At the popular Camden venue The Underworld, we were invited for a gig to be remembered, on a crazy mix of genres, a very diverse and energetic crowd of all ages and styles, and lots, but lots of fun and smoke.
Esoterik
The evening kicked off with US dark-pop duo ESOTERIK, with Allison Eckfeldt on vocals and Brady Bledsoe on guitar. They offered a great intro to the night, blending electronic beats with alternating heavy and clean vocals. Allison brought a stage energy, setting the tone with confidence and charisma.
Crimson Veil
Next was Crimson Veil, a band already known and loved by Metal Junkbox, fronted by Mishkin Fitzgerald. Their performance expertly combined death growls, ethereal melodies, and progressive rock influences, ranging from gentle passages to intense heaviness. Mishkin, in attire reflecting their folk-inspired style, engaged with the audience with theatrical movements, while visual elements like roses and branches reinforced their atmospheric presence. With their 2024 album Hex gaining traction, the crowd at The Underworld already showed that they knew the songs, highlighting Crimson Veil’s rapidly rising profile.
Extize
Shifting gears dramatically, Extize turned the venue into a dance floor with their energetic DJ-and-vocalist setup. Accompanied by compelling visuals, including nods to Hellraiser, their lively set had fans dancing, infusing the evening with an upbeat, club-like atmosphere.
Combichrist
Anticipation peaked as Combichrist prepared to take the stage, foreshadowed by so much smoke that it triggered the venue’s fire alarms. Frontman Andy LaPlegua came and brought instant chaos, leading the crowd through an electrifying set dominated by pulsating industrial rhythms and heavy riffs. Tracks like “Throat Full of Glass,” “Get Your Body Beat,” and “Electrohead” had fans jumping, shouting lyrics passionately and getting the venue even hotter.
Combichrist’s energy and the crowd’s response highlighted the band’s anticipation, with fans coming from Italy, Germany, and more just to see them. They delivered a memorable climax, reaffirming their status as titans in the industrial scene and concluding the night on a powerful high.
