GIG REVIEW: Deteriorot @ New Cross Inn (London, UK)

90s Death Metal legends DETERIOROT storm the capital as part of a hideously heavy billing alongside ASCENDED DEAD and local new bloods VACUOUS.

London’s own Vacuous set things in motion tonight. Their atmospheric, claustrophobic and otherworldly brand of macabre music being a glorious first offering upon the altars of madness. With a visceral and eerie blend of pulverising dynamics, these guys never let down live or on the record. In fact, I would say Vacuous are one of England’s strongest Extreme Metal bands of recent years. Their anguishing and yet undeniably intense execution is uniquely foreboding to behold both on wax and stage alike. The way they hold their own alongside legendary billings surely speaks for itself, but if you have your doubts, check them out and be slain by their dysphoric mayhem.

Sat in the middle of this crushing billing is one of the finest current Death Metal bands on the planet; Ascended Dead. Their bestially old school incantation dive-bomb directly into a scornful set of pure malignant evil. Firing on all cylinders, the unfaltering drum assaults and mean guitars savagely dominate all in attendance as the reverberate vocal delivery spews spellbinding ferocity atop the mountainous instrumentals. Each moments of their set is a visceral, daunting and yet also atmospheric explosion which harkens back to the likes of Possessed, Sadistic Intent and Necrovore but with a refreshed and unstoppable aggression of their own, injecting a sepulchral stench into the air with forceful and majestic Death Metal might. Playing a blend of their material including some ruthless pieces from their new album (which I find to be their strongest to date, as excellent as they have all been), this set was a frenzy of studs, leather and morbid death done properly. Ascended Dead bestowed violence upon London that shall not be easily forgotten.

Deteriorot are one of those names in the scene that to true underground Death Metal maniacs will be legendary. Opening with “The Afterlife” from their legendary 1993 7-inch, the cult crushing of old school brutality immediately falls into place. As a band who have made an amazing comeback, the new material was just as welcome as the classics, with all songs delivering festering putrescence. HM-2 guitars chainsawed their way through barbaric drumming with the roaring vocals and low end carrying plenty of punishing weight. As founding frontman Paul leads his new lineup, this victorious band show their experience and prowess at delivering devastation for their whole show which has bangers across the floor left in awe of the cult classic act that is Deteriorot. The sound was absolutely perfect to deliver this raunchy and putrid assault on the senses and their mesmerising yet menacing set was one to remember as a rare but exceptional performance from this American legend. It was an honour to witness them perform with such strength.

A monumental evening of the finest Death Metal, with each section of this diabolical trinity conquering from start to finish with sheer vitriol. This was one of those nights of true old school mayhem that showcases gloriously that the real underground will always be a live, well and unstoppable.