GIG REVIEW: Demilich @ The Underworld (London, UK)

Isengard Promotions and Sublime Terror Promotions bring us another night of Death Metal chaos in the English capital.

CONCRETE WINDS open the night, taking to the stage without introduction. The unfurling wings of ravenous Death Metal in its purist form storms the crowd with the Necrovore influences worn quite literally on their frontman’s sleeve. Thrashing, noisy and abrasive yet always moving in a serpentine way that ensnares the senses with auditory terror. Drumming at ridiculous pace and devastating guitar riffs thrown atop this, there was no breaking the musical foundation which was violated only by trepanning vocals. With two full-length records under their belt, the set consisted of tracks from both which should’ve pleased all as both albums rip. Altogether, so punishing to behold. Their time was visceral and menacing which is how a Death Metal show should be kicked off.

MITHRAS take us from the pits of primitivity into technical overload with their warped cosmic assaults (for the first time live since 2016). Unforgiving drum work and crazed guitars bend into alien territories with gnarly vocals to break the instrumental flow with barked harshness. Blending these gives Mithras a very unique live sound which serves as a healthy middle ground between opener and headliner. The skill of this band is unmistakable and thankfully they don’t falter with their live setup to play such complex records. Definitely a different vibe to the more primitive and old school delivery of the others, there is a more digital and futuristic approach to Mithras’ sound though one that is unmistakably intense and transcendental to witness.

Finnish Death Metal kings DEMILICH proud return to London after their crushing last time at Finnfest. Antti launches in with his comedic antics while they do not get in the way of just how damn tight these Finns perform. Obviously the set is a classic bunch from the singular album and demos, all played as well as one would expect from 30 years of practise. Demilich is one of those bands where you know what you will get, twisted old school destruction, no more and no less. What may not be so known is between his beer-fuelled ramblings that may give the impression of bumbling drunkenness, the near-perfect renditions of each track showcase a band whose leisure doesn’t heed their call to arms in taking us to the warped world of “Nespithe”. The mix was devastatingly heavy allowing all in the room the be putrefied by the truly unwieldy brutality of one of the most legendary Death Metal bands of all time. 

A triumphant trinity of the morbid and cosmic, delivering London’s underground the heaviest and weirdest of sounds that Death Metal has to offer. This was one of those shows that seemed to be over in a flash with everything running smooth and the bands playing transfixing sets that don’t leave you engrossed in their music.