This was a blockbusting night of Thrash Metal from the legendary Xentrix at The Devil’s Dog Digbeth in Birmingham on their 35th Anniversary Tour of Britain.
Xentrix – Tortured Demon – Elyrean
The Devil’s Dog Digbeth, Birmingham – 1 February 2024
Words And Photography: Andy Shaw
Xentrix
The boys from Xentrix were at the venue all night, chatting to fans and really are some of the nicest people you could wish to meet. But once they get on stage, the magic happens.
Touring as part of their 35th Anniversary celebrations, we were fortunate to have one of their stops in Birmingham, and we didn’t realise quite how lucky we were. The first half of the show was Xentrix playing the whole of their 1989 debut album, Shattered Existence, a real seminal album in the British Thrash Metal scene.
Xentrix smashed straight into No Compromise, Balance Of Power, and Crimes. Frontman Jay Walsh was in imperious form, his voice was impeccable and guitar playing was brilliant.
Their form of Thrash Metal had the crowd jumping, and watching men of a certain age do a bit of moshing was brilliant.
They ran through the rest of the album, with the crowd joining in with the chorus to Dark Enemy and Bad Blood. Guitarist Kristian Havard was playing through the pain of a broken wrist, but this didn’t stop him from bringing his A-game.
After finishing Shattered Existence, it was straight into two songs from their latest album, Seven Words in Behind The Walls Of Treachery and Reckless With A Smile. The powerhouse behind the band are Chris Shires, bass and drummer Dennis ‘The Menace’ Gasser.
They shone, especially during For Whose Advantage? and The Alter Of Nothing. Next was the brilliant Everybody Loves You When You’re Dead from Seven Words finishing with Questions.
It was a stunning performance from a legendary band, and long may they continue.
Tortured Demon
Next up were Tortured Demon, a Thrash Metal Band with some Metalcore thrown in for good measure. Hailing from Oldham, this was their first time playing in Birmingham and the crowd were loving every minute of their time on stage.
Their set was mainly made up of songs from their latest album, Rise Of The Lifeless, opening with the title track and then Virtual Death. Brothers Joe and Jacob Parkinson are at the heart of the proceedings, with Jacob being a really dynamic vocalist and guitar player.
Two more new songs followed, Conflict Of Interest and Disfavour, then a couple from their first album, The Invasion and In Desperation’s Grip.
This was an electric performance, and the crowd were really into what was going on on stage. Finishing with Global Threat, then A Knee To The Face Of Corruption, this was a brilliant set.
Elyrean
First up were local boys from Wolverhampton, Elyrean, who, as always, gave a great performance. They are building a big reputation as a powerful Technical Thrash Metal band.
Frontman Will Edwards is growing in confidence with his vocals and stage presence. Running through tracks such as Perpetually Entombed, Omniscient One and Lungs Of Venus, they were in full flow with Daryl Payne on the drums, absolutely smashing it.
The Devil’s Dog crowd loved them, and it was good to see a local band doing really well. They finished with Blackened The Sun, then Where The Shadows Dwell and the night was well and truly up and running.
