Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
If you’re still wondering if your new gym membership was a hasty New Year’s resolution, I suggest you think it over again. You know what? There’s actually a way to lose those extra holiday pounds that’s way more fun: just dive into the mosh pit at a Cryptopsy show!
On a chilly Saturday night, the queue for the O2 Academy Islington snaked all the way back to Angel underground station—a clear sign of the lasting impact of the evening’s main acts. This tour is a big deal, marking the 30th anniversary of Cryptopsy’s iconic album, “None So Vile“. To celebrate the milestone, the Canadian legends had a fantastic support with them: 200 Stab Wounds, Inferi, and Corpse Pile.
Starting off the night were Corpse Pile. Whether you want to label them as “politically correct activists” or just some intense sonic chaos, they really tore through the crowd like a blade flying from afar. Coming straight out of Texas, they delivered a heavy, slow-motion brutality that mixed the heaviest slam elements with a crossover hardcore vibe. When I say “politically correct,” I’m talking about their impactful motivational speech about what’s happening in the world right now—a perfect fit for a band that often addresses themes of corruption and injustice in their lyrics. From my cosy spot on the balcony, I couldn’t help but feel pretty smart just watching the chaos below; the floor was already a whirlwind of spin-kicks and windmilling moves. Their set was quick, intense, and really hit home as the ideal wake-up call for London.
Photo: Peterson Marti.
Switching things up, Inferi brought a nice mix of technical skill and melody that really balanced out the earlier heavy vibes. So, there was a bit of a hiccup here; the sound mix just didn’t really match the energy of the others, with the vocals getting a little lost under the instruments. Even with those technical challenges, their “shred” was still something to behold—a fast-paced blend of technical death metal filled with intricate guitar harmonies. Stevie Boiser, the vocalist, really showed off his amazing range. I loved his stage presence; there were moments when he seemed like a conductor, getting the crowd to form a circle pit, all moving to the beat of his voice.
Photo: Peterson Marti.
Just when everyone thought they could catch a break, 200 Stab Wounds jumped on stage, mixing that classic groove with a fresh, intense vibe. Coming straight out of Cleveland, these guys from the “New Wave of Old School Death Metal” brought a totally filthy mix of caveman riffs and some seriously fast thrash to the stage. The mosh pit just took over the whole floor of the venue in no time. I really felt for the people downstairs; the violence was intense, and the crowd-surfing was so non-stop that fans were almost leaping onto each other’s shoulders just to get a lift. This raw and intensely powerful performance was definitely the standout moment of the night for me. The crowd clearly couldn’t contain themselves either.
Photo: Peterson Marti.
The vibe really cranked up as the lights went down and the iconic bells of Metallica’s “For Whom the Bell Tolls” rang out through the hall. Cryptopsy jumped on stage and kicked things off with “Slit Your Guts.”
The set was a perfect mix of the fresh and the iconic, bringing together tracks from 2023’s “As Gomorrah Burns” and the 30th-anniversary celebration of “None So Vile”. Listening to classics like “Graves of the Fathers” and “Crown of Horns” in 2026 really shows why this band is still at the top of their game.
The spotlight was on Flo Mounier at the drums. After all these years, he’s still a total freak of nature—one of the fastest and most precise drummers out there. Out front, Matt McGachy really took charge of the room with an intense stage presence. He didn’t interact with the crowd much, but when he did, it really worked. It kept the energy buzzing the whole time by simply staring at people. When the haunting piano intro of “Phobophile” kicked in, the O2 Islington felt less like a concert hall and more like a war zone.
I’m not really sure how many made it through the night in one piece, but I can guarantee there will be some epic bruises to flaunt the next day.
Photo: Peterson Marti.
