Midnight w/ Cyclone, High Command, and Vacuous – LIVE
Midnight, Cyclone, High Command, Vacuous
New Cross Inn, London
18/04/2024
Live Review and Photography by Chris Galea
Midnight’s previous gig at the New Cross Inn was memorable for the band’s ferocious energy which combined with wild crowd antics for a devastating effect. So perhaps it’s no surprise that the band opted to visit the same London venue during their current European tour. The other bands on this bill each have their own distinct Metal sub-genre, all three united by a defiant and care-free attitude.
Vacuous
Despite being the first on stage, Vacuous played to a healthily-sized and energetic crowd. The band plays brutal Death Metal with occasional moments of Doom Death Metal to keep the music interesting. It took a few songs for me to start warming to the band but eventually I developed a liking to the band’s style. It’s one with some great dual guitar work, several changes of pace and a merciless aural aggression.
https://www.facebook.com/vacuousdeath
High Command
Straight away High Command sounded just like my cup of tea. Indeed on hearing a music style that harks back to classic Thrash bands such as Nuclear Assault, S.O.D. or even Onslaught, I struggled to keep myself from headbanging or playing air guitar when taking photos and writing notes. All in all High Command gave a fun show and were a welcome discovery for me.
https://www.facebook.com/HighCommand
Cyclone
In the mid-1980s Cyclone were Belgium’s most notable Thrash Metal export and to my knowledge tonight’s gig formed part of the band’s first European tour in decades. As Cyclone delivered a selection of songs from their 2 albums, the crowd responded with a frenetic level of headbanging, moshpits and circle pits.
Speaking of the crowd, I’m sure there were fans who heard Cyclone for the first time but from what I saw, I’m just as certain there also were Metalheads who knew every single number that the band played. This is amazing considering their lengthy absence from the scene. Vocalist Guido Gevels and guitarist Stefan Daamen are all that remain from the early line-up but even with the younger recruits the band still felt like a bone-fide 1980s behemoth.
At the end of their show it was as if a cyclone had passed over the New Cross Inn. Cyclone by name, cyclone by nature.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063577267482
Midnight
Even after Cyclone’s show, Midnight still managed to blitz the packed venue to shreds. With their heady mix of Punk, Black Metal and Thrash, the trio (Athenar, Vanik and Iron Possessor) cruised from one number to the other, giving particular attention to their recent “Hellish Expectations” album. Midnight’s showmanship reflected the band’s determination to wrench every drop of energy from the crowd.
“Hellish Expectations” is a great album and one which I recommend but this is a band that’s in its element when performing live.
https://www.facebook.com/midnightviolators
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Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Chris Galea and Ever Metal. Photography the property of Chris Galea. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
