I arrived at the venue tonight, not knowing the kick off times and much to my disappointment, Heriot had already settled in nicely. In my defence I was going by the times for the previous night, and didn’t have time to check any updates. Anyway, I watched from the balcony as Debbie Gough, immersed herself into her hometown show. Not to be outdone by her peers in the world of death growls she and here comrades latched themselves onto the crowd like rabid rottweilers and refused to let go. In the presence of our ‘Siege Lord’ we remain at your service and at your disposal, you say jump, we say how high.
I was ready to leap into the ‘Soul Chasm’ that is how engrossing was their showmanship, with a new album ‘Devoured By The Mouth Of Hell’ to promote, it was the perfect line up.
Agree to meet me ‘At The Fortress Gate’ and we can ‘Mourn’ in unison, for here is the power and the glory that you so wished for.
A most encouraging palate cleanser for the rest of tonight’s menu.
‘Circle pit motherfuckers!’
That was the baton charge from our American cousins Darkest Hour, who had crossed land and sea to participate in tonight’s celebration of all things heavy. Their album ‘Perpetual, Terminal’ is a giant amongst the album releases this year, not scrimping on the melodies or the brutality. Our lives after lockdown have needed a boost to start living again, such a devastating time in our history, compounded by the struggles we already had but
‘in your tears you tried to show blind eyes and tell deaf ears’ it is the reaching out aspect which is so difficult, when you are not heard or seen then the suffering is perpetuated.
The power and the pull of heavy music has its own allure, not appealing to everyone, it can be quite volatile, and aggressive, but that’s just a means of expression. Being shouty and mouthy on stage and an absolute delight to talk to off stage, they really are very special. I can’t explain why but Darkest Hour are a band that I never in my wildest dreams thought I would see live. Seeing them tonight was a huge victory, over what exactly, I have no idea. Finishing their slot with ‘Goddess OF War, Give Me Something To Die For’ they can leave the stage knowing they have prevailed. I was hoping for ‘A Prayer For The Holy Death’ but it was not to be, but you know what they say, for what we are about to receive, may the Lord make us truly thankful.
Azra Pathan
Heriot/Darkest Hour – O2 Institute Birmingham – 27th November 2024