The UK's Most Dedicated Metal Blog
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.
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.
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.
They say that you make your mind up about a person within 10 seconds meeting them. Quickly made, judgement can often be wrong after the initial reaction. Putting their backs up against the wall, this year Suicide Silence released their polarising self titled record. Almost universally panned by fans, though personally I loved the record, it has been somewhat of a divide in the fan base. Wrapping up their first run of UK shows in London, Suicide Silence bare their newly sharpened, slightly adjusted teeth to the crowd tonight.
With terror being rife throughout the world, bands are increasing their reaction to the worlds current events. Ranging from all sorts of formats, one well rehearsed in the ways of battle are the German leaders st the vanguard of Thrash Kreator. Having returned after their five year material absence, the band have reasserted themselves firmly at the top of the second wave of Thrash Metal table. However it would seem that not only Kreator are born anew, as Brazilian counterparts Sepultura also unveiled their latest semi political statement Machine Messiah. Teaming up along with some help from both Soilwork and Aborted, the four band would match over Europe in a defiant conquering of venues far and wide. This time their march was headed toward Kentish Town’s Forum.
Changing scenery, tonight we forgo the smog of London for a trip to the Welsh countryside. Normally a hall for all sorts of occasions from ballet to recitals, tonight William Aston Hall has been modified for Rock ‘n’ Roll. Currently on their Heavy Fire tour, Black Star Riders shall be tonight’s curators. Cue the crowds coming out, slicked back (greying) hair, just a touch of booze and that true spirit of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
A coronation of sorts, representing an incredible milestone. Hard to believe that it has been thirty five years since the release of their now archetypal Among The Living, Anthrax are, particularly in 2017 a terrific force to be reckoned with. Commemorating this remarkable achievement our quintet deliver a performance that would be fit For All Kings. Riding off the immense success that their 2016 effort garnered, the Among The Kings tour features a game of two halves. Going the way of the Metallica’s of the world, the first set is a performance of tracks requested by fans featuring material spanning the groups career. Returning afterwards to perform their classic Among The Living in its entirety.
A magician never reveals his secrets. Similarly Meshuggah have once again temporarily exited their hibernation period to floor the entire globe with their latest release The Violent Sleep Of Reason and not only that but the world of live music as the quintuplet descend once more upon London’s Forum for a sold out show that most would take an entire lifetime just to be able to match.