Dark Funeral // Fleshgod Apocalypse // Ex Deo // Kami No Ikari // Live Review // The O2 Academy // London
It has been eight years since the legendary kings of Swedish black metal Dark Funeral graced us with a full European tour! And now, as we just crack open 2025, they have created one of the most epic tour packages! Joining them on the tour are Fleshgod Apocalypse, Ex Deo, and Kami No Ikari.
Now it might be a very early doors, 5.30pm on a weekday but the room is packed when openers Kami No Ikari.
take the stage. Now they might be the black sheep of the tour bringing a more metalcore sound to the lineup but what they bring in energy & enthusiasm shines through.
Hailing from France these guys bring together melodic metalcore with big breakdown sections & huge orchestral backing tracks. Frontman Yumi Kami has so much spirit & really draws the crowd in. Using their love for Japanese culture gives the band a great cohesive & overall vibe. Feeling like a modern Winds Of Plague these guys keep it fun & a very light heart which sticks out on such a grim tour package but it’s a welcomed treat in my eyes!
Next up are the Roman warrior’s Ex Deo, the side project of Maurizio Iacono & other members of Kataklysm. Bringing us a great big slab of epic symphonic death metal. Opening their set with the triumph of “Imperator”. Really building the power in the room, this track has a real stompy feel. Drummer James Payne hits hard & keeps a great nice back beat for the band. Now sometimes backing tracks & symphonic elements can either get buried in a live mix or overshadow a band but luckily Ex Deo’s sound engineer has the mix perfect! The set was fantastic & raised the bar for the night.
Currently promoting their newest album “Opera” the italian symphonic technical death metal goliaths Fleshgod Apocalypse take the stage with the opening track from the album. Soprano vocalist Veronica Bordacchini & keyboardist Francesco Ferrini fill the venue with a stunning & jaw dropping begging to the bands set before the complete band take the stage for “I Can Never Die”.
“The Fool” gets the first mosh pit of the night moving. This fury of technical guitar & heavy strings make this track a brutal affair. Vocalist & Bassist Francesco Paoli keeps the crowd engaged & has a great presence. The band’s whole stage aesthetics are pretty much unmatched & witnessing it for the first time was a true delight.
Now it’s time for the undisputed kings of stockholm black metal Dark Funeral to show us how it’s really down. As the stage is set & the lights dim, the chanting of “SATAN!” from the crowd begins. The band slowly take the stage & flashes of single spotlights hit each member the anticipation builds until they unleash into “Nosferatu”.
Tonight the band is in full force. Longest standing member Lord Ahriman is still shredding & as powerful as ever. As Well as frontman Heljarmadr’s vocals are spot on & his screams fill every inch of the room with their haunting feel. “As One We Shall Conquer” one of my favourite DF tracks is nice & early in the site. This track is a true powerhouse of their signature black metal!
To celebrate the bands anniversary of their first release the band plays the whole EP back to back. “Open the Gates” & “In the Sign of the Horns” haven’t been played for a while. Getting to hear these early songs & how raw they are is such a delight.
Closing out with “Where Shadows Forever Reign” which is a true gem of a track, tonight’s show has been something magical. Dark Funeral have always been a band in their own lane, untouchable within the underground. And tonight have proven that there are no chinks in their armour & are truly the kings of swedish black metal!!
Review: Joseph Mitchell
Photography: Artur Tarczewski
