Loathe have been one of the most interesting bands to come up in the UK scene in recent years. Emerging in the mid-2010s as a part of the nu-metalcore movement, the Liverpool group have since pushed and escaped the boundaries of their genre. This was no more apparent than on this seminal 2020 sophomore effort, I Let It In And It Took Everything – a record so unique and downright electrifying that its influence is to be heard for years to come, to be sure. Now, almost two full years on, as weird as that feels to say, Loathe have embarked on their first headlining UK run since the album’s launch, opting to play the album in its entirety.
Slow Crush (Joe Edwards)
Slow Crush acted as the main support, due to Modern Error withdrawing due to COVID. The Belgian group earlier this year dropped Hush, which stands as one of the finest shoegaze albums released in the past few years [Full Review]. Despite possibly being an unknown entity to many fans of Loathe, Slow Crush are an experienced and impressive live group, previously touring in the UK with Gouge Away and making appearances at 2000 trees and Upsurge Festival.
Opening with the brooding track “Blue“, Slow Crush quickly proved they can pull off their ethereal sound exquisitely live. Moving into heavier cuts from debut album Aurora with, “Drift“, the shoegaze unit showed off they can hang with their touring partners when it comes to crushing riffs. The confidence and enjoyment of performing live was also evident, drummer Steve Commaerts looked like a man in his element jamming away at his kit.
Upon the third time I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Slow Crush perform live, this is by far the best I’ve seen them. This isn’t to knock on the previous performances. The combination of being in the excellent venue that is Lafayette and the mix of tracks from Aurora and Hush on the setlist making for an entrancing experience. And with that was to come next, this show as only going to get better.
Loathe (Maximo David)
From the jump, it’s clear that Loathe are not your typical metalcore band. Anyone like myself who has managed to catch them live before knows the deal. Approaching the stage donning outfits that would be more appropriate for a jazz bar (or a funeral) than a metal gig, the uninitiated truly would not know what ridiculous brutality lay before them at a cursory glance. That swiftly changes, however, as after a quick intro with “Theme”, the band break out into their two early-album ragers – “Aggressive Evolution” and “Broken Vision Rhythm”. Perfectly encapsulating and translating the energy these tracks had on the album itself into a live setting, these two main opening numbers set the scene for what’s to come.
Percussive brutality, masterfully contrasted by moments of atmospheric and melodic brilliance is how I’d describe Loathe’s sound, and their unique stage presence only elevates those elements tenfold. Seeing lead vocalist Kadeem France dance about on stage, grooving along and swaying to the rhythm of some of the bounciest riffs metal has to offer, all in between laying down his uniquely piercing screams and gorgeous clean vocals, is an absolute treat. All of this, alongside the variety and strength in his performance, across downright violent tracks like “Gored”, juxtaposed by the serene beauty of tracks like “Is It Really You?” demonstrate why France is one of the most talented and engaging frontmen in the scene right now.
Further, guitarist/co-vocalist Erik Bickerstaffe, decked out to the nines in a suave suit, also brings the energy. Stank-facing and dancing about the place like France, all the while laying down that aforementioned groove-laden guitar work. He fills the archetypal ‘rockstar’ role on stage well, too – playfully using his instrument to hit notes on his keyboard; kicking his guitar too, to serve the closing moments of the already-chaotic “Heavy Is The Head…” by building an oppressive layer of noise. There is nothing that screams ‘rockstar’ more though, than all of these moments culminating in him absolutely decimating his Jazzmaster at the end of closing encore number “It’s Yours”. Smashing your guitar is undoubtedly classic rockstar move, and one that perfectly capped off a set of what are sure to go down and true modern classics.
With what I assume will be Loathe’s last show in the I Let It In… album cycle, they could not have closed out the tour, and the year in general, in a more climactic way. Those familiar with the album will know just how special it is, and witnessing the whole thing live end-to-end was an experience I will never forget. For their studio work alone, Loathe have proven to be one of the best bands in the UK, and their stellar live performances only elevate the absolutely breathtaking music they write.