Known for being one of the most sonically destructive forces in Metal, Napalm Death are among the fiercest of the elite. Originators of Grind, their melting pot of Punk sensibility, relentless Power Violence and political outrage have been components that even the finest acts will never truly echo to the magnitude of Napalm Death. Despite it being two years since their eighteenth studio release Apex Predator – Easy Meat, its only now that we are seeing the Birmingham bunch dominate on their own headline tour. With the work ethic of the most tenacious of work horses, pushing fifty, the band are admirable for their commitment to their fans, none more so than Shane Embury, a man who is not only doing one, not two but three performances every night on the bill! Hard to know when to go for a break with a bill as stacked is this the Electric Ballroom was in for more than just a treat.
AFI Make Their London Live Resurgence
It was never going to be an easy gig for A Fire Inside (“AFI”) as they performed tonight in London to a mostly sold-out Deftones show at Alexandra Palace in North London. The Californian alternative rockers were playing their first show in London since 2010’s Crash Love Tour in support of their January 2017 self-titled release (also known as the ‘Blood’ album).
Temperance, Evyltyde & Metaprism Unleash The Female-Fronted Fury
Some of Europe’s lesser known bands descend upon the North London urban jungle to define what the next generation of female-fronted metal has to offer, and it’s pretty damn good.
The Devil In The Underworld : Zeal & Ardor’s Victorious Performance
The Underworld. For the London Metalhead, there’s no doubt you’ll have frequented it’s halls. A beacon of opportunity to the young bands and a special treat for fans for some of the biggest artists in the game. Throughout its illustrious history the venue has seen all manner of music, though I doubt that it’s ever had African Slave Music meets Black Metal come through its halls. Intrigued? You should be.
Good Friday And Immolation – A Recipe For Atonement
Staying power is one of the few attributes that are put forward in the arena of Death Metal. Hardly the most accessible of sub genres, however when you do get into bed with the genre it’s hard to get out. Belligerently sticking around amid the nineties grunge movement, Death Metal is the exact embodiment of the extreme. Understanding this pushing of boundaries both in extremity and in a quest for the experimental, Immolation are one of the genres bleak beacons. Combining their dissonant arrangements where drums, bass and guitar seem to disagree until somehow coming to a resolute understanding. Having been a year since their last visit, Immolation make a special appearance this Good Friday at London’s Underworld.
Dragonforce Played A Little Pub Gig in London
It’s not so often when bands that have such a substantial international following make time to play the intimate shows of the early days, but Dragonforce always seem to make time at least once every album. With a new album peering over the horizon, the power metallers organised a wee show for the die-hards at Camden’s The Black Heart.
In The Passing Light Of A Wednesday – Pain Of Salvation’s London Triumph
Realisation can be an incredibly powerful tool. Often seen as a double edged sword, the understanding can be incredibly positive yet also detrimental. The fragility of life itself is often something humans forget, with work goals and all sorts of small picture ideals clouding our judgement to what truly matters. Thinking it was nothing, Pain of Salvation‘s Daniel Gildenlöw was brought to the hospital to be told he had contracted a flesh eating virus. In an instant, current ideas began to pale into comparison when faced with his own mortality. Triumphing over adversity Gildenlöw bested the virus. Pooling his creative energies into the long standing Pain of Salvation, the band have delivered one of the most honest and truly heartfelt records in recent years. Bringing their In The Passing Light Of Day tour to London, the band begin their triumphant new chapter at Islington’s Assembly Halls.
Bringing War and Wreaking Havok at The Underworld
War in the modern world is an ever changing entity. Though it’s sentiment remains the same, it’s means change with the times. With this in mind, Thrash Metal and all of it’s totalitarian prophecies has never been more pertinent. Leaders of the new movement of Modern Thrash the charge is led by Havok, whilst biting at their heels is Warbringer. Embarking on an extensive European tour together the two Teutonic bands bring with them support in the form of Exmortus, the Death Metal come Thrash Metal virtuosos and French Gorod.