GIG REVIEW: Necropolis Vol. 1 @ New Cross Inn (London, UK)

A new festival emerges in the London underground, bringing fetid Death Metal to the worthy maniacs who sold this debut event out. Let’s rot!

VACUOUS open things with caustic, unforgiving and resplendently atmospheric Death Metal. Soaked in reverberate anguish, their chasmic yet groove-laden sound is a perfect start to events. After releasing one of the finest Death Metal records of last year, it was great to see these guys crush a packed venue, despite being so early in the day, the blazing heat and putrefying sweat exacerbated their scathing performance of hostile morbidity.

SEQUESTRUM turn up the grossness with grinding, puke-ridden sewer-scapes. Gargantuan and slimy riffs seep from the stage with a merciless setlist of ferocity. The vocal duties were shared between the entire band which created an interesting dynamic as the slimy tendrils of instrumental decay reached out into the sweaty venue. Their demo and EP both rule, so give these guys a listen and if you want to rot your corpse, attend a show.

COFFIN MULCH bring the punk-ridden, HM-2 charged, Autopsy-worshipping mayhem. Stage diving, furious pitting and a very intense performance of upbeat but no less brutal music really sets the room in motion. Hearing some of their visceral EP live and other material was fantastic plus a perfect way to set the appetite for their upcoming debut full length. Scotland seems to have so much magnificent underground Extreme Metal and Coffin Mulch definitely belong in that statement.

CHAOTIAN are definitely the most atmospheric band of the day. Despite only having three members, their sound is massive, cavernous and savage. Having built a reputation steadily over the last few years, this relatively young Danish band spew incantations of putridity with as much conviction and strength as their contemporaries in the scene. A really tight, cataclysmic set that brought a much needed sense of evilness into the sound space.

UNDERGANG are easily one of my favourite Death Metal bands around. Not only do their albums, EP’s, splits and demos all rule, but their live shows are total mayhem. This band may have a rancid sound but they perform so tightly as a unit and their pulverising instrumental grooves and gut-churning vocals really deliver the spoiled goods live. Bubonic, bouncing grooves and churning putrescent assaults blend into an hour of truly abhorrent Death Metal, the way it was intended. This feels like the perfect closing to a day of decay and who better to lead the charge into the catacombs than Undergang?

A triumphant first volume, and hopefully not the last, from Necropolis. London is indeed a graveyard…