Forlorn / Swarmed / Healing Wound at The Black Heart, London, 2025

It’s a special night at one of our favorite pubs in London, as folk horror quintet Forlorn debuts their first album, “Aether“. The London-based group, formed in 2019, has been releasing singles and EPs for a couple of years now, carefully crafting their unique “Midsommar Metal” style. No better way to release a new album than playing it for a very busy The Black Heart!

Kicking off the night, Brighton-based Healing Wound. Formed in late 2023, the group brings their crushing Blackened Metalcore sound with blast beats and harsh vocals to the stage, bathed in dim red light, adding more drama to their aggressive sound. Vocalist Harry Huntington does some incredible work, both with his voice and his heavy expressions.

Following up, an impressive performance by London-based Modern Metal act Swarmed, who recently released their new EP “Sun and Void” just before the new year. Frontman James Burton stayed in the pit during their entire set, alternating between clean vocals, harsh vocals and moshing with the audience.

As the stage is cleared and Forlorn gets ready, a different mood takes over the venue. The mic stand is draped in tree branches and crystals while the fans get ready for Megan Jenkins and the band. Drawing inspirations from folk, black metal, prog and metalcore, the band stuns, alternating between soft mellow passages and blast beats, like a modern metal take on Myrkur. Megan manages to move between growling and soft passages easily, enhancing the nightmarish soundscape created by the band.

After an incredible night, we hope to see and hear more from Forlorn soon. There’s no doubt they will be playing for bigger audiences soon.