Messed!Up
A year after it was originally scheduled, New Model Army’s gig took place at long last at Aladin. Founded in 1977 in the Hemelingen district of Bremen, Aladin is considered one of the best-known event venues in the region and is an integral part of Bremen’s cultural life and music scene
Support act PREYRS opened the event. They’re a striking new presence on the alternative rock and metal scene, fronted by Belfast vocalist Amy Montgomery and drummer/producer Michael Mormecha. Combining the raw power of alternative rock with metal, their sound delivers a powerful blend that is a juxtaposition of aggression and the ethereal, chaos, and precision.
Their newly released album features a cathartic arc of resilience and change; lead single “Wave of Wisdom” foregrounds their gothic-tinged style where fury and healing meet.
Renowned for intense live shows, PREYRS made their UK festival debut at Bloodstock Open Air in August, and appeared at Stendhal Festival in Ireland, before supporting New Model Army on their current European tour.
Amy Montgomery has previously been nominated for ‘Best Live Act’ and ‘Best Artist’ at the Northern Ireland Music Prize. She has a spontaneous, high energy stage presence which kept the audience guessing about what was coming next.
For listeners drawn to cathartic and uncompromising alternative rock and metal, PREYRS delivers.
The long-since sold-out New Model Army set, which had been eagerly awaited, opened with a surge of energy that never let up: from the first chord, the audience was enthralled, hanging on every riff and lyric. Eyes fixed and bodies swaying as the band transitioned seamlessly through a career-spanning set of 21 songs, drawing strongly from their back catalogue, weaving classic anthems with newer tracks. Justin Sullivans energy and eagerness were still very much evident throughout, more than 40 years after the release of the band’s debut album.
Musically, the performance was as tight and confident as ever. Older songs, such as Notice Me (1983) and 51st State (1986) retain their original power. The lyrics remain strikingly relevant, with themes of social justice, political dissent, and personal resilience. They landed just as sharply tonight, as when they were first written. While newer arrangements, such as First Summer After (2023) and Do You Really Want to Go There (2024), brought fresh texture and perspective
The lyrics about social disparities and conflicts of a military, social, or political nature will come as no surprise to fans, because, as Justin himself said, the sources are always there.
The lyrics are perfectly complemented by the melody, which serves to make the message that much more relevant and poignant. This impression remained with me while listening to the wonderfully curated set list, and this feeling has always been consistently present every time New Model Army have played in Bremen.
The crowd matched the band’s intensity and included a mix of both longtime followers and fresh converts. Moments of sing-alongs, spontaneous applause between songs, and full-throated responses to political lines made it abundantly clear that the audience felt a personal connection to the material. The sold-out room made those moments feel communal and alive.
This was more than nostalgia — it was evidence of the band’s enduring relevance — musically vibrant and politically resonant — delivered to a grateful, captivated audience that spanned generations.
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Written by: Suzanne Durham
Photographer: Guido Rangnitt
