On August 9th, an eager crowd of death-metalers descended into Camden’s well-appreciated and less-ventilated, Underworld, to catch Crypta’s debut performance in London. The all-female Brazilian death metal band, celebrating the first anniversary of their sophomore album Shades of Sorrow, delivered a powerful set, unleashing their signature South American brutality as part of their EU/UK Summer tour.
Perpetual Paradox
Kicking off the night was Perpetual Paradox – A London-based deathcore band who proudly claim a diverse range of influences. From the crushing brutality of deathcore legends, Whitechapel, to the precision of classic thrashers, Megadeth; Perpetual Paradox’s sound is a hard-hitting melting pot of aggression and technicality. Their songs were filled with immense groove, vile breakdowns, and solid structures – each of which were greatly appreciated by the crowd who were obliged to bang their heads. Although they were not who the audience originally came for, it was evident by the end of their set that Perpetual Paradox had made an indelible impression. Their raw intensity and relentless hostility truly captivated the crowd and left everyone eager for more.
Phobetor
Phobetor were next to capture the spotlight, and they certainly kept the aggressive momentum going. Taking their name from a Greek mythological daemon, the British blackened four-piece sonically assaulted the crowd with their blend of raw black metal abrasion and grotesque death metal riffs and rhythms. Vocalist, Debora Conserva, was nothing short of commanding. Her harsh vocal style sliced through the dark, crunchy tones of the guitars, adding an extra layer of pure, primal heaviness. The band played a compact collection of their discography, including their most popular song, “Screaming Silence”, which features on their sophomore release, Through Deepest Fears and Darkest Minds. Each song felt like a ritual, with the band expertly shifting between chaotic breakdowns and eerie atmospheres. Their performance truly possessed the crowd, whose bodies moved as they succumbed to the dark and punishing energy of the set.
Crypta
When it was finally time for the well-loved headliners to take the stage, an overwhelming feeling of anticipation filled the room, as the compacted crowd were teased by Crypta’s plethora of stage props being meticulously arranged by their technician. The entire stage was decorated with beautifully crafted sword arrangements and detailed banners that looked like they were taken directly from the cover of Shades Of Sorrow. The atmosphere was perfect, and the stage was set.
It is needless to say that the crowd were mesmerised by the band’s entrance as it was nothing short of theatrical, every movement coordinated and deliberate. Each member of the band truly commanded their own spotlight as they launched into their unforgiving set, filled with the best of their polished discography. Their crushing, ear-melting sound reverberated through the venue, captivating the audience with each distorted riff and every slam of the snare.
The raw power and confidence that exuded from bassist and frontwoman, Fernanda Lira, was truly unmatched. Her warlike roars were extremely articulate and dynamic, and her pure joy on stage was contagious. Additionally, the setlist perfectly displayed the insane amount of skill from guitarists, Jéssica di Falchi and Tainá Bergamaschi, who each played ripping solos and riffs with an immense amount of precision and skill. It would also be a mistake to forget to mention drummer, Luana Dametto, who was the perfect backbone during Crypta’s live performance. Despite the extreme heat and humidity of the Underworld, Luana was able to blast through the technical and brutal drum parts with perfect accuracy and force.
For the band’s debut show in London, their performance felt more like a statement, rather than an introduction. Crypta were truly outstanding, and they are certainly a band that will keep the death metal scene under their control for years to come.