Vader returned to the Camden Underworld for their 40th-Anniversary tour with special support from Skaphos, Aetherian, and Vomitory.
Vader – Vomitory – Aetherian – Skaphos
The Underworld, Camden – 8 October 2023
Words and Photography: Razorrhead Productions
Formed in 1983, Vader originally started as a Heavy Metal act, then moved up to Thrash Metal and finally settled down to their own unique style of Death Metal. After a number of shows and demos, it took them almost ten years for them to release their first proper album here in England and since they have had a heavy arsenal of albums for anyone to sink their teeth into.
Tonight, they begin the show with a healthy list of heaviness with such tracks as Decapitated Saints, The Wrath, and Chaos. For these, vocalist Piotr Wiwczarek gives a brief background of the band, like a history lesson, before kicking into the next song from that era.
There is no shortage of energy here as the crowd becomes restless as the night goes on, sweaty bodies smashing into each other in the moshpit as Piotr’s vocals roar throughout the whole venue. His guitar solos are often joined by their other guitarist, Marek Pająk, both taking turns on leads that include full-speed shredding, chaotic dive bombs and high-pitched squeals played effortlessly by both members. You can tell how long they have been doing this with how well they played.
The blast beats by Michał Andrzejczyk and heavy bass tones by Tomasz Halicki provide an all round, heavy tone that makes sure the guitar leads don’t sound too thin and provide an overall chaotic sound. The sound quality in the venue, despite its size, is fantastic. The low growls and vocals can be heard easily with all the other things that are going on.
They kick into other songs such as Wings, Cold Demons, Epitaph, This Is War. Each song is just as aggressive as the other but also unique in its own style. This is impressive, meaning the show does not end up sounding like a complete drone of repetitive music.
They end the show with Triumph Of Death and Shock And Awe. Tonight was yet another excellent show for Camden’s Underworld. The crowd left exhausted and beaten but still wanting more from the band.
Fans left just as enthusiastic as when they first entered the venue. The venue was left smelling of beer and sweat, a good sign to show that Vader has once again conquered The Underworld.
Vomitory
Classic favourites Vomitory are a Swedish Death Metal band which formed back in 1989. They quickly rose to fame in the Death Metal scene with their first release, Raped In Their Own Blood. After a couple of more releases and hiatuses, this legendary act is back with their first major release in 13 years, All Heads Are Gona Roll.
Vomitory goes in extra hard with their open track from the new album and are then straight into Stray Bullet Kill. Their ever-famous Terrorize, Brutalize, Sodomize has the crowd chanting the words with Erik’s vocals.
At this point, the Underworld becomes a warzone, leaving no audience member safe from the ensuring moshpits that this band are able to provide. They feature other songs such as Ode To The Meat Saw, Redemption, Raped, Strangled, Sodomizded, Dead, and finally finishing with Chaos Fury.
This a fine welcome back to such a classic Death Metal act that had been on hiatus for far too long. This time, it looks like they were here to stay for a good while.
Aetherian
Aetherian are considered to be a melodic Death Metal band. From Athens, Greece, they formed in 2013, and after releasing their first EP, they were quickly signed to Goressimo Records and began touring around Greece. They managed to find a fair bit of success by doing more shows around Europe and featuring in a number of Metal magazines.
Traditionally, the band kicks off hard and heavy with intense blast beats, face-ripping guitar solos accompanied by smooth, fast-paced rhythms and deep, low growls.
Tonight, you could feel the bass of Panos’ vocals. He does well to keep the audience engaged as he gets up and personal with them at several points in the show.
Skaphos
The first support act was Skaphos, a Metal band that began in 2018 and originated in France. They combine a healthy dose of Black and Death Metal in a dark, atmospheric, gloomy performance. Dark figures covered in corpse paint rise on the stage along with their thorny satanic mic stands.
They kick the show off with Black Metal-style screams accompanied by low-cut growls, super-fast picking riffs and your typical blast beats that help keep the band in pace with each other. The stage is so dark that you can only really see silhouettes of the band, but it adds so much to the atmosphere of what Black Metal is.
There are some serious Gorogorth, Burzum, and Mayhem influences here. This was a freshening start to the show that allowed this band to stand out among traditional Death Metal.
Skaphos are a band worth checking out that has already had previous touring experiences with major bands such as Marduk and Belphegor.
