Three savages are better than one: Catch Your Breath, Until I Wake, and Of Virtue poured heart, soul and furious hard rock spirit into their sets at The O2 Academy Islington. Moments of chaos were injected with pockets of introspection, forming a concert experience that fans will not forget anytime soon.
Catch Your Breath – Until I Wake – Of Virtue
O2 Academy Islington – 12 April 2025
Words: Carol Giannattasio
Photography: Antonio Giannattasio
Catch Your Breath
Catch Your Breath are the definition of a band that know what they want and work hard to get it. After playing several massive festivals, including Sonic Temple and Welcome to Rockville, and sharing the stage with Alternative Metal giants Falling in Reverse, Ice Nine Kills and Breaking Benjamin, Catch Your Breath is finally stepping into the spotlight as headliners for their UK and European tour.
The Savages Tour has already rocked Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham; tonight, it was London’s turn to scream every Catch Your Breath lyric like there was no tomorrow.
The O2 Academy Islington was packed with fans who were fired up after sets from Of Virtue and Until I Wake. But as soon as Ghost Inside The Shell kicked in, Catch Your Breath made it clear that this was their show. The sound was sharp, the delivery was tight, and the energy? Unmatched.
Frontman Josh Mowery owned the stage with his magnetic presence, constantly connecting with the crowd. The venue erupted during Savages and Dial Tone, the latter made even more special by a guest appearance from Until I Wake’s guitarist Niko Karras. That moment felt like the peak of the night as the crowd became one massive chorus.
Catch Your Breath also slowed things down with more introspective tracks like Mirror and No Evil, showing a more emotional, vulnerable side that only deepened their bond with the audience.
One of my personal highlights was 21 Gun Salute, a song I have played on repeat since the album dropped. Hearing it live was powerful, emotional, and overwhelming in the best way. The atmosphere, the lighting, and the crowd all came together in a moment I won’t forget.
Catch Your Breath left the stage to a wave of applause and fans struggling to catch their breath. The band proved tonight that their rise is not a coincidence. They’ve got the sound, the stage presence, and the staying power. This wasn’t just a concert…it was an experience.
Until I Wake
Until I Wake delivered an intense and captivating performance, showing real growth as a band. They have been through their fair share of highs and lows, especially after Cody Jamison stepped away and Jaali Cypher took over as frontman. But even that didn’t throw them off course. A few months ago, Jaali played his final show with the band in Texas and was joined on stage by Cody, officially marking the latter’s return to Until I Wake.
That moment of transition clearly revived something in the band because tonight’s set was packed with fire.
Opening with Catacombs, the band immediately unleashed chaos. The energy was sky-high from the first note, and songs like Octane and Sinking Under pushed the adrenaline further. It wasn’t just noise: it was focused fury, and the crowd fed off it.
Cody proved why he belongs up front as he led the charge with raw power and pulled his bandmates into a tight, thunderous wall of sound. Separate and Inside My Head were collisions of soaring melodies with heavy riffs and crushing breakdowns.
One of the standout moments came when Cody jumped off the stage to get face-to-face with fans. No barriers, no distance, just pure connection. It’s the kind of thing you don’t forget, especially if you were lucky enough to be in the front row.
Until I Wake have the talent, the drive, and, with Cody back, the spark to move forward stronger than ever. What we saw tonight wasn’t just a set. It was a statement.
Of Virtue
Of Virtue kicked off the night with a raw and electrifying performance. There is something fresh yet grounded about this band; they have clearly evolved musically but haven’t lost their connection with the crowd.
This was my first time seeing Of Virtue live, and they were a total revelation. Their set featured heavy hitters like Omen, Sinner, and Cannibals, each delivered with intensity and heart. Frontman Tyler Ennis owned the stage with his vibrant energy and genuine emotion.
Of Virtue dropped a brand new, unreleased track, Goliath, that hit like a tidal wave mid-set and caused the crowd to split down the middle into a modest but wild wall of death. It was easily one of the heaviest songs of the set, complete with crushing riffs and relentless drums. While Tyler encouraged the chaos, he also made sure to remind us: “If someone falls, you pick them up.” That moment really captured the spirit of the scene.
They closed with Cut Me Open, a track that blends aggression and melody in a way that leaves a mark. Of Virtue nailed their opening slot for Catch Your Breath and proved they are more than just a great live band; they are a worthy new addition to your playlist.
