A Special Time Creative

Our Hollow, Our Home – Boston Music Room

Our Hollow, Our Home end their UK tour at the Boston Music Room with an incredible show.

The Southampton based melodic metalcore band Our Hollow, Our Home formed in 2013 and currently consists of vocalist Connor Hallisey, clean vocalist and guitarist Tobias Young, drummer Nick Taliadoros, guitarist Josh White and bassist Bobby Brooks. Musically, the quintet shows elements of melodic metalcore, post-hardcore, melodic death metal and trash metal, having melodic choruses with clean vocals, heavy breakdowns and screamed verses. Until now the band released their debut EP ‘//Redefine’ in 2015 (self-released) which was followed by three full-length albums with the latest one being ‘In Moment // In Memory’ in 2018 via Hollow Music.

Our Hollow, Our Home

The Boston Music Room opened its doors around 7pm and filled up quite quickly with a mixed but rather younger audience. First band on the stage was the British progressive metalcore band The Uncharted. Arron (clean vocals), Pete (screamed vocals), Josh (guitar), Joe (guitar), Matt (bass), Aaron (synths) and Jack (drums) started off with high levels of energy and got the crowd moving in a circle pit right from the start.

The Uncharted

ThecityIsOurs, the second band of the evening, picked up the energy in the room and brought it to the next level. The crowd moved in mosh pits and screamed the lyrics back to the stage. The London based melodic hardcore quintet comprising Sam (vocals), Mikey (guitar), Stuart (guitar), Louis (drums) and Jay (bass) just released their latest single ‘Casket’ in 2018 (self-released) and were joined by both Pete (The Uncharted) and Connor (Our Hollow, Our Home) during their set.

TheCityIsOurs

Next up was the British metal band Lock & Key, comprising Rich (vocals), Ben (guitar), Danny (guitar), Elliot (bass) and Josh (drums). Their dynamic set created an energetic atmosphere and got the crowd hyped for the final band.

Lock & Key

With Our Hollow, Our Home entering the stage the crowd went mental and turned the space in front of the stage into one circle pit. Everyone screamed the lyrics at the top of their lungs and seemed to enjoy themselves. Mickey (TheCityIsOurs) and Pete (The Uncharted) each joined as guest vocalists during the set. The well mixed acoustic and the rather simple light show created a darker melancholic but dynamic atmosphere. As it was the last day of the tour, everyone seemed to give an extra 100 % and was highly motivated. The fans enjoyed themselves surfing the crowd and running around in circle pits which was highly appreciated by all four bands. Our Hollow, Our Home played a good mix of all their releases music as well as they played the very emotional ‘Parting Gift’ as one of their encores. All bands gathered together for one of the last songs to celebrate the end of the tour.

Our Hollow, Our Home

Overall, it was a great evening with both highly motivated bands and fans, good music and loads of energy. Everyone seemed to have enjoyed themselves and the bands highly appreciated the engagement of the crowd which made the end of the tour a special time.

Venue: Boston Music Room
Artist: Our Hollow, Our Home
Support: The Uncharted, TheCityIsOurs, Lock&key

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Shvpes – Boston Music Room

Shvpes headline the Boston music Room as part of their latest record ‘Greater Than’.

The Birmingham based metal band comprises vocalist Griffin Dickinson, both guitarists Ryan Hamilton and Youssef Ashraf, drummer Harry Jennings and bassist Grant Leo Knight. Formed in 2009, the quintet mixes elements of melodic hardcore, hip hop, metal, alternative rock and funk which creates a unique and dynamic sound. Griffin alternates between sun, screamed and spoken vocals, which are supported by heave but rhythmic guitars and energetic drum patterns. So far, they released two full-length albums being ‘Greater Than’ (2018, Spinefarm Records / Universal) and ‘Pain. Joy. Ecstasy. Despair’ (2016, Spinefarm Records).

Shvpes

The Boston Music Room opened its doors around 7pm to a mixed fanbase. First band on the stage was the London based alt-rock band Palmist being Alex Hills (guitar), Sam Peterson (vocals), Jack Hudson (bass), Adam Sutherland (guitar) and Connor Tate (drums) who just recently released their first EP ‘The Walls Between You & I’ (2019, self-released). Next band on the stage was the British metal band Death Blooms who came all the way from Liverpool. Vocalist Paul, guitarist Ad, bassist Giz and drummer Dani set the energy levels for the evening, just before the Nottingham based metal quintet The Five Hundred lifted the energy to the next level. Jonathan (vocals), Mark (guitar), Paul (guitar), Andy (bass) and Kelsley (drums) got the crowd moving and prepared for the final band of the evening.

The Five Hundred

Death Blooms

The Five Hundred

When Shvpes entered the stage, everyone went off their feet and jumped around or run in the big circle pit that formed right in the middle of the small venue. The band played a good mix of both of their albums and delivered a dynamic set right from the beginning. Opening with ‘Undertones’, the energy in the room was high and saw the crowd engaging in their performance while songs such as ‘State Of Mind’ and ‘Skin And Bones’ got the crowd singing the lyrics back to the stage on the top of their lungs. Not only the fans started crowd surfing but also Griffin himself joined the audience expanding the stage into the crowd. The acoustic was well mixed for a small venue and the light show was kept simple which suited the set well as it did not distract from the music.

Overall, it was a special time and a great evening with highly motivated bands and a great audience. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and seemed to have loads of fun. The bands highly appreciated the energy of the crowd who jumped along and screamed all the lyrics on the top of their lungs.

Venue: Boston Music Room
Artist: Shvpes
Support: Palmist, Death Blooms, The Five Hundred

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Parting Gift – Black Heart, Camden

Parting Gift were headlining Camden‘s Black Heart

The Manchester based emotive hardcore quintet comprising vocalist Zac, drummer George, guitarist Peter, bassist Nick and guitarist Jack, were formed in 2017 and recently signed to Fearless Records. So far, they self-released five singles being ‘Be Still’ (2017), ‘In Mind’ (2017), ‘Asleep’ (2017) and the joint singles ‘Vein’ and ‘Rensing’ (2018), as well as their most recent single ‘Pale’ (2019) via Hopeless Records. Musically, the quintet combines melancholic and melodic guitar and synth sounds with both clean and screamed vocals which creates a dark and haunting ambient feeling.

Parting Gift

Around 7 pm, the Black Heart opened its doors. With a capacity of up to 100 people, the venue offers a cosy atmosphere for the rather young but well mixed audience. First band on the stage was the Bristol based alternative rock trio Superlove, who was founded in 2018 and comprises Alex, Jacob and Jon. The trio got the crowd moving with their synth rock oriented sound and set the energy levels before the melancholic alternative rock band Coast To Coast from Birmingham, comprising Keiran, Alex, Josh and Zak, entered the stage. Third band of the evening was the instrumental post-rock band Cold bones, comprising Jordan, Nick and Max. The Kent based trio toned down the mood and atmosphere in the room while adding tension and energy. Their atmospheric and emotive acoustic tunes created a perfect ambient leading up to the last set of the evening.

Superlove

Coast To Coast

Coldbones

Parting Gift picked up the moody and cosy atmosphere Coldbones left behind and created an even darker and melancholic vibe. The crowd was highly motivated and screamed the lyrics back to the band. Everyone enjoyed themselves dancing along which was highly appreciated by the band who played all of their so far released songs. Especially some of the earlier songs such as ‘Asleep’ or ‘In Mind’ got the crowd moving. The lighting helped create the dark and almost hunted atmosphere which suited the music perfectly. Despite being quite a small venue, the acoustic was decent, and the vocals didn’t drown in the heavier drum or guitar sound.

Parting Gift

Overall, it was an amazing evening with highly talented and upcoming bands who themselves seemed to enjoy their time on stage and highly appreciated the energy of the crowd. The fans also enjoyed the music, sang along, jumped around and engaged in the bands’ performances. It was definitely a special time for everyone who joined.

Unfortunately, the quality of the pictures is quite bad due to the darkness, bad lighting, fog and the ability of my phone camera! Apologies for that!

Venue: The Black Heart
Artist: Parting Gift
Support: Superlove, Coast To Coast, Coldbones

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Architects – SSE Arena Wembley

Architects are headlining the Wembley Arena in London and didn’t fail to impress!

The Brighton based metalcore band Architects, formed in 2004 by the twins Dan (drums) and Tom (†2016, lead guitar) Searle, is back after releasing their latest record ‘Holy Hell’ (2018, Epitaph Records). After the unfortunate passing of lead guitarist Tom in 2016, the current lineup comprises vocalist Sam Carter, drummer Dan Searle, lead guitarist Josh Middelton, bassist Alex Dean and rhythm guitarist Adam Christianson. Musically, the band mixes ambient guitars and orchestral strings with mainly screamed vocals and heavily distorted rhythm guitars which creates a dark anthemic sound. They show influences from metalcore, technical metal, hardcore punk, post-hardcore and progressive metal core. The vocals alternate between tortured screams and melodic clean parts which creates an anthemic ambience. Lyrically, they cover different topics from political themes over personal experiences to critiques about religion and society. So far, they released eight full-length albums which all show various stylistic evolutions.

Architects

The doors of the 12.500 capacity venue, the SSE Arena Wembley which is London’s second largest indoor arena, opened around 6.30pm to let in the patiently waiting fans. Having been a band for thus many years, the audience appeared to be a mix of both older and younger fans. First band welcomed on the stage was the Australian melodic hardcore band Polaris who were founded in 2012, comprising Jamie Hails (vocals), both guitarists Rick Schneider and Ryan Siew, Jake Steinhauser (bass) and Daniel Furnari (drums). They set the energy levels high right from the start, getting circle pits and sing-alongs, leaving a hyped crowd before the second band starts their set. Beartooth was founded in 2012 and consists of vocalist Caleb Shomo, both guitarists Kamron Brabdury and Zach Huston, bassist Odhie Bichar and drummer Connor Denis. The American hardcore punk rockers picked up the energy in the room Polaris left behind and offered well mixed set of old and new songs, including a drum solo, to get the audience warmed up for Architects.

Polaris

Beartooth

With the first note starting off ‘Death Is Not Defeat’, they immediately caught the audience’s attention who screamed the words back to the stage. Continuing the intense atmosphere through created through the anthemic sounds of songs like Modern Misery, Holy Hell and Royal Beggars, they also mixed some of their older songs such as Gravedigger or Naysayer into the set, turning the arena into one big mosh pit. Powering through the set, Sam Carter and all the other band members still take their time to pay their respects to their friend and brother Tom who would be proud of them, to their families and friends, as well as to their fans who themselves start chanting Toms name on repeat. The special atmosphere in the room stayed throughout the entire set, supported by high levels of excitement and energy within the crowd which lasted until the last note of Doomsday, the final song of the set.

Architects

The light show and acoustic for all sets was spot on. Architects’ set was supported by an impressive pyro show including steam, fire and confetti, as well as an atmospheric lightshow that helped to create a magical atmosphere.

Overall, the concert was a special time, with great artists who delivered their fans an unforgettable evening. The crowd highly appreciated the energy and enthusiasm the bands showed on stage and let discharged their energy in circle pits, singing and dancing along which was highly appreciated by the bands.

Venue: SSE Arena Wembley
Artist: Architects
Support: Polaris, Beartooth

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Enter Shikari – o2 Academy Brixton

Enter Shikari came to headline the o2 Academy Brixton and delivered a great show.

The British alternative rock band Enter Shikari from Hertfordshire was formed in 1999 and currently comprises vocalist Roughton ‘Rou’ Reynolds, drummer Rob Rolfe, bassist Chris Batten and lead guitarist Liam ‘Rory’ Clewlow. So far, they released five studio albums being ‘Take To The Sky’ (2007, self-released), ‘Common Dreads’ (2009, Warner Music), ‘A Flash Flood Of Colour’ (2012, Ambush Reality), ‘The Mindsweep’ (2015, self-released / Play It Again Sam) and ‘The Spark’ (2017, self-released / Play It Again Sam). Musically, the quartet is considered to have pioneered electronicore and further shows influences of post-hardcore, electronic rock, metalcore, experimental rock and post-rock. They re-invented their sound and image with every album but keep their core of mixing hardcore punk elements including heavy breakdowns in contrast to anthemic choruses with various electronic music genres such as dubstep, trance or electronica. The alteration between screamed, rapped and sung vocals is accompanied by futuristic synth sounds and heavy guitars. Lyrically, Enter Shikari often write about political issues – being a part of the punk scene – but have also verbalised more personal topics such as anxiety, mental illness, loss or depression. They try to send the message of improving life through unity and love.

Enter Shikari

Around seven pm the sold-out venue, The o2 Academy Brixton, opened its doors. The queue reached all the way around the corner of the building, consisting of both, old and young fans. With a capacity of around 5000 people, the Brighton based alt-rock band Black Peaks opened the stage for a packed venue and kicked off the night with an energetic set just before the American fashion-art rock trio Palaye Royale from Nevada picked up the pace and got the crowd prepared for Enter Shikari.

Black Peaks

Palaye Royale

Starting off their set with ‘The Sights’ and ‘Step Up’, Enter Shikari played a good mix of songs from all of their albums including ‘Slipshod’ which they haven’t been playing in a while, or ‘Mothership’ before slowing it down with the piano driven ‘Airfield’ leading right into the quickfire round where they played some of their older songs such as ‘Sorry, You’re Not A Winner’, ‘…Meltdown’ and Anaesthetist’. The fans seemed to enjoy the diverse set and showed their enjoyment by dancing and jumping along. Especially during the quickfire round the pace and energy inside the venue got more intense and the crowd started raving in circle pits and crowd surfers made their way to the stage. Everyone belted the lyrics back to the band. The anthemic chorus of the last song of the set ‘Live Outside’ kept echoing back on repeat until the band left the stage seemingly impressed.

Not only the music performance of all three bands or Rou’s smooth dance moves and vocals were on point, but also the light show for all three sets was well thought through. While Black Peaks kept their set mellow and rather simplistic, which suited their music and helped to create the needed atmosphere, Palaye Royale had a more theatrical light show with their own stage lights. Enter Shikari had a futuristic looking set with a mix of colourfully wild and simplistic calm lights that created a suitable ambience for each song. The acoustic for all three bands was well balanced.

Overall, it was a great concert with an impressive show and a high level of energy. Both, the fans and all bands seemed to have a great time and enjoyed the evening. The audience highly appreciated the mix of older and newer songs, showing their appreciation by screaming the lyrics on the top of their lungs. The bands were impressed and thankful for the positive feedback and delivered a great performance, having a special time.

Venue: o2 Academy Brixton
Artist: Enter Shikari
Support: Black Peaks, Palaye Royale

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Never Say Die Tour 2018 – KOKO, Camden

KOKO Camden turned into a one-day festival being part of the Never Say Die Tour 2018!

Since 2008, the Never Say Die Tour, a European touring metalcore festival sponsored by Impericon, takes place in different countries around Europe each autumn. Featuring national and international acts from genres of the metalcore, deathcore and hardcore punk scenes, this year’s line-up included the Californian post-hardcore band Thousand Below, the American metal band Currents, the London based hardcore quintet Polar, the Welsh alternative outlet Casey, the German post-hardcore sextet Alazka, the Australian hardcore outlet Northlane, and the American ambient metalcore band Being As An Ocean.

Starting the tour in Wiesbaden (GER), one of the in total 21 shows was in London (UK). The venue, KOKO in Camden Town, is an old theatre that has been transformed into one of the premier live music venues in the city. Still having the theatrical look inside and out, the 1410 capacity venue provided a great atmosphere for the Never Say Die concerts. Opening the doors around 5pm, the venue slowly started filling up with a rather young audience.

First band of the evening was Thousand Below who tried their best to get the crowd started even though there were only a few people there yet. The mix of their heavy guitar sound, the screamed verses and melodic choruses creates a dynamic set demanding the crowd to get moving just before Currents enter the stage to bring in the heavy breakdown which led to constant circle pits in front of the sage. Even though there was growing engagement and increasing energy levels in the crowd, it needed the gritty sound and energetic performance of Polar, to get the evening started and the crowd fully moving.

Polar

Thousand Below

Currents

With each band the venue got more packed and the energy in the room increased. Casey, the fourth band on the stage took the tension and energy that was left after Polar left the stage and delivered an atmospheric show that turned the energy into heart-breaking and vulnerable vibes which the audience seemed to enjoy very much. With their emotionally raw lyrics and ambient guitar sounds filling the room with chilly vibes, the audience is fully captured by their performance chanting all the lyrics back to the stage, making the set one of the highlights of the night.

Casey

Next on the stage was Alazka who started off their set with a blast of energy, demanding the crowd to get moving. The mix between heavily screamed vocals in the verses and the melodic clean vocals in the choruses animated the crowd to join in and sing along. Both vocalists jumped off the stage to join the crowd whose excitement grew with each song.

Alazka

As the lights turned off, Being As An Ocean entered the stage bringing back the atmospheric ambience vibes Casey created earlier in their set. The combination of screamed, clean and spoken vocals accompanied by atmospheric guitars and synth heavy sounds shifted the energy and created an atmospheric space. Creating the connection to the fans, Joel (vocals) stepped off the stage to join the crowd and sing the vocals to everyone directly. With the fans chanting the lyrics back to the stage and the overall vibes of the set it was another highlight of the night, just before Northlane finished off the evening with a blast.

Being As An Ocean

Playing a good mix of their older and new songs, including their latest release Vultures, the band didn’t fail to get every single person in the room of their feet. Marcus’ vocal range is impressive and caters the atmospheric melodic hardcore sound of the music. The mix of heavy guitar riffs, atmospheric interludes and an alternation of screamed and clean vocals creates both energy and ambient vibes which turned their set into an unforgettable experience. Everyone in the crowd screamed the lyrics back to the band, jumped along and run around in circle pits. The light show complimented the already magical vibes inside the venue. Altogether, Northlane’s set was one of the highlights of the evening ending the one-day festival with an unforgettable show.

Northlane

Despite some technical issues and a rather bad acoustic caused through the issues, it was a great evening with amazing bands who seemed to enjoy their time on stage and highly appreciated the energy of the crowd. Everyone enjoyed themselves, singing along, jumping around or joining the circle pits in front of the stage. It definitely was a special time!

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Lights – weekly pictures

Especially the time right before Christmas is enlightened by many little lights and sparkling decoration to bring the Christmas spirit. Walking around the city becomes really interesting, mostly when it has gotten dark outside, as all the lights have been switched on, turning the rather colourless streets into colourful adventures. It’s almost like a live outdoor art gallery. The lights bring some warmth and cosiness to this dark and cold time of the year. It is definitely a special time, when people start competing with who might have the most colourful, the cheesiest or the most outstanding decoration both inside and outside their homes 😀

Christmas stars

Christmas tree

Camden Market

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Bring Me The Horizon 2

Bring Met The Horizon end their first part of the First Love Tour in Europe and the UK with another sold out show in London.

After a break of around three years, the sextet from Sheffield announced their new album ‘AMO’ (2019, RCA) as well as some tour dates leading up to the album release earlier this year. Formed in 2004, the band started as death metal band but re-defined their style and sound with every of their so far six released albums turning it into an alternative rock sound. However, the band comprising vocalist Oli Sykes, keyboardist and programmer Jordan Fish, drummer Matt Nicholls, guitarist Lee Malia and bassist Matt Kean, never failed to surprise their fans while keeping their core and uniqueness. Musically, they mix electronic sounds with heavy rock-ish guitars that support Oli’s both clean and screamed vocals. Especially their way of mixing different genres keeps their music interesting and unique. The two released singles ‘Mantra’ (2018, RCA) and ‘Wonderful Life (feat. Dani Filth)’ (2018, RCA) of the forthcoming album seem to continue mixing heavier with more commercial sounds.

Bring Me The Horizon

The doors of the Alexandra Palace ‘Ally Pally’, a well-known 10,000 capacity venue in North London, opened to a diverse audience, reaching from younger teenagers to some of their older fans who grew up with the band. First act on the stage was the British alternative indie band Yonaka from Brighton. Formed in 2015, the outlet comprising vocalist Theresa Jarvis, guitarist George Edwards, bassist Alex Crosby and drummer Robert Mason, mix a rather electronic sound with heavy guitars, creating a rather pop-ish sound. Opening the stage, the quartet set the right energy and got the crowd moving. Even though the audience needed some time to get into the spirit, with the first chorus of ‘Fired Up’ everyone jumped and sung along.

Yonaka

Second band of the evening was the American rapcore group Fever 333 from Inglewood CA, comprising vocalist Jason Aalon Butler, guitarist Steve Harrison and drummer Aric Improta. Formed in 2017, the band mixes aggressive heavy rock sounds with electronics and both spoken and shouted vocals. Their unique mix and the high energy on stage immediately caught the audience who jumped along and run around in circle pits. Lyrically, they spread many different deep messages one of which was that every woman at this gig should be feeling safe as communicated though their song ‘Walking In My Shoes’. Therefore, Theresa Jarvis joined on stage and sung the son together with Jason Aalon Butler.

Fever 333

Starting their set with ‘Mantra’ one of the singles of the forthcoming album, the crowd was captured right from the beginning and screamed back all the lyrics, dominating the choruses and chants. Even though the setlist was expected to mainly focus on their newer releases there was a chance of a medley of some of their older songs the band hasn’t been performing in over ten years. Asking the fans whether they wanted to hear some old songs, the crowd started cheering and went absolutely mental with the band dropping the first note of the ‘Comedown’ which was followed by ‘Medusa’, ‘Diamonds Aren’t Forever’ and ‘Re: They Have No Reflections’. The band nailed all the heavy parts as if they had never done anything else before and seemed to enjoy the travel back in time as much as the audience which started crowd surfing, moshing and screaming along.

Closer towards the end they slowed down their set with only leaving Lee and Oli on stage to perform an emotional acoustic version of ‘Drown’ right before finishing off the evening with an explosion of energy playing the anthemic songs ‘Doomed’ and ‘Throne’.

Bring Me The Horizon

Overall it was a great evening with amazing artists and good music. Both the light show and the sound were good, adding to the atmosphere of the music. The fans highly appreciated the mix of new and especially the very old songs Bring Me The Horizon performed which resulted in them screaming the lyrics back to the stage, moshing in circle pits and crowd surfing. All three bands seemed to have a great time and where overwhelmed by the energetic feedback of the crowd. It was a special time and a solid end of the Europe and UK tour!

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Selfworth

Selfworth opening the stage at the Silent Planet gig at The New Cross Inn.

Having been around for only a few months, the London based emotive hardcore outlet Selfworth just released their debut single ‘Sleep In Colour’ (2018, self-released) in June followed by their debut show at The Old Blue Last supporting Parting Gift and Modern Error. The quintet comprising vocalist Jack, both guitarists Brandon and Tom, bassist Ben, and drummer George mix a heavy and dynamic guitar sound with more melodic and atmospheric parts in between which supports the mainly shouted vocals, telling deeply honest and personal stories.

Selfworth

The 250-capacity venue, The New Cross Inn, opened its doors around 7pm to a quite young audience that increased and got livelier with every band. Opening up the stage, Selfworth set the right tone for the evening and captured the audience with their melancholic and intimate atmosphere. Jack joined the crowd in front of the stage until the end of their set. Next up was the American emotive post-rock band Comrades, comprising the siblings Joe and Laura McElroy who picked up the atmosphere of the previous set with they vibey and melancholic sounds.

Comrades

Third band of the evening was the British post-hardcore quartet Acres comprising vocalist Ben Lumber, both guitarists Alex Freeman and Theo Sandberg, as well as drummer Konnor Bracher-Walsh who have released their debut EP ‘In Sickness & Health’ in 2017 (self-release). With their mix of melodic and heavy guitars, supporting screamed verses and sung choruses they created an energetic and intimate atmosphere which was greatly received by their fans who sung along and jumped around.

Acres

Final band of the evening was the American melodic hardcore band Silent Planet, consisting of Alex, Thomas, Spencer, Garrett, and Mitchell who create heavy and dark music alongside emotional lyrics. Starting their set, the crowd was immediately captured by the energy coming from the band who was thankful for the positive feedback they received.

Silent Planet

The light show for all four sets was kept basic which added to the atmosphere. However, rather dark and colour less lights might had helped creating a certain atmosphere further. Unfortunately, the acoustic was quite buzzing and not on point but having in mind it was a small venue, the sound was alright.

Selfworth

Overall, it was a great evening with amazingly talented bands who created an intimate and energetic atmosphere for their audience. Both the fans and the bands seemed to enjoy themselves, which was shown through the gratitude the bands vocalised towards the audience, as well as the fans shouting the lyrics back to the stage. It was definitely a special time.

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Pagan

The Australian blackened rock and roller Pagan kicked off their EU / UK Black Wash Tour at the Old Blue Last in London.

Formed in 2013, the quartet comprising vocalist Nikki Brumen, guitarist Xavier Santilli, bassist Dan Bonnici and drummer Matt Marasco released their first self-titled EP ‘Pagan’ in 2015 followed by a few singles that are part of their book of spells, as well as they released their ‘Death Before Disco’ EP (2018, EVP Recordings) and their debut album Black Wash (2018, Hassle Records / EVP Recordings). Musically, the band mixes underground hardcore punk with black metal. Especially Nikki’s screamed vocals supported by the heavy guitars and the dark atmosphere make the band unique.

Pagan

The doors to the Old Blue Last, an atmospheric 120-capacity pub, opened around 7.30 to a mixed but rather slightly older crowd of young adults. First up was the British post-hardcore band Phoxjaw. The quintet from Bristol comprises vocalist Danny Garland, both guitarists Josh Gallop and Glenn Hawkins, as well as drummer Kieran Gallop and Huw Allen on the keys, who create a fresh grungy and melancholic sound mixing heavy vocals and dark sounding guitars.

Phoxjaw

Even though the venue was quite empty at the beginning, Phoxjaw created a lot of energy and set up the right vibes for the rest of the night. Their vivid performance on stage animated the audience to move and sing along getting excited for Pagan who were up next. With Pagan entering the stage to hold their ritual, as they call their shows, the crowd went crazy. Everyone was chanting or screaming along and jumping around. Nikki herself joined the crowd towards the end of the set which was highly appreciated by the crowd. With each song the energy level seemed to increase.

The light show and acoustic of the venue was very basic but suited both performances well. As the sets and the music was quite dark and heavy, the simple light show helped to create the right atmosphere and vibe to support the music.

Pagan

Overall, it was a nice evening with a great live show and good music. Both, the bands and the fans seemed to have an amazing time on as well as off stage. The fans highly appreciated the energy and motivation of the bands which resulted in them joining the performance and singing along. It was a special time and an energetic start of Pagan’s EU / UK tour.

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