EXIT TEN, Fei Comodo @Birmingham Institute Temple 14/11/2011

A freezing cold Monday night in a rather rough part of Birmingham doesn’t sound the most enticing gig in the world. Especially not when only around 100 punters have decided to leave their living rooms and attend.

But that is the situation that Essex metalcore merchants Fei Comodo find themselves in when they hit the stage. And how they try; you certainly can’t fault their effort and commitment. The trouble is, call it post-hardcore, call it metalcore, call it what you like, whatever it is you have heard it all before.

There is nothing wrong with them, but you can’t help felling that there are plenty of other bands out there that do this stuff just a little bit better at this stage in their fledgling career. Set closer “No Way Out” is a catchy attempt at rabble-rousing, but the jury is out as to whether they can find their own niche in a rather crowded genre.

Exit Ten have always had rather loftier ambitions than being part of a restrictive scene. In their minds their sound is designed to fill way bigger venues than this. They rock, they prog, they display an almost pop sensibility in places. The title of their new album “Give Me Infinity” tells you all you need to know about where they want to be.

It has also showcased a massive leap in delivery. This is aptly demonstrated by opening two numbers from “Life” and “Curtain Call,” both have big choruses and enough riffs to last most young bands an entire album and are almost casually tossed out with an air of confidence that only a group who truly believes in its new material can muster.

This is by far Exit Ten’s biggest headline tour. Taking in most of the small venues in the UK and lasting nearly the whole of November and singer Ryan Redman seems determined to make it count, attacking the songs with real conviction.

Debut LP “Remember The Day” isn’t ignored either and the likes of “Technically Alive” and “Resume Ignore” sit comfortably shoulder to shoulder with the new stuff.

“….Infinity’s” end track “Lion” also rounds things off here – a big ballad, which although a fine song, probably isn’t the best choice of set closer, but this is a band to keep an eye on.

Whether they get to infinity and beyond remains to be seen, but you can bet that Exit Ten are going to give it a really good go.