Live Review: Abbath – London

This was a bill that for some time teetered on the brink of cancellation following Abbath’s well publicised problems in South America last year. Promising signs from the Northern territories eased the panic of the faithful and eventually Abbath Doom Occulta lead his band to a triumphant headline set from on a bitterly cold evening in North London. The undercard was special too, and it was only on reflection that you realised just what an evening this had been.

Current Candlelight label residents Nuclear are no slouches when it comes to metal. With over 20 years as a band under their belt, there was little fear in evidence as the band made their London debut. With several albums under their belt, the Chilean thrash veterans deliver a blackened style of thrash, similar in some respects to Sepultura, such is the aggression and explosive dynamics on stage. Nuclear may have experienced line-up changes in the past but they are racing towards a decade as one unit with bassist Roberto Soto already eight years in. Most of the band have been locked together since 1995 (when they played as Escoria) whilst vocalist Matias Leonicio joined in 2005. Keen to demonstrate their worth on such a stellar bill, they thrashed their way through a six-song set with gusto, Leonicio’s Chuck Billy style delivery neatly fitting the band’s raging thrash. Confront, one of two songs from 2015’s Formula for Anarchy opened the evening, whilst they had the confidence to debut new song No Light At All from their forthcoming album. Crammed at the front of the stage restricted their movement but a generous light show and the band’s no-nonsense approach rightly earned hearty cheers from the slowly filling venue. The heat had been ignited.

2019’s Something Wicked Marches In was a devastating brilliant debut album from Vltimas, the death metal supergroup comprising Dave Vincent, Rune Eriksen and Flo Mouriner. Their inclusion on this bill increased the value for money for me and the venue was filling nicely when the band hit the stage. Bathed in red spotlights, Vincent devilishly stalked the stage, leather coat flowing and cowboy hat firmly in place. Eriksen peeled out riffs for fun whilst Mournier’s pneumatic blast beats remain a thing of bewilderment, such is their precision and speed. Vincent’s vocals have lost nothing over the years, and his presence on the stage is immense, his seemingly effortless ability to move about with ease subtly disguising his contribution. Dry ice and clever changes in lighting, switching between reds, blues and greens added to the atmosphere whilst the huge banner bearing the band’s name stood defiantly at the rear of the stage. Vltimas roared through a nine-song set, exclusively drawn from the album. Highlights included the gothic edged Monolith, Everlasting and a crushing Marching On, the anthem which closed the set.

Having drawn breath, the temperature was stoked even higher as Norwegian Black Metal legends 1349 took to the stage. A band I’d only seen on stage outdoors before, inside 1349 didn’t disappoint with a magnificent show, their set comprising songs from last year’s The Infernal Pathway and a smattering of tracks from three other albums. The roar that greeted Frost as he made his way to his massive kit confirmed that many in the audience were there for 1349 and the audience had by now visibly swollen. As the dry ice poured onto the stage, vocalist Ravn emerged, flanked by the cloaked figure of bassist Siedemann stage right and guitarist Archaon. With their positions established, 1349 launched into Sculptor of Flesh and for the next 40 minutes provided a masterclass in relentless black metal. Such was the power in Frost’s drumming that at times it was too prominent in the mix, dominating Archaon’s satanic riffing. When the guitar sound broke through the mix we were exposed to a virulent and clinical display, the tremolo riffing cutting clearly through the evening noise. Pillars of steam shot relentlessly skyward, lighting focused on a cluster of darker reds whilst Ravn’s slight frame, accentuated by his double studded arm chaps cast an eerie sinister figure front of house. Pacing around the stage like a caged tiger, unleashing his guttural vocals, this was Ravn at work and it was impressive. Talk to the audience was unsurprisingly limited, restricted to a brief but heartfelt “thank you” at the end. Closing with a pummelling Abyssos Anthesis, the only disappointment amongst the crowd was that the set had finished.

It wasn’t long before the tension and excitement mounted once more as a huge carved ‘Abbath’ straddled the stage, framed in icy blue spotlights. An orchestral version of Manuel de Falla’s Danza Ritual del Fuego echoed dramatically from the PA. Ukri Suviletho took to the drum stool, his muscular torso twitching, followed closely by new bassist Rusty Cornell and guitarist Ole Andre Farstad. The intro of Hecate cascaded from the speakers and then Abbath emerged as the band roared into their opening song. As the venue heaved a sigh of relief, it was quickly evident that Abbath was on fine form, his unique croaked delivery reliable and welcomed joyously by the crowd. Clad in his battle armour, soaked in blues, reds and greens by the slick light show, the man may have put on a couple of pounds, but he remains an imposing figure. A fine set list evolved, with tracks from the magnificent Outstrider mixed with four songs from debut release Abbath. The question of the evening was what Immortal songs would we get and there could be no disappointment with a raucous version of Against the Tide (In the Artic World) and In My Kingdom Cold, whilst the inclusion of Warriors from the album Between Two Worlds by I was welcomed by the old school. “It’s great to be sober” Abbath roared halfway through the set, and there was not have been a soul in the venue who could have thought different. Abbath calm and well, on fire and fully functioning. Closing with Winterbane and a massive To War, this was a genuinely emotional evening which welcomed back one of our own. In the last few weeks extreme metal has lost several brothers too early. It was fantastic to see one of the black metal legends fitting back.