Arnocorps @ Scruffy Murphy’s, Birmingham – 13th July 2008
Love, devotion, a bit more love, a bit more devotion and a faint whiff of homoeroticism — If you don’t know it already Arnocorps fans love their masters, each other and themselves. On Sunday night in a compacted bowel of a room at Scruffy Murphy’s Arnocorps finished off their UK tour with a complete unashamed ‘LOVE IN’ that for this reviewer seemed to be the last word in male bonding. With most devotees sporting camouflage make-up and helmets I was half expecting a ‘Flags of our Fathers’ moment, which thankfully didn’t materialise (the only flagpoles being the ones concealed under baggy jeans.)
This obvious devotion though is in no way groundless and it was repaid in a great set headed up by lead vocalist Holzfeuer. It is through his onstage (and offstage) persona that the heart of Arnocorps thumps loudest. Stage diving, crowd surfing on a guitar case, and a rather under par drum solo are just side orders to what is fundamentally this man’s show.
I’m actually being rather harsh because Arnocorps are ‘almost’ the real deal. For the most part they are a tight unit with a clear purpose that energises, enthrals, but most of all entertains. I can’t help but feel that there should be something more to this faux Austrian/American chimera. Although they produced crowd pleasing number after number (Commando, Terminator and the brilliant Total Recall) they will be forever haunted by the gimmick that powers and strangles what potentially is a great, great band.
All this is however immaterial because as I said they are loved, they entertained and in no way did I get a Raw Deal — Sorry!
Review – GF
Photos – Tom Horton