6th November
Mean Fiddler, London

Although the headlining act tonight are actually Strung Out, you could be mistaken for believing that The Start, former Human Waste Project singer Aimee Echo’s band, were on top of the bill. In queues to get in/ for the cloak room/ toilet (delete as appropriate), there’s a buzz for The Start’s first London gig.

Back in 1997 Human Waste Project’s future looked promising. Their Ross Robinson produced album ‘e-lux’, outings at festivals such as Ozzfest, and support with nu-metal wannabes Coal Chamber, had given them an almost a mini cult status. However it didn’t last too long, Human Waste Project split and eventually the remnants become Professional Murder Music and The Start, respectively.

While Aimee Echo’s former band mates stuck to the well-trodden nu-metal route, The Start have a mellowed out electro-pop metal sound to them.

Tonight, sporting a new Debbie Harry/ Cruella De Ville two-tone hair do, Aimee and her boys are on top form. The Start mix the best bits of eighties electro-synth pop, with enough pounding drums and rumbling guitars to keep most metal fans sufficiently happy. After play tracks from last years ‘Shakedown’ LP, the band debuting some new material.

Stand out tracks ‘Glimmer Man’ and ‘Nemesis’ provide an up-beat pop rock edge, while Aimee Echo dedicates new song ‘Death via Satellite’ to "George ‘Warmonger’ Bush". With Aimee Echo’s scarred and sultry vocals, it’s certainly a welcome return for one of the most distinctive voices in alternative music.

Caireen Escott (dripfed.co.uk)