Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
With a brand-new album that just dropped on February 6th and a legacy that honestly speaks for itself, there was no way we were missing Mayhem’s “Death over Europe” tour when it hit London. Bringing Marduk and Immolation along for the ride? That’s a line-up you just don’t pass up.
Of course, in classic fashion, we were greeted by some pretty miserable British weather. But the mood stayed high—I even spotted a guy in a banana suit in the crowd. Honestly, I love that someone can bring a bit of humor to an event with such serious music. It’s those little moments that make a gig.
As soon as Immolation kicked off with “An Act of God,” the energy in Brixton just shifted. The place came alive instantly. It was a wild ride from the jump, and these guys really know how to put on a show without needing any flashy stage prompts—they just let the music do the heavy lifting.
The riffs were intense and the delivery was incredibly sharp. Watching lead guitarist Robert Vigna is always a highlight; his stage presence is captivating. Combine that with Ross Dolan headbanging with some of the longest hair I’ve ever seen in metal, and you’ve got a visual that matches the sound perfectly. They keep it simple but effective, proving that you don’t always need cloaks or face paint to sound truly evil. Between songs, Ross took a second to shout out the other bands on the bill and gave us a taste of the future by playing their new single, “Adversary.”
Photo: Peterson Marti.
Right before 8:00 PM, the venue filled with smoke, and the Marduk logo lit up the room. I’ll be honest—the smoke was a bit much. I could barely see what was happening on stage, but hey, that’s part of the vibe, right?
It looked like a bit of a struggle for them on such a cramped stage, especially since Mayhem’s massive setup was already taking up most of the space. For a band of this caliber, you’d expect things to be seamless, but something felt a little “off.” The sound wasn’t quite hitting the mark, and there were some long pauses between songs that made me wonder if they were having technical issues.
That said, Mortuus really held the set together. His raw vocals brought a ton of energy to the room. We won’t get into their “politically incorrect” past here, but when they’re on point, their songs really hit home. Maybe tonight just wasn’t their perfect night, and I was a bit confused why some of their biggest hits didn’t make the cut, but with a shorter set time, I guess you have to make sacrifices.
Photo: Peterson Marti.
It looks like Mayhem has been taking some notes from the tech world lately, because they’ve clearly invested in some serious digital effects and visuals. I was actually surprised to see this in black metal, but it worked! I loved how they brought the new album graphics to life while mixing in some of their classic old-school imagery.
Can we talk about Hellhammer’s drum set for a second? It’s an absolute beast, much like the man himself. You can barely see him behind all that chrome and hardware, but you can definitely feel the energy he’s putting out.
Attila was on another level with the costume changes. He went from a demonic priest to a gritty sergeant, matching the different eras of the band’s story. At one point, he was singing while staring down a skull, almost like he was challenging it. It was incredibly theatrical. As for Teloch, Ghul, and Necrobutcher, they felt like watchers or gargoyles just observing and judging us. There were times I actually felt judged! I found myself just staring, totally frozen by the sound.
The stage itself was a massive production with two levels and stairs, which gave the band plenty of room to move around and added a cool theatrical layer. They powered through 20 songs, hitting all the major milestones of their career. The crowd went absolutely nuts when they played “Freezing Moon,” especially with the playback of Dead’s voice. They finished the night with a brutal encore of “Necrolust,” “Carnage,” and “Pure Fucking Armageddon.”
All in all, this “crashing trio” was the perfect way to shake off a midweek slump. It’s rare to see a lineup this legendary, and it was great to see it bring together everyone from the old-school veterans to the brand-new fans.
Photo: Peterson Marti.
