Live Review: LOVEBITES at The O2 Academy, Islington, London (21/11/18)

My first experience with LOVEBITES came at Bloodstock 2018. They were moved at short notice from the Sophie Stage to the main stage and I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Happily to catch their full set. It was good if not just lacking a little something to take the power/thrash metal band over the edge to greatness.

It’s not that their music is lacking as you can see from our review of their latest EP, Battle Against Damnation here, we really like it. Well, after seeing them live in London it’s official, we’re on the LOVEBITES train.

There are many who might dismiss LOVEBITES based on image alone. Five young Japanese women in white dresses doesn’t scream heavy metal. However, most who made that presumption are proud to admit that they were wrong. LOVEBITES can play. They absolutely crush it and in London on the 21st November they proved it.

The O2 Islington Academy isn’t exactly heaving but it’s still pretty packed out with hardcore fans. The cheers and shouts for the band have started way before the lights even dim. Then when they do the place erupts.

This is a band with a real future. A band that take to the stage and play with a confidence that suggests they’ve been around way longer then 2016. They look so comfortable there and vocalist Asami has the crowd eating out of the palm of her hand.

While she is often the focus, it’s hard to not pull your eyes away from Midori and Miyako on guitars who absolutely kill it. The power they exude is infectious and the sound heavy enough to leave everyone feeling that little bit deafer when they leave.

Funny enough it’s two tracks from the most recent release that gets the hottest reception. Both Above the Black Sea and Under the Red Sky sound incredible. The head-banging on stage is matched by the sea of hair from the adoring fan-base.

It’s not the longest set but time absolutely files by. Anyone like myself who was on the fence has been completely knocked off it. LOVEBITES rock and this was one of the best gigs of the year. Roll on the new album in December.