More of a finely aged Cabernet Sauvignon than the passion fruit drink of a similar name, yet passion is something the Awesome Rubikon has in abundance.
With mighty leaps and a gentle guitar bump (the strings twanging wildly), an explosion of energy fills the stage at the O2 Islington. Rubikon, the self-proclaimed ‘robust charcuterie plate’ and ‘musical meat-grinder,’ emerges, exuding an aura of confidence and passion.
The lights dim, the stage is ignited in a blaze of colour, and without hesitation, they launch into their promise to deliver a sonic feast like no other.
Their opening number, “The Gun,” sets the tone for a night of musical exploration and barrel-aged balance and body. With their trademark fervour and intensity, heavy riffs combine with echoed, repetitive vocals, exciting the appreciative and capacious crowd. The O2 is already full to the brim, and the fans are eager and prepared to be enthralled by this particular cuvée.
Each member of Rubikon brings their own unique energy to the performance, engaging with the now crushed in crowd and feeding off their enthusiasm"
Not content with being merely full-bodied, Rubikon’s sound is a kaleidoscopic swirl of influences, blending elements of classic rock, metal, and progressive rhythms into a cohesive and captivating whole. As they segue into “Live That Lie,” we see black-painted fingernails dancing across fretboards with lightning speed, and Josh Gruss delivers a blistering solo of such virtuosity that it actually brings some of us at 1st 3 Magazine to tears.
Rubikon's lyrics are imbued with introspection and emotion, offering glimpses into the human experience amidst the swirling chaos of sound"
Gently wiping away that emotion-filled dewdrop of joy, we witness the band punching, stamping, and energetically bouncing off each other, excited to share with the audience that this is their first time in the UK. ‘I like the way you make me feel,’ lead singer Jae Sims sings, and the feeling is mutual. Jae commands the stage with a powerful voice, effortlessly transitioning from soaring melodies to guttural screams. As we swirl this sonic quaff around the palate, do we dare say we pick up a woody back note of Jim Morrison. Indeed, Rubikon’s lyrics are imbued with introspection and emotion, offering glimpses into the human experience amidst the swirling chaos of sound.
“Chickfight” starts with a heavy, driving beat in free time before the classic rock triplet beat takes over, and a more melodic and harmonic, anthemic style showcases the band’s technical prowess and compositional depth. This is an opulent, open offering with a sensuous texture that is rich, bold, and smooth. The effect is like a cork being slowly twisted from its bottleneck – a mechanism being gradually wound up – and the audience’s anticipation builds to an ecstatic frenzy. Each member of Rubikon brings their own unique energy to the performance, engaging with the now crushed in crowd and feeding off their enthusiasm.
Rubikon has delivered a robust, smooth yet a steely performance that transcended the boundaries of genre"
Jae takes a beautiful moment to record a quick message for his mum (suffering from Alzheimer’s) back home before continuing with the explosion of sound, a smoke machine billowing, the crowd swaying hypnotically, and everyone loving every delicious sip of Rubikon.
As the final notes of “Lose it All” reverberate through the O2, the audience erupts into thunderous applause, faces alight with awe and admiration. Rubikon has delivered a robust, smooth yet a steely performance that transcended the boundaries of genre, leaving an indelible mark on all of us lucky enough to be there, and an undeniable, overwhelming primal urge. Vintage they may be – and vintage is famous for being made from an outstanding yield. Strong of jawline, flexible of joints, and full of joie de vivre, tonight Rubikon gave us a freshness on the palate to accompany that well-loved charcuterie and cheese perfection. Cin cin, Rubikon!
Rubikon played the O2 Academy, Islington on 2nd February 2024
