LIVE: Incineration Festival

Incineration Festival
Camden Town, London
03/05/2025
Live Review by Oli Gonzalez

It’s that time of year again to descend upon the nations capital for an offering of Extreme Metal in the nation’s capital. Featuring some of the most hotly anticipated sets of the year and many UK exclusives, it’s no wonder the festival sold out long before doors had opened. Camden Town would utilise 5 venues to host all of this (which created its own unique challenges and opportunities) including the Roundhouse as ‘main stage’. How was it then? Well, to be truthful, very mixed. Some good, bad, and ugly! Some poor planning on my part, some mishaps from the festival organizers themselves.

For instance, my day started at 4am as I ventured into the capital by coach. I was far too grouchy to contend with the human obstacle course that is Camden, as well as the town being baked in 20°C+ heat. Staying in London on the Friday night would have been a better choice. Speaking of choices, is there a genuine better alternative than having one smaller venue (The Underworld) double up as both the point to collect wristbands and a host venue for many of the mid-sized bands on the card? I ask because this led to considerable queues throughout the day and a combination of frustration and confusion. Maybe embracing technology and using a digital E-ticketing system, or simply posting the wristbands out beforehand? Maybe I’m having an old man yells at cloud moment again about this; I promise this will get much better and more positive as we progress. In either case, once said band was around my wrist I could make my way to The Electric Ballroom (EBR) and the festival could begin.

Warbringer

Given their size and prestige, this seemed like a rather interesting choice to open the festival. The opening act is arguably the most important of any show and you have to start off hard. Warbringer did exactly that and within minutes, the already packed out EBR was moving with masses of headbanging and circle pits galore! This was a fantastic way to blow off the festival cobwebs as this was the first for many this year. The energy in the room was palpable and much needed.

https://www.facebook.com/Warbringermusic

Lamp Of Murmuur

Having missed a blistering set of theirs at Fortress Festival last year, it was a chance for redemption. The EBR was still packed out and towards the front people had camped out in order to secure prime viewing spots. A good decision, as it’s clear why this band is so well regarded. Visually, they look the part with their stunning stage attire. They can back it up in a style that crosses many boundaries within Black Metal. There’s a more traditional earlier hint of Thrash inspired Black Metal to appease the older heads. Yet this still feels fresh and progressive enough to make them stand out in a stacked market. Despite the aggression and unapologetic heaviness, there’s more melodic and ambient passages to allow your senses time to reset and escape from the onslaught. I’m glad to have finally had chance to check them out at last. I did duck out early to catch Carnation at The Underworld, which was a huge mistake…

https://www.facebook.com/people/Lamp-Of-Murmuur

Remember how I talked about queuing ? Well it immediately became obvious that with a one in one out policy, I simply wasn’t getting in. This seemed to be a theme throughout the day leading to some frustrations amongst attendees and on social media. Sometimes this happens at festivals, but a late decision to sell none-Roadhouse tickets seemed to only exacerbate this issue. Disappointing, but time to cut my losses and return to the EBR for the next act seemed wiser.

Spectral Wound

Another band who I had had opportunities to see but hadn’t taken them. Another chance at redemption this afternoon. I was lucky to be back inside. Many were sadly unable to get into the EBR which speaks to both the immense popularity of the Canadian Black Metal act and potential overselling from the festival itself. For me though, I got treated to an intense live performance by another immensely popular and well regarded Black Metal act. Being crammed in like a sardine meant there was nothing really visual to comment on, though they sounded incredible and I’m sure ‘Rigid And Spellbound’ will be playing in my mind’s ear for days to come.

https://www.facebook.com/spectralwoundcontramundi

Time for the march up to Roadhouse. A 10 minute walk that took closer to 20 given the sheer quantity of people scattered about the streets, reducing my pace to that of a constipated waddling penguin. The inefficient and needlessly long queues meant missing big chunks of the opening act too. Seriously Incineration, DO BETTER. Open the doors earlier and this could have been solved. Still, the bits I did see of Mur are worth mentioning. 

Mur

Not many would have been sure how to pronounce their name but nobody would be forgetting it in a hurry! A palette cleanser in many ways, given their much slower Post-Metal brand. It was such a pleasure to listen to such a polished and sharp mix, something I didn’t know I needed. A mixture of melody and straight up fiery aggression (I mean that literally with the clever use of pyro) was mature way beyond their younger years. I didn’t think a band appearing to be so small on social media warranted a main stage slot but how wrong I was!

https://www.facebook.com/mur.official.band

Batushka

I make no bones about it; I love Batushka. After years of legal battles, we know officially that this is the REAL and TRUE version, and arguably only version. Spearheaded by Drabikowski, this was a set largely comprised of “Panihida” tracks. On record, this appears to be a little raw and perhaps rough at times, though Drabikowki’s compositional skill still shines. Tonight, the band utilised the venue’s facilities to maximum effect, offering a fully immersive and captivating experience! Everything about this is something you need to see in the flesh; the elaborate stage attires and props and subtle attention to detail make you believe you’re part of some ancient ritual. Musically, I cannot fault them in the slightest. Everything from the visceral intense KVLT shrieks, the thunderous riffs and haunting Gregorian chants made this fully worth venturing to London. 

https://www.facebook.com/truebatushka

Blood Incantation

Perhaps the most hotly anticipated set of the day given the absolutely blistering effort that is “Absolute Elsewhere”, arguably the album of 2024! Being packed in like sardines was sadly inevitable at this stage but you accept it for an occasion like this. Now, I thought this was going to be good, but not THIS good! Featuring an entire live playthrough of “Absolute Elsewhere” allowed you to appreciate this masterpiece ever more. Everything from the crushing Death Metal brutality to the mind-altering psychedelic and progressive passages were fully enhanced and the absolute best of each were optimised for full effect. I didn’t expect a pit to break out but equally I’m not surprised when it did. It got a little bit feral at times! I’m sure demand will be higher than ever for a return to the UK for this set in what represents a major coup for Incineration.

https://www.facebook.com/BloodIncantationOfficial

Time for a bit of a timeout. Decapitated were starting immediately after Blood Incantation. It made no sense to even try and get to see a fraction of their set, so camping out in the outdoor balcony area for some much needed fresh air, a sit down, and some glorious pizza seemed a much better idea. After all, we needed the energy for the headline act…

Triptykon (Celtic Frost set)

As far as legacy sets though, they don’t come much more prestigious than this. Tom ‘Warrior’ Fischer’s impact on the world of Metal in his various projects cannot be understated. He spoke of how this night marked exactly 39 years since Celtic Frost’s very first show in London, a testament to longevity and robustness. It seemed like a surreal occasion to hear some of those songs that were played all those years ago. It was clear that many in the audience understood the prestige of this as many could be seen bellowing along to Celtic Frost classics, which were delivered with absolute venom in a solid and flawless live mix. For me, it was more of an opportunity to see a legacy act and tick the box. I could fully appreciate this set however and understand why they are such a fearsome presence. Maybe I’m just too young to have that emotional connection. 

https://www.facebook.com/triptykonofficial

Some closing thoughts. This day really came in two halves; the clusterfuck in the beginning and the far superior experience in the latter part of the day. Which makes me think all of the issues of overcrowding at the beginning could have been solved if the Roundhouse was simply opened earlier and giving temporary refuge for thousands of metalheads crammed into Camden Town. Would I attend again? If the line up’s good enough then certainly. I would seriously have to examine the lineup and stage splits though as you’re simply not able to lilypad between stages like you could at other festivals. Also, the use (or misuse) of The Roundhouse may well affect this. 

https://www.facebook.com/incinerationfestival

Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Oli Gonzalez, and Ever Metal. 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.