It has only been a month since Black Lakes took the Sunday morning slot at Bloodstock Festival and went toe to toe with Raised By Owls. A lot has happened since then, and the promotional side of the band has been in full swing as they cantered towards their new album release and, with it, a launch party.
Black Lakes – Dead Gods Album Launch Party
The Exchange, Bristol – 6 September 2024
Words And Photography: Paul Hutchings
For a Welsh band, taking the chance to throw a launch in an English city on a Friday night was a huge risk. VIP tickets were thrown into the basket, and with it, the chance to catch a few songs in soundcheck, time to grab an autograph and listen to three members of the band do a short acoustic set.
The gamble paid off with a triumphant night of exhilaration and no little relief. Despite the torrential rain, over 150 fans made their way and experienced an evening that was a little unique in many ways.
Having seen the crowd grow as Valhalla Awaits did their stuff, it’s a comfortable but still pleasingly full Exchange that greets the arrival of Black Lakes. This is an evening of triumph, relief, and recognition that the next step in their journey is complete.
With the album having been sent out a day or so prior to the event and with the streaming services also making Dead Gods available on the day, many in the audience are already word-perfect with the new material.
It’s a frenetic opening with Burn and Avarice getting the vocal cords warmed up, and the band ease into a set that combines most of both albums. The new stuff sounds great, the band sound confident, and it’s a majestic performance. Smiles soon appear on stage, although I am not convinced that some of Black Lakes ever smile.
The stage at the Exchange is not the biggest, and for a band who like to move around, there are some constraints. Having seen them own The Sophie Stage at Bloodstock, it is slightly a struggle to see them a little more caged. However, that does not distract in one bit from the performance, with Will Preston growing in confidence as the show progresses. 
By the time we hit the bounce of Hurricane this is truly a celebration, arms in the air and singalong time, and everyone is beaming. Even the brooding title track cannot bring down the atmosphere, and with a double delight in Verity In Flames and Dissident to conclude the evening, it is fair to say that Black Lakes are now well placed to kick on and take the next steps to higher recognition.
It is well deserved, and an evening of great joy is concluded with even more cheers.
Valhalla Awaits
They have opened for Dan Byrne and Phil Campbell And The Bastards Sons in recent months, but the time is surely near when Valhalla Awaits should be considered for headline shows at venues of this size. They certainly have the songs, and in their 40+ minute set the band show those who are new to them exactly why. 
They are short a guitarist this evening, with Rhys Carter not well enough to play, which puts a little pressure on Chris Green. Not that you would know it, for the man with the rock star pose puts in a commanding performance with some high-octane solo work, as well as holding the middle ground when needed.
Andrew Hunt remains a mass of curls, and the challenge for me as ‘tog is to catch a shot of his face! But Hunt’s rich vocals once again take the attention, drawing the gaze whilst Sam Kilby and Gareth Lawrence are content to hold the bottom line, keeping things steady.
We get a mix of songs, including several from the excellent recent Perdition EP. The mix of new and older songs works well, Valhalla Awaits impress once more and add plenty to an evening of high excitement.
