Tonight is a potent demonstration of intercontinental old school death metal, namely the uncompromising Swedes in Grave and the Floridian violent force Malevolent Creation, for the Death Raid over Europe Tour making its stop in London. Both bands are afforded the opportunity to enjoy a co-headlining stint and the first line of attack belongs to the American collective.
'Manic Demise' from 1998's 'The Fine Art of Murder', Malevolent Creation set the tone with scathing classic death metal tremolo riffing with a foreboding sound. Formed in 1987 and with twelve albums beneath their belts, this band is a commonly uttered moniker on the topic of old school death metal. This is the Americans' second jaunt to the capital in as many years and the venue is well-attended with a large assemblage of headbangers but,as is quizzically unorthodox for a death metal performance of this calibre, there is an absence of any kind of mosh pit for the duration of their set.
This year saw Malevolent Creation unveil new album 'Dead Man's Path' and the full-length is represented tonight by the hymns of such bestial force, like 'Corporate Weaponry', 'Soul Razer', 'Blood of the Fallen' and 'Imperium (Kill Force Rising)'. These tracks occupy the skin of modern death metal with a robust level of technical competency and variations of tempos pacing from the sprint of unbridled blast beats to the bone-crunching rhythmic. The likes of old songs 'Multiple Stabwounds', 'Blood Brothers' and 'Eve of the Apocalypse' are all executed with punishing vigour. The final weapon of the night is the usual eponymous 'Malevolent Creation', concluding a bout of highly satisfying headbanging fare.
Swedish old school death metallers Grave formed in 1988, an undisputable household name in their country's nascent death metal scene. The set ignites with the fan favourite 'You'll Never See', vocalist Ola Lindgren's deep barks dominating the venue, catchy guitar riffs in tow. Many of the retro Swedish death metal acts in profusion now pay shamelessly homage to the sound forged by Grave. Buzz saw guitar riffs alternating between a sinister slower paced tempo are the meat-and-potatoes of the breed of Swedish death metal that this four-piece help engineer. The stage presence is relatively minimalist but the savagery of the Swedes' music roars for itself.
New aggressions, including title track 'Out of Respect for the Dead' and 'Plain Pine Box',pummel harder in the live field rather than on record and are greeted by frantic movement from the attendees. There is a fusion of dirty guitar riffs and meandering melodies on this release that marks it as distinct in Grave's discography and possibly the most varied full-length they have produced in numerous years. These tracks are unloaded alongside prime selections from throughout the Swedes' extensive career including 'Soulless', 'Winds of Chains', 'Morbid Ways to Die' and their most popular song 'Into the Grave' remorselessly visceral, plunging the Underworld into the depths of barbarity for the night. As Grave abandon the stage, the punters are vociferous in their applause.
Tonight was a fantastic history lesson for any adherents of the death metal subgenre. Despite being over half a century old combined, both acts illustrate that they are still wholly competent when it comes to executing a venomous portrait of death metal.
FUTURE GIGS
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