GIG REVIEW: Mystifier / Imperator @ The Underworld (London, UK)

Morbid Angle present another night of cult, evil Extreme Metal. Brazilian Black/Death masters MYSTIFIER shall grace the stage alongside Polish Death Metal originators IMPERATOR.

After swapping slots, it is time for Mystifier to grace us with their morbid magnificence. One of my favourite Black Metal bands of all time, one that I had sadly not seen until this point, but they did not disappoint. Unrelenting musicianship, eerie vocals and a mystical atmosphere that was truly enchanting. The Brazilian maniacs have a primal and yet still very sharp attack that hits with a mighty force as their unholy hymns take shape, filling the air with sepulchral songs and a truly rampant sense of the otherworldly. Betwixt their legendary catalogue they even payed tribute to fellow Brazilian masters Sarcofago in the form of a cover of “Nightmare” which sat majestically in their set of occult, ritualistic majesty. Not a second felt wasted as this purposeful entity of Satan’s legions held all in bewitchment from start to end.

Finally are the ferocious Imperator. A band who despite years of absence play with a tight and malicious accuracy that left all in attendance floored by the scorching savagery of this Polish legend. Between the firestorms of percussion, bludgeoning axe work and untamed vocals, this feral beast delivered a truly insane show that I am sure many thought they would never see. Relishing in the rabid attendees salivating stares, Poland’s Death Metal originators furiously unleashed a carnage like no other upon the decimated souls of London’s die-hard maniacs. Those attending bore witness to a tempest of the finest Death Metal and a historic moment as this was the bands first conquest on English soil, but hopefully not the last.

A truly unforgettable evening of morbid metallic mayhem featuring the best of the underground cult. Each band delivered their own brand of hellfire and turned The Underworld into its namesake, bringing us to abyssal ecstasy in this subterranean pit as the blazing temperatures outside were rivalled by those within (with a fire alarm kicking in for good measure at the end). This triumvirate of Extreme Metal showed no mercy, cleaving all with sadistic might.