LIVE REVIEW: ANAAL NATHRAKH @ THE BLACK HEART 11/08/2018
Background:
For the past twenty years, ‘Anaal Nathrakh’ have been continuously pushing the boundaries of extreme metal music to the limits. Self described as “the soundtrack of armageddon, the audial essence of evil” the Birmingham duo are the type of band that even hardened metal fans often find too much. With their 10th studio album scheduled for release at the end of the year, London was treated to a rare live performance from the band at Camden's The Black Heart.
The Black Heart 11/08/2018: Although we have been to many shows at The Black Heart in recent months, it has been a while since we have seen the venue at max capacity. With that in mind, it is a welcome sight to see a packed out room for support act ‘Atrocity Exhibit’. With a relentless set of insanely fast grindcore, ‘Atrocity Exhibit’ power through 18 songs in about 25 minutes. The three piece are on fine form this evening as they charge along at breakneck speed, only stopping briefly to introduce the next song. Finishing with a cover of ‘Possibility Of Life’s Destruction’ by ‘Discharge’ ‘Atrocity Exhibit’ succeed in warming up the crowd and we look forward to hearing their debut full length record which is scheduled for release in a few months time. Tonight is truly a special night. Instead of a second support act, we are instead treated to a surprise playback of ‘Anaal Nathrakh’s new album ahead of its September release. We will review the album in more detail in the next few weeks, but suffice to say that it was an experience that we will not forget in a hurry and we cannot wait to listen to the record again.
After a few minutes to allow the fans to come to terms with what they have just experienced, it is time for the headline act. ‘Anaal Nathrakh’ shows are rare and notoriously chaotic and tonight is no exception. From the opening notes of new song ‘Obscene As Cancer’ the entire room erupts into a war zone of flailing bodies and nightmarish screams. From hereon out the night is non-stop carnage that culminates in a spectacular wall of death that spans the entire length of the room to ‘Do Not Speak’, t is remarkable that everyone is able to walk out of the venue in one piece. New single ‘Forward’ absolutely slams in a live environment and the band are cheerfully joking about the songs mixed reception online. In fact, it is the relaxed nature in which the band joke and converse with the enthusiastic crowd that elevates tonight from a good show to a great show as ‘Anaal Nathrakh’ make it feel like they are playing to a bunch of mates in a garage. In a year that has included shows ranging from ‘Employed To Serve’ and ‘Napalm Death’ we seriously struggle to think of anyone who could hold a candle to tonight in terms of heaviness and pure rage fuelled ferocity.
