On a rainy, miserable night in London, the Electric Ballroom in Camden became the ultimate destination for death metal fans. Despite the weather wreaking the usual chaos on public transport, the venue was packed wall to wall, for a lineup that promised absolute chaos: Dying Fetus, Despised Icon, Chelsea Grin, and Vitriol.
Vitriol
The night kicked off with Portland’s Vitriol, who wasted no time getting the crowd warmed up. Despite being down a bassist, the two-piece band brought an intensity that filled every corner of the stage. Lead vocalist Kyle Rasmussen roared through their short, relentless set, and drummer Matt Kilner delivered some of the best blast beats of the night.
Despised Icon
Next up was Despised Icon, and this is where things took off. With two vocalists, Alex Erian and Steve Marois, trading guttural growls and screams, the band had an energy that was impossible to ignore. From the first note, we could see what was coming. The band’s technical skill was on full display, navigating complex tempo changes and crushing breakdowns that felt like hammers to the chest. Despised Icon brought a level of crowd interaction and power that left an unforgettable impression.
Chelsea Grin
Chelsea Grin kept the momentum going, delivering a polished and heavy set that showcased their deathcore roots. Tom Barber’s vocals cut through the mix, and the band immediately had the crowd in the palm of their hand.
Dying Fetus
Dying Fetus took the stage to a roar of approval, kicking things off with “From Womb to Waste.” From the first chord, it was pure chaos. The Electric Ballroom became a battlefield of mosh pits, crowd surfers, and walls of death, with the band driving the carnage forward. John Gallagher’s crushing riffs and Trey Williams’s flawless drumming created a sound so heavy it felt like the walls might collapse. Security worked overtime to manage the endless flow of crowd surfers, ensuring everyone stayed safe as bodies flew through the air.
The setlist was a masterclass in death metal, pulling from their entire discography, including tracks from their latest album, Make Them Beg for Death. Fans old and new were treated to a relentless performance, with each song hitting harder than the last. Gallagher’s iconic power stance and the band’s signature brutal sound kept the energy until the very end.
While all the bands brought something unique to the table, it was Despised Icon and Dying Fetus who defined the night. Despised Icon’s explosive energy and crowd connection paired with Dying Fetus’s technical precision and raw brutality made for a one-two punch that left the Electric Ballroom shaking. Despite the rain, the transport delays, and the chaos outside, the night was a triumphant celebration of everything death metal fans live for. If you weren’t there, you missed something special.
Crowd Shots
Artists: Chelsea Grin, Despised Icon, Dying Fetus, Vitriol