LIVE REVIEW: While She Sleeps @ The Underworld, London
Two of the UK’s finest metalcore bands (WHILE SHE SLEEPS & LOATHE) taking to the stage together in some of the smallest, most intimate venues in the country; from the outset it was obvious anyone who secured a ticket would be in for a very special night. Tonight’s show is in the sweatbox of Camden’s The Underworld and promises to deliver on its reputation alongside an unforgettable night – so we made sure to be there.
From the moment LOATHE take to the stage, it’s carnage – the crowd moves as one, surging forwards as pits open. Their blend of savagery and serenity leans heavily towards the former tonight and vocalist Kadeem France stalks what little stage there is. Aggressive Evolution is all jagged edges and furious screams before the chorus threatens to take the roof off and bulldoze its way into the pub above. The DEFTONES-esque Two Way Mirror should be transcendent and for the most part it’s great but there’s occasional moments where vocals are lost in the swirling guitars. An occasionally murky mix prevents their jagged edges from being as sharp as they could, though that doesn’t bother anyone. They’re a band on top form tonight and it’s a storming showcase that they’ve got the creativity, determination and a larger than life stage presence to take them far.
Rating: 8/10
Of course tonight’s headliners WHILE SHE SLEEPS get nothing sort of a hero’s welcome from the sold-out crowd. The pit kicks off before the guitars enter for opener Sleeps Society and the energy is nonstop from there. Loz invites the crowd to join him on stage, declaring it’s as much theirs as the band’s and naturally, that’s taken literally. Within seconds of Anti-Social there’s crowdsurfers and stage divers while Brainwashed caps off an incendiary opening trifecta, Loz making his way overhead as the song concludes to chants of “Yorkshire! Yorkshire!”. There’s frequent technical difficulties but it doesn’t faze them and they persevere, cracking jokes and pushing through regardless.
WHILE SHE SLEEPS‘ discography contains more than a few ragers and they make use of them tonight, from You Are We to a barnstorming rendition of Systematic to close, during which the crowd are encouraged to get down before the mosh call sends the place wild. Nervous doesn’t need guest Simon Neil as the crowd sing back every word of his part. While it’s a slower number the set loses no momentum at all thanks to the electrifying presence of the band and the crowd’s sheer enthusiasm and adoration. To call tonight a triumph somehow wouldn’t do it justice; Loz declaring “we’ve waited so long to feel this energy again” and constantly beaming from the stage on the rare occasion he’s not in the crowd hammers home just how much they’ve missed this – how much we’ve all missed this. There’s a connection between band and fans that transcends barriers and tonight, it’s abundantly clear why WHILE SHE SLEEPS are so revered by their fans and have such a devoted following.
As the lights come up and the sweaty masses filter out into the cool air of a Camden evening, there’s a sense of shared catharsis and homecoming that only live music can bring. From the beaming faces and excited chatter, there’s a sense of camaraderie and community – may we never lose this again.
Rating: 10/10
Check out our photo gallery of the night’s action in London from Karolina Janikunaite here:
