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Primordial, Hell and Winterfylleth at London Islington 02 Academy, Saturday 5th May 2012

By Gary Lukes

Photos by Antony Roberts

Winterfylleth may have to launch the blistering opening to “Mam Tor” in front of a half-empty hall, but by the time the song’s epic, woozy rhythms have come to a close any remaining pockets of space are rapidly filled by generous applause. Almost two years after the release of “The Mercian Sphere”, a regular presence on the live scene has built their reputation almost as much as their critically acclaimed LP.

Playing an atmospheric style more often associated with Eastern Europe, the Mancunians have recast the mesmeric, eddying riffing into their own mold of “English Heritage black metal”. It’s an embodiment perhaps best epitomised by “The Wayfarer Part I…”, from the imperial swell of the 

Inverloch/Indesinence/Necro Deathmort - London Camden Underworld - Thursday 19th April 2012

By Gary Lukes

Photos by Antony Roberts

Thursday’s aren’t the most metal of days, and tonight London sadly seems more interested in the latest episode of Watchdog than the resurrection of Australian doom legends Disembowelment. Thus, we are greeted into the murky belly of Camden’s Underworld by the sight of Necro Deathmort summoning their spacey, sinister electro-doom in front of a measly crowd of about twenty people. 

And it’s a shame, as AJ Cookson and Matthew Rozeik utilise the unusual guitar/laptop (and occasional bass) set-up to conjure an insidious sound that seethes under the sparse lighting; constantly shifting shape in the shadows and somehow emerging more malevolent than before. 

At times, they can recall Aphex Twin at their most deranged or Axis of Perdition at their most lucid, while the band’s sound as a whole seems to consist of a unique legion of influences that echo genre-freaks as varied as Lustmord, Blut aus Nord and Massive Attack. On tracks such as “Temple of Juno”, dark dubby beats mutate and melt into ethereal effects, off-kilter guitar-lines and menacing screams. 

Paradise Lost + Insomnium + Vreid

The Brook, Southampton, Tuesday 17^th April 

Words by Nicholas Holmes

Photos by Tess Donohoe www.tessdonohoe.com

Days after the anniversary of Titanic's demise, it is perhaps vaguely appropriate that one of the greatest gloomy bands in British music history land in Southampton, the city from which the doomed vessel sailed just over 100 years ago. However, Paradise Lost have proved to be far from a sinking ship as they approach their quarter century next year. The nearest they have come to steering off course has been the departure of three drummers. That particular role has been ably filled since 2009 by possibly the busiest sticksman in metal, Adrian Erlandsson, who also plays for Nemhain, Brujeria and Swedish legends At The Gates. Phew! On what is their

Jagermeister Tour 2012: Skindred, Therapy?, Black Spiders, and The Defiled

Brixton Academy, London, Friday 13^th April

Words by Nicholas Holmes

Photos by Tess Donohoe www.tessdonohoe.com

In August last year, purely coincidentally following a Morrissey gig, Brixton Academy was at the centre of the riots which caused mayhem across the city for several days. There really was panic on the streets of London. Fast forward several months, and Friday 13^th April proves lucky for thousands of fans keen on a more convivial type of chaos – the Jagermeister Tour featuring four of the best bands in modern British heavy music. Even better, the tickets cost just a fiver, and this show sold out ages ago.