Watain
Camden Underworld, London
27 September 2010

Despite the ridiculously early doors for tonight’s gig, there is still a healthy crowd for Otargos and their Gallic brand of dense black metal; they might only be on stage for a mere 25 minutes, but they do a good job of making their mark and distinguishing themselves as something above the ordinary and mundane.

The same cannot be said of Deströyer 666, who for the best part of an hour absolutely bore me to death; the band trundle through a dull, lifeless, monotonous set of the most tepid nonsense in this hemisphere. They might well draw material from across their sixteen year history, but it makes little difference to the horror that unfolds before me.

Watain’s stage set up is something to behold, yet also elicits a little chuckle at the silliness of it all; crammed onto the tiny Underworld stage between a full drum kit and four stacks of amps are ceremonial candles and a mini altar complete with fake ram’s skull, incense and enough candles to give any health and safety officer a heart attack. Alongside this fanciful regalia, Watain appear a mite jaded and are in fact a little disappointing; they rattle through an energetic set with much gusto, but ultimately it is all a bit tired, the same old black metal that has been spewing forth from Scandinavia for the best part of two decades now. Yes, Watain are good, but they could almost be a Mayhem or Emperor covers band for the lack of difference on show, no matter how much rancid blood or smelly wax they throw about.

Review by Dominic Hemy