Jig-Ai / Blockheads / Undergang

Once, Hamlet said, "There's something rotten in the state of Denmark," which is an apt way to introduce death metallers Undergang. Formed in 2008, their brand of death metal is in the old school framework, mean and nasty with the same moods as Incantation and Demilich. However, they are far from the standard wannabe retro death metal band that is in vogue in the underground metal scene.

There is a particular focus on muscular rhythms with modern slam death metal-style, which makes the headbanging experience more pronounced. Headbangers in the audience certainly appreciate the unforgiving styling of these brutal Vikings. However, the three-piece are tied down by dual vocal duties, limiting their movements on stage but the audience are certainly compensating for this. For their first UK show, there is definitely enough interest in Undergang and hopefully in the future they will return again.

Even though they reside just across the channel, France's Blockheads are also making their UK debut tonight, despite being around since 1989. The sound is the typically relentless kind commonplace in modern death metal/grindcore but this does not prevent the show from being enjoyable. Mosh pits are set off rapidly and intensify when the slam death metal moments kick in. The band members resemble madmen on stage, dishing out punishing servings to break a neck to. Just when people are beginning to get used to the aural assault, proceedings are shook up when the band invite the audience on stage, causing a wave of drunken metalheads to accompany the Blockheads in a headbanging marathon. This is always a great way to engage with any audience and it is safe to say that many will think of these relatively unknown musicians favourably.

The late night does little to deter the drunken punters as Czech goregrind madmen Jig-Ai take the stage, opening with the instrumental Carcass-influenced 'Wasabi Chicks', instantly summoning a frenetic circle pit in the venue. The frequently maligned hybrid of death metal and grindcore is often associated with mediocrity and a lack of variation but Jig-Ai, without re-inventing the wheel, manage to sustain interest in any of their snappy numbers, alternating between chunky rhythms, slam death metal moments, sheer abrasive blastbeats and a collection of tempos and textures. Songs generally clock in between one and two minutes, which works very favourably for this kind of metal.

The setlist is composed of songs from both of the band's albums, including such Japanese and risqué titles as 'Retching By Penis', 'Geishas Sucks European Cocks', 'Dick Grapple', 'Ninja Gangbang' and 'Samurai Gay Party'. New song '10 Seconds in A C*nthole' follows in a typical Jig-Ai vein and goes down a storm with the attendees. Also served up are a two covers, first UK grind legends Lock Up's 'Detestation' - as visceral as the original – and the grind Carcass classic 'Genital Grinder', instantly firing up the audience with its catchy riffs. The three piece looks fairly small occupying a stage far larger than they need but this is fixed when the Jig-Ai invite the audience to take the stage, eager not to be upstaged by the Blockheads perhaps. A swarm of sweaty bodies join the trio, headbanging in unison. This is a great way to end the set, way past 1am. It is safe to say that Jig-Ai's debut UK show is certainly a success.

FUTURE GIGS

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