LIVE REVIEW: Abhorration @ New Cross Inn (London, UK)

Invictus Productions and Morbid Angle join forces to give us metal of death over the capital. Three bands whom each deliver their own distillation of evil; what could go wrong?

First up is Chaos Chant, featuring Alex previously from Inconcessus Lux Lucis (a band I greatly enjoy) with the promise of blackened heavy metal carnage. Mixing more contemporary black metal with old school heavy metal elements, this was an energetic opener to a dark evening. Debut LP coming via Invictus Productions so keep an eye and ear out for more…

Next we have London morbid metal masters Necromaniac, a band I am very familiar with both on record and in the live arena and one I know won’t disappoint. With their extremely strong debut LP under their belts, this material conjures real darkness live, something that is not easy in such a bright venue. Thankfully the concoctions of evil were fuelled by some impeccable drumming and unique riffs that call on the old gods like Törr, Tormentor and Master’s Hammer whilst the vocalist’s estranged incantations and invocations sat gloriously atop the instrumental splendour. Morbid metal to the death!

Finally Norwegian death metal savages Abhorration take the night by the throat. This band is exactly what death metal should be, on record and on stage; chaotic, violent and fuelled by only the most lethal musicianship. From the majestic riffing and barked vocals to the deathcrushing bass tone and massive drum onslaught; there is not a weak link in this band. Only four die-hard maniacs playing the oldest and truest form of death metal rooted in the late 80s but as potent now as ever. Mixing material from the “After Winter Comes War” demo and their debut LP “Demonolatry” – this set was a crushing spectacle of nuclear metal hell. Easily one of the strongest death metal bands to spat forth from the abyss in the last few years, one you would be a fool to miss. The grace of immolation blazed London in radiant hellfire tonight.

Once more London has been darkened by the underground metal elite with credit to Morbid Angle for putting on a lineup of such viciousness. Next up from them: Mortuary Drape / Adorior / Vacivus at The Underworld on the 11th of April…

For further reading, check out my Abhorration interview here and my Necromaniac interview here!