The London Underworld Awaits Us All… well ok that might not be the real title of Niles‘s newest album, but with a sold-out show in Camden’s iconic venue. Tonight Nile will truly rule the Underworld.
Embarking on the current tour promoting their album Nile have gathered one hell of a tour package. Belgium’s Pestifer, Intrepid from Estonia & as main support Hideous Divinity.
Opening tonight’s show Pestifer brings a modern take on technical death metal. Mixing progressive elements with some classic staples like Morbid Angel & Nocturnus riffing these guys pack a punch. They might not have much room to move on a tight stage but they still bring a ton of energy. Interacting with the crowd & getting some horns thrown back at them.
Now if a band falls too far into the technical side for me it can be a bit lost but thankfully Pestifer still has catchy hooks & memorable moments that keep their set very engaging.
Next up Intrepid gives us a slab of old-school death metal. I was lucky enough to catch these guys last year supporting Monstrosity & they killed it. This time they have been able to even get a tiger & have such a huge sound.
Intrepid really have both sides of the coin, mixing both the HM2-soaked sound of the Swedish death metal sound with the Floridian USA style of bands like Death & Malevolent Creation. Huge chunky riffs with blistering double kicks & solo licks to melt your face off. These guys might be young but they are doing this modern take of ODSM justice. My eyes & ears were glued to them their whole set. If you’re looking for your new favourite band look no further.
Now for Italy’s Hideous Divinity. Brandishing their frantic brutal technical death metal these guys are furious live. Their new album “Unextinct” released in May is one of this year’s best in this style & showcasing some of that brutality tonight HD bring the destruction.
Frontman Enrico “H.” Di Lorenzo’s wretched screams, highs, lows & everything between gives the band that texture that sets them apart. The dynamic songwriting & live presence fill you with excitement but also Dredd from the unknowing chaos you are about to witness during their set.
Now for the kings of brutal death metal Nile! Whenever this mammoth band is in town you know you are going to be in for a treat. Smashing straight into “Sacrifice Unto Sebek” Nile really knows how to get the crowd excited & the pits started early. The current touring lineup already is tight & so precise. Zach Jeter on guitars/vocals, Dan Vadim Von on bass / vocals & as ever the legends that are Karl Sanders on guitar / vocals & George Kollias on drums.
It isn’t long before we get to hear a new track of the latest album “To Strike With Secret Fang” really hits & is even more brutal on the record. The splitting vocals between all three guitarists is such a great idea as it gives so many different tones & it really punched through during the set.
“Vile Nilotic Rites” keeps the atmosphere & energy high with its groovy riffing & Kollias hard hitting drumming. The chorus on this track always goes down so well live!
As we get deeper in the set the band gives us the first single from the new album. Might you say the viral song title “Chapter for Not Being Hung Upside Down on a Stake in the Underworld and Made to Eat Feces by the Four Apes” could be just that a fun title but the band wrote a banger of a track to to accompany it & hearing this live was a truly pleasure. Its breakneck speed is ridiculous & just watching Sander picking hand on this song almost melted my brain! A true legend.
Closing out with the classic “Black Seeds of Vengeance” the band are able to still keep furiosity & leave maybe one of the most brutal it last. As the band & audience sing the closing lyrics in all its epic glory this has truly been a benchmark show for the band & very might be their best London performance to date!
Review: Joseph Mitchell
