Live Review: Combichrist – Underworld, London
20th May 2025
Support: Esoterick, Crimson Vale, Extize
Words & Photos: Tom Atkin
New venue time for me tonight. The mighty Camden Underworld. And what better reason to attend than for the legends that are Combichrist.
Sadly due to a combination of traffic and a mix up at the door, I missed the openers of the evening Esoterick. However, chatting to some friends that had been there from the start, they said they performed really well and the crowd seemed to enjoy it!
So for the second band, Crimson Vale. A UK born prog rock / metal band that a fairly new to the scene, having only formed in early 2024. That means nothing though as they take to the stage with a great presence and a stunning sound. They have a very unique aura, blending between several different genres with zero effort. Whether it be haunting goth style rock, or some pretty heavy metal. The vocals, instrumentals and just the band in general love taking the crowd on a journey. If they keep putting in this kind of work they are sure to progress. In the nicest possible way, I hope they stick to smaller venues for a while because the scene matches their “vibe” extremely well!
Considering the previous bands music, and knowing Combichrist, I was not sure what to expect for the final support act, Extize.
The stage was set with a metal stand with a screen in front of it. So, still I had no idea, but what a surprise it was, A French/German collaboration of gothic electronic music infused with samples from the whole of the media world. It was loud, it was bassy, it was absolutely amazing dancing music. The whole of the bottom floor at the Underworld was dancing. The icing on the cake though? A Cow Bell being giving to a member of the crowd who kept perfectly in time with the music. Oh and the whole crowd dancing like Shaun Of The Dead zombies!
Having a long drive home tonight, this is definitely being put on my playlist. As you would think with music that takes from inspiration from EDM, there was lights and animations all in time to the music, which just added to an already great atmosphere.
Finally, the industrial powerhouse that is Combichrist take to the stage. By this point the venue is packed and incredibly warm, I feel sorry for the latex wrapped people that have already been dancing all night.
From the moment they started playing, they started delivering exactly what everyone came to see, a high energy blend of industrial and metal music that they have been perfecting for years now. They brought out an amazing mix of songs tonight both new and old, most of which off either their 2024 album CMBCRST or the extremely well received 2010 Making Monsters. A mix that shows of they know exactly what they are doing, whilst holding different styles they still have the same ingredients at the core. It is those flavours that have sold out tonight’s show. I reference a show last year that felt like the opening scene to Blade. This gives that exact same vibe and is the reason this genre is so well loved.
This night’s line up has been absolutely incredible, feeling as though the support bands we saw were a preparation for Combichrist, an d it feels like if you mixed them together, this is what you would get out the other side. All of it performed exceptionally well, five of them on a small stage, it doesn’t feel as though any one is being shoved aside. They are just here to make some loud ass industrial music.
Having listened to them for several years now. I am incredibly happy that I have gotten to see Andy LePlegua bring this exciting mix of genres to the stage. I only hope they get to tour a fair few more timess, and honestly small venues are the perfect place for this. The sound is incredible, its is fun, raw and in your face. You get exactly what you expect with Combichrist, even if you are only a slight fan, get to one of their shows and be turned into a proper fan!
Photo Credit: Tom Atkin
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