LIVE REVIEW: MØL @ The Underworld, London
Few things put the 9-to-5 person through the wringer of joy and sorrow like the gift of a three-day weekend and the realisation that normality is about to resume imminently. It seems fitting then, that in the last hours of the recent Bank Holiday Monday, a packed crowd at The Underworld is about to play host to the euphoric highs and devastating lows of Denmark’s premier blackgaze band MØL.
The first act of the evening are London-based multinational black metal/hardcore outfit CALLIGRAM, and they waste no time on pleasantries. A full-on sonic assault of lightning speed tremolo guitars, whirlwind blast beats and muscular hardcore riffs sweeps up the venue. Regrettably, The Underworld appears to not be set up to cope with it well. Whether by design or accident, the mix completely swallows up the melodic dimension of the songs, and reduces them to a flat rubble of cacophony and loud fuzz. While the sound fidelity is lacking, CALLIGRAM’s show has no shortage of intensity. Within minutes of the start, singer Matteo Rizzardo has thrown himself on the ground among the crowd, straining every sinew with the effort of belting his infernal shrieks, later underlining that by forgoing the microphone altogether or simply banging his head against a bandmate’s knee. The raw brutality of their stage act carries them through despite sound issues, and leaves us with the promise that on another occasion CALLIGRAM will be a fierce live proposition.
Rating: 6/10
Second support act COUNTLESS SKIES are clearly a band on the up, judging by the high presence of their t-shirts amongst the crowd. The Hertfordshire quartet offer up a dynamic and upbeat brand of metal that straddles the space between melodeath and expansive prog. Virtuosic performances abound from, among others, lead guitarist James Pratt and touring cellist Arianna Mahsayeh who finds plenty of space to shine in the songs, but perhaps their biggest secret weapon are the sparingly used clean vocals of bassist Phil Romeo. Remarkably reminiscent of DEVIN TOWNSEND in the operatic vocal delivery, impressive range, as well as his charismatic presence, he places the cherry on top of their already fantastic compositions. A clear highlight among them is the grandiose Glow from their album of the same name. Inviting associations with the likes of INSOMNIUM, OPETH and DREAM THEATER, the collective wear their influences on their sleeve, but concoct something remarkable and purely additive from them. The result is an electrifying set in which their musicianship and stage chemistry comes through. Huge smiles adorn the faces of both musicians and the gathered crowd, and mark out COUNTLESS SKIES‘s show as a joyous occasion.
Rating: 9/10
The major-scale opening of Fraktur heralds the emotionally charged treat we have in store for Denmark’s MØL – a blend of glistening beauty and ferocious raw energy, engaged in a constant hypnotic dance. The Aarhus collective have quickly and firmly established themselves as one of the most exciting proponents of the blackgaze sub-genre through the likes of 2018’s Jord and 2021’s Diorama, placing emphasis on intensity in both sonics and feeling. Vakuum engulfs with rapid waves of heavy metal riffs, before a triumphant crescendo rises like a tsunami, while Vestige lands like post-hardcore with radio-worthy hooks. Frontman Kim Song Sternkopf emanates charisma with a look of menace and animated dance moves, adding even more punch to the wall of sound that the Danes hit with.
Despite the dream-like quality that is characteristic to some blackened shoegaze, there is no slack to MØL’s playing. Drummer Ken Klejs is metronomic and merciless in his percussive attack, while the riffs of the two guitars cut like razors. It is a testament to their immaculate blend of styles that they can sound like each of METALLICA, MY BLOODY VALENTINE and MAYHEM within the space of a single minute, and still sound cohesive. Sternkopf’s high shriek contrasts with his deep speaking voice when he takes a moment to admire the crowd and talk up the healing power of music, and it’s unlikely that anyone standing before him hasn’t felt at least a bit of emotional catharsis within their headline set. After insistent calls for an encore, the frontman stagedives into the crowd and spends the old-school closer Sundrowned amongst the crowd, rounding off an ecstatic, exultant performance by MØL.
Rating: 9/10
Check out our photo gallery of the night’s action in London from Sarah Tsang here:
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