Twin Atlantic

Twin Atlantic

Liquid Rooms, Edinburgh

IT doesn't require deductive prowess to deduce that the gigs on this mini-tour will be Twin Atlantic's last appearances in small venues for some time. Like the band they're often compared to, Biffy Clyro, the Glasgow quartet have navigated their way from rock beginnings to pop waters and next week's release of sophomore album, Great Divide, should continue that trend.

Surprisingly, there were only a smattering of tracks from the new record performed here, and perhaps that was just as well, because those they did play were mixed.

The opening I Am An Animal bounced along, and set closer Heart & Soul looks certain to hold that slot for some time, given that it's a suitably rumbling, full-throated rock-pop number, yet the new offerings were otherwise routine.

They seemed tediously locked into being fist-pumping anthems, with the monotone blandness of Brothers & Sisters.

Thankfully, Twin Atlantic are undeniably a far smoother proposition now than in their early days, and the gig possessed enough energy to satisfy.

The foursome are confident, polished performers with a suitably chunky sound, and their older tunes were snapped into with evident relish, with hoodie-clad singer Sam McTrusty conducting the hyperactive crowd.

A jaggy Lightspeed displayed Barry McKenna's guitar work, Apocalyptic Renegade was booming and the pummelling Ghost of Eddie sped by.

At times, sheer force was enough, as on the gigantic Free, while the encore's acoustic guitar and cello fuelled Crash Land was genuinely touching, and left McTrusty on the verge of welling up at the crowd reaction.

The group's flirtations with the mainstream will become a more permanent relationship shortly, but this served as an emotional acknowledgment of where Twin Atlantic have been, as well as what lies ahead.