The Metal Saloon: Absolva, Triaxis, Donkerkarnuffel & Hekz @ The London Underworld Gig Review

It was Friday 9th November and tonight, four great bands hit the stage at the London Underworld; Hekz, Donkerkarnuffel, Triaxis and Absolva.

It was a typical Friday night in Camden Town. Busy people painted the streets, a familiar buzzing atmosphere filled the air and dazzling street lights blurred my vision against the cold dark canvas of the night.

Hekz opened up this evening, playing a slightly longer set than usual but easily done for an experimental, prog-metal band sounding much like Dream Theatre. The singer had a deep, booming, operatic like voice with much potential- impressive for someone of his stature. Their 5 song, 45 minute set followed with: Vendetta, Hashashiyyin, Poison Pen, Darkness Visible and Pound of Flesh.

Donkerkarnuffel were next up to abuse the stage and joining them this very evening was the newly recruited beast of a Mancunian base player, Simon Robertshaw. I didn't know what to expect at first from this classical violinist (who plays for the BBC) to perform tonight in a death metal, clown core band, but this night I saw a completely difference side to him. The performance was Brutal, energetic and he was the perfect addition to Donkerkarnuffel, this base player is here to stay.

Donkerkarnuffel have come a long way since I saw them last just 2 years ago, their performance is tighter than ever and more brutal sounding than I remember. I can say that this is the best performance I have seen of them yet, and the most enjoyable. Their stage attire and make up is played out, down to a 'T' in the theme of 'Zombie Clowns' during an Apocalypse, to add to the theme, each band member has a nick name after members of a Zombie Circus. With the added performance of Chris Holmes' menacing growl, Jamie Blood's side splitting shreds and Skeat's patronising clown horn, Donkerkarnuffel played a brilliant set, and it is obvious, this band is destined for bigger things!

Their set list tonight consisted of:

Blood for Donko

Funland

The greatest show on earth

Fire walk with me

Divinus Infernus

Zombie Clown Apocalypse.

Despite the large crowd demanding for an encore, Donkerkarnuffel disappointingly had no more time left. The stage once again filled with an unusual loud, emanating silence, the kind of anticipated silence you would hear in a packed out underworld, filled with laughing, booming sweaty metal heads, waiting for the next band to fill the stage with energy and presence.

Triaxis filled fulfilled that presence very well and were very enjoyable to watch and listen to. The female singer, had a powerful melodic voice that was heard clearly on top of the guitars. The fact that they had a female guitarist and vocalist was also pretty awesome and added to the look and feel of the band.

Their set list of tonight:

Sand and Silver

Under Blood red skies

Gates of Damnation

Skar Point

Lie

Black trinity

After Triaxis' set, all fell silent and dark again until the deep graduation of rising strings played out in a sci-fi alien theme, signalled to us that the long awaited and anticipated Absolva were ready for tonight’s performance. Introducing the set with the title song of the Album ‘Flames of Justice’ Absolva went straight into ‘Hundred Years’ and then ‘Code Red’. (Check out 'Code Red' music video here:

The rest of the set as follows:

It is what it is

Free

From Beyond The Light

Only when it’s over

Love to hate

Martin's Drum solo

Breathe

Empires

Dan’s powerful and crunching base lines came across prominent throughout the set; and along side Martin’s drums, set the perfect foundation for the overlay of fast melodic dual guitar solos from Tom and Chris along with the lyrical genius and extensive vocal range of the frontman, Chris Appleton. Absolva always play a tight performance, and in the brief time they have been together, they are already ready to take on main stage at open air festivals around UK and Europe.

Look out for Donkerkarnuffel tour dates, to be announced

And as for Absolva, the ‘Flames of Justice' tour continues throughout the Uk and Europe with Belgium, Germany and Ireland yet to be blessed by their presence.

Donkerkarnuffel