LIVE REVIEW: Cirith Ungol @ The Underworld, London

Tonight, The Underworld hosts a tear-jerking event: the final live UK show of heavy/doom metal warriors CIRITH UNGOL. Formed in 1971, this quartet was one of the first American traditional metal adherents to introduce this British-inspired sub-genre to the country. The 1980s witnessed them unveil three later-day influential albums, but due to metal diversifying and the gargantuan takeover of glam metal, their nostalgic 70s sound didn’t secure full recognition. Like many trad metal bands, they threw in the towel in the 90s. However, they reunited for the Keep It True Festival in 2015, remained together, toured and released new music. Now, they’re touring the world for a final time; the band states that they’re getting older and health issues prevent them from continually stepping on stage. This farewell was initially scheduled to take place at the O2 Academy but was downsized to The Underworld.

Supporting act NIGHT DEMON is no stranger to CIRITH UNGOL fanatics. Jarvis Leatherby is the headliner’s bassist and Armand John Anthony provides a live guitar. Formed in 2011, when the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal revivalist movement surged, these Californians racked up positive acclaim and secured a record deal with Century Media. While the 500-capacity venue isn’t sold out, it’s close to it. The hall is thickly congested with sweaty bodies, and getting a decent view of the stage is challenging. It’s clear that the promoter shouldn’t have moved the show at all. Like many heavy metal revival bands, NIGHT DEMON isn’t reinventing the wheel. Their rose-tinted 80s observations knowingly nod towards NWOBHM titans, including ANGEL WITCH, DIAMOND HEAD and TANK.

The four piece’s energy is drastically limited by the compact stage and the room temperature takes its toll on the audience’s energy. However, there is a crowdsurfer who defies The Underworld’s multiple signs forbidding the act. The punters are certainly enjoying it though; their applause is rapturous and there are quite a few people indulging themselves and singing along to the choruses. The venue’s sound honours the music well but the novelty of their music fades as the set goes on. Vocalist Leatherby’s vocals sound more like the amateur sung shouts from a pop-punk band and less like the accomplished singing prominent in heavy metal. This is jarring and certainly distracts from the music. With so many more bands faithfully following the retro heavy metal trend, NIGHT DEMON feels less relevant.

Rating: 7/10

CIRITH UNGOL ignites their set with the same opener from their most beloved full-length King Of The Dead album, Atom Smasher. This courageous and lively song electrocutes the crowd into raucous cheers and celebration. Driving doom-laden guitars, memorable solos and vocalist Tim Baker’s signature croon dominate the venue with fantasy-powered heavy metal. Despite being a man in his 60s, he commands a classically cool stage presence, decked in reflective shades with a zestful stage presence and powerful voice.

NIGHT DEMON’s Leatherby and Anthony fill out CIRITH UNGOL’s ranks commendably and with headbanging gusto – unsurprising when you consider Leatherby was a primary player in encouraging the heavy metal veterans to reunite. Naturally, the setlist mostly boasts highly anticipated favourites from their younger days, as well as two tracks of reunion material. Hearing the likes of I’m Alive, Chaos Descends, Frost And Fire, Black Machine, Master Of The Pit and Forever Black are all epic thrills that elate the fans. Another crowdsurfer floats through the venue too. As with NIGHT DEMON, the headliners’ sound is powerful and lucid, a fine way to send of these legends.

After a rendition of Down Below from the Dark Parade album, CIRITH UNGOL leave the stage. The suddenness of their evacuation ensures there’ll be another encore. While some people leave (either due to last trains or heat exhaustion) the overwhelming majority stay and are treated to Join The Legion, from Paradise Lost. The final note is drawn out with seemingly never-ending drumrolls, and there’s a mournful bittersweet atmosphere. Sure, CIRITH UNGOL delivered a brilliant concert, but it’ll be the last one on these shores. This mega show was a testament to their importance, a magnificent act unrecognised in their prime but deservedly appreciated decades later.

Rating: 9/10

Check out our photo gallery of the night’s action in London from Anne Pfalzgraf here: 

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