“No martyrs, no casualties. Only necessary death.“
On paper, the combination of New Jersey’s END alongside England’s own Pupil Slicer and Heriot turns to immediate thoughts of it being a hard hitting affair. Each unit offering up their own visceral sound that is an assault on the senses. Especially in the cozy confines in one of London’s beloved venues, the Boston Music Room up in Tufnell Park. With this being END’s first show in the UK and visiting us upon a bank holiday weekend, it looked like an ideal situation for it to be an absolute corker of a show.
Hot off the release of their debut EP, Profound Morality, Heriot kicked off the evening. With Profound Morality and their wider discography being difficult to fault, the quartet elevate their music with a graceful brutality in a live setting. The sheer wall of noise that is offered up is unparalleled by any other live band in the UK, anyone present in the venue who somehow by now hadn’t heard of Heriot would have had their ears hooked to the onslaught of sound that was present on stage. Alman’s and Gough’s live performance on guitar was something to behold, it’s no secret that bands can shy away from performing their more technical and challenging to play songs live. Neither held back with their impressive swirling solos and savage riffs that are a staple of Heriot’s sound. This alongside Gage’s merciless drumming and Packer’s huge vocals accompanied by Gough’s widely ranged vocals, Heriot really are showing the signs of something special.
Both recently touring with Rolo Tomassi, Pupil Slicer once again partner Heriot on a live show. With their debut full-length Mirrors and recently released stellar track, “Thermal Runaway“, presenting an unforgiving sound it was the ideal follow up. There is a somewhat hypnotic frenzy to seeing Pupil Slicer live that is difficult not to begin to be entranced by. Vocalist Katie Davies leads the charge on stage, even at times marching into the bit to perform some of Slicer’s utterly insane guitar riffs. A quick look to the left saw bassist Fabian showing off with some slap bass and all that at times was difficult to take your eyes off.
Sometimes described as a “supergroup“, fronted by well-known Twitter shitposter and Counterparts vocalist, Brendan Murphy. It’s little surprise that END sold out the Boston Music Room and the venue being packed to the rafters. Alongside the smell of spilt beer, the gig equivalent of “big fight feel” was present in the air. Opening with “Fear For Me Now” and “Pariah“, the New Jersey + Canadian unit chose the perfect songs to loosen the crowd up. By the time third track “Love Let Me Die” entered the foray, the bodies truly began to start flying and move all over the gaff. Reaching a fever pitch on the latter half of the set, it could be possible to describe an absolute brawl taking place. Stage divers upon stage divers and a pit resembling the absolute barbarous sound END have. There can be a formality to gigs when it comes to the movement of the crowd, pit at the point, two step here etc. With END and their relentless sound, the chaos took a life of its own. Stage side security somewhat taken back and ultimately finding humour in the stage diving, with supporting Heriot and Slicer stage side too unable to take their eyes off the carnage unfolding.
Besides being a show that will leave those lucky enough to attend to bruised and battered, there are two points to take away from the END show. Firstly being that London has become a hotbed for live shows post-lockdown, with END being one of the many shows that has sold out in the nation’s capital. Recent months have seen the likes of Static Dress, ThisCityIsOurs, Sleep Token and Spiritbox (two nights) sell out their respective venues. This alongside the fans present turning up when it comes to moving a room and it is arguable that London is now the leading city for live shows in the UK. Secondly, with the sheer talent displayed by the two UK-based bands on support, it is only a matter of time before Heriot and Pupil Slicer run their own headliners with such a hot crowd. Both have proved that they can put on an incredible live performance that more than matched their hosting headliner, and it should now be up to the “scene” to ensure that the same energy present for END is given to both these bands when they embark on their own headliners.
You can read our review of Profound Morality here, and our recent feature on Heriot here.