LIVE REVIEW: DE PROFUNDIS @ THE BLACK HEART - 17/06/2018
Background:
Over the past decade, ‘De Profundis’ have continued to push themselves further and further within the growing UK death metal scene. Coming off the back of the release of their fifth and most recent album ‘ The Blinding Light Of Faith’, the band have put on a sensational bill to play at London’s prestigious The Black Heart.
The Black Heart 17/06/2018: Unfortunately due to transport problems, Spirit Level missed the opening two acts ‘Concrete Age’ and ‘This Is Turin’ but judging by the buzz generated by the time we arrived, it sounds as though we missed two brilliant performances.
Fortunately, we arrive just in time for ‘Dying Vision’ to take to the stage. Combining elements of death, black and thrash metal together; ‘Dying Vision’ generate a wildly varied storm of riffs with a hefty groove to boot. Vocalist Richard Ashton stalks the room with a wide eyed ferocity that both chills you to the bone and simultaneously draws you in to rock your heart out. The room may not be particularly full, but that does not stop the band from giving it everything that they have got. A special teaser off of their upcoming new album adds an extra bluesy/jazz influence which brings an extra dynamic to an already diverse sound before descending into a tumultuously heavy riff that shakes the room to its very foundations. This is definitely a band to keep an eye on and we are very much looking forward to hearing what comes next.
Next up on stage are ‘Jonestown’ who recently teased the new single off of their upcoming sophomore album ‘DYATLOV’. The fire and energy behind this band is highly infectious as they stomp their way through a ferocious set of hulking riffs and brutality. Partway through the set, vocalist Harley Anderson welcomes their new bassist who is playing is debut show with the band (not that we could have been able to tell as the bassist is one of the highlights of the night). The title track off of their debut ‘Aokigahara’ is monstrously savage and goes down an absolute storm. Likewise the new single ‘The Peoples Temple’ is so heavy that Spirit Level were in danger of tearing our own cranium from our shoulders through headbanging. On the topic of craniums, headline act ‘De Profundis’ are on a warpath to crush every skull that stands in their way. Dual guitar riffing and a six string bassist come together alongside a phenomenally talented double kick drummer and a devilishly sinister vocalist to prove that there is a reason as to why the five piece have been generating such big waves in recent years. Unfortunately there are moments where the vocals are lost within the mix that takes away a bit of the impact, however when the band are playing to such high quality as they are tonight, it is a small price to pay. The new material sounds delectably chaotic in a live environment and by the end of the night there isn’t a single person in view who isn’t punching their fists in the air and raising the horns.
