Flight 49 - That Smell Of Sweat And Sin

Flight 49

That Smell Of Sweat and Sin
self-released; 2014

3.5 out of 5

By Ethan Skelton

Flight 49 is putting Llandudno, North Wales on the map.  In September 2011, four guys and one girl joined forces in a common goal to save the airwaves from the stale market of cover bands and formula pawns. They sought a fresh and entertaining live show and weren’t about going easy on the rock sauce. The local scene, already dominated by long established bands playing cliché covers, stood back and watched as Flight 49 grabbed them by the face and demanded the masses to obey. If I was walking outside of a club and heard these guys playing I’d be in line in no time.

They have a thick sound that’s heavy when it needs to be and gentle when you least expect it. Their mission statement is simple: “Just have fun! Because if the band is having fun, then the audience is more likely to have fun too.” As a frequent club musician myself, I know this to be very true. It’s not a “fake it till you make it” type of thing, but a genuine understanding that you have to enjoy what you’re doing and more importantly show it. Stage presence is the key to making impressions. 

You can sound good all you want, but you have to move and engage to bring the crowd into the moments you feel. Flight 49 quickly developed a following and found themselves on the same bill as Manchester’s #1 Metallica cover band. During this time, they split their efforts between the stage and studio.  What came next was their aptly named album That Smell Of Sweat And Sin.

The band moves in constant driving motion with rock solid backbone on drums and bass guitar plus crushing and melodic guitar. The vocals are smooth and rough at the drop of dime. There’s an especially killer track called “Rage.” It has great range and power throughout. At times it’s Foo Fighters and at then the heaviness breaks like a lamp over your head and it’s Deftones circa 1998. I can see the crowds jumping against the barrier as we speak.

And what is likely the biggest surprise, but one of the best songs on the album, is a cover of the 1980 hit “9 to 5” which was the title track for the movie “9 to 5” that eventually led to a modern day musical. I wouldn’t expect this group to go in that direction as it seems more geared toward a vocal jazz or musical theater bunch. Nonetheless, they put their spin on it and it’s a damn good tune. One thing’s for sure, the fun doesn’t stop with Flight 49.

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