a band on the brink of something very special. There is every chance that next time they play in Newcastle they will be headlining a much, much bigger venue.
Review and Photos By Mick Burgess