Employed to Serve just wrapped up their Fallen Star UK Tour, promoting their newest album under the same name. It officially dropped to buy and stream on all major platforms on the 25th of April – the final show’s date at London’s O2 Academy Islington. They brought along two fiery support acts: Burner and Celestial Sanctuary.
Burner opened the evening bathed in deep red, blood-like atmospheric lighting and delivered a fantastic performance blending death metal and hardcore, with a dash of blackened vibes seeping in from their black metal influences. Their sound was intensely raw and packed with an extensive range of emotions. Burner is a seriously well-rounded band with an absolute juggernaut presence on stage. Their debut EP, All Returns to Nothing, makes a frequent appearance on my playlist, and it’s no surprise that it has garnered numerous accolades since its release in 2022. In mid-April, they dropped a brand-new single, The Night Does Not End, which hints (hopefully!) at even more new music on the horizon. Nothing has been officially announced yet, but I’m putting it into writing purely to manifest it. You’re welcome!
Celestial Sanctuary were up next, and they truly mean the DEATH in Death Metal. I was a little bit beside myself—and I wasn’t the only one feeling the crushing vibes. The crowd seriously cranked up the energy as they played hard and fast on stage. Their riffs make your head spin, and their drums are downright savage and relentless, often making it hard to keep up with the pace of their blistering tempos. They brought fantastic energy and definitely made a lot of new fans that night. Right now, they’re promoting their new single, Visions of Stagnant Blood, which is an excellent introduction to their discography. If you’re London-based, catch them at the Incineration Festival on the Underworld Stage—you won’t be disappointed!
Then it was time for the star of the night—Employed to Serve. You could feel the crowd growing impatient during the interlude; they were buzzing with excitement, eager to hear their favourite songs and get a taste of the freshly released material. This was a “birth” show for their fifth studio album, Fallen Star, and the venue was packed. When they finally took the stage, the scream of the crowd was deafening—so loud, in fact, that the sounds coming from the stage and from behind me nearly crushed me as I found myself sandwiched in the photo pit!
It was clear that Employed to Serve has built a powerful connection with the people drawn to their sound. Their journey to this latest release has been one of hard work and determination, landing them support slots for big names like Gojira along the way. Many voices in the music media are shouting that Fallen Star is their ticket to the next level of the Metal food chain—and honestly, we agree. Here at Metaljunkbox, we’re of the same opinion (you can read our full album review here).
Coming back to the live show, they know exactly what they’re doing. The band as a whole is enchanting and engaging to watch. They blast through some of their heaviest riffs and breakdowns with massive grins on their faces. Frontwoman Justine Jones stole the show with her intense, stunning vocals. I was genuinely floored—it was my first time seeing them perform live. She brings a raw, intentional intensity that’s been honed through years of performing, and it’s completely captivating – her own unique fire burns bright and complements well with the brutality of the instrumentals.
We sincerely hope Fallen Star propels them to new heights. You can catch Employed to Serve at Full Metal Cruise, Mystic Festival, and more dates to be announced soon. Make sure to follow their socials so you don’t miss any updates!