Live Review: Hundred Year Old Man With Armed for Apocalypse & Novere At The Boston Music Room, London (08/07/23)

Iron Maiden are playing their second night at The O2 Arena, Bruce Springsteen is over at Hyde Park, but the place to be is the Boston Music Room in Tufnell Park. Hundred Year Old Man are in town and they’ve brought the mighty Armed for Apocalypse along for the ride.

We’re not quite there in time to see Row of Ashes but are there in time to see Novere. A band that combines elements of doom, black metal, post-rock and more. On a bill as strong as this, they could easily be overshadowed, if they weren’t such a fantastic band.

It’s not as full as anyone would like it inside the Boston Music Room but those who did show up, are treated to a cacophony of poignant heaviness. Novere are on immense form, their dark and slow sound is made for venues like this, and it’s a major sign of just how good they are that their set flies by in a blur.

Which certainly goes for Armed for Apocalypse too. Having made the long trip over from America to play Tech Fest this year and go on this run of shows with Hundred Year Old Man. They are one of the loveliest band’s you could ever meet, who transform into an absolute beast when they get on stage.

On record, they’re a fantastic band, but on stage they’re something else altogether. This Armed for Apocalypse set shows a band filled with confidence and a desire to leave everyone desperate for them to come back. The energy they exude, the clear and undeniable passion they have for this, the songs they have in their repertoire (have you heard Ritual Violence? It’s savage) makes this a standout performance for the band. The elation in the faces of those head-banging along is all the proof you need. A massive highlight being Brady from Conjurer joining them on stage for a track.

One complaint? It’s over far too quickly and the reality is, we might have to wait a little while before they’re back on these shores again.

There’s no time to sulk about Armed for Apocalypse’s set being over though as one of the UK’s best bands are up next. It’s time for the post-metal brilliance of Hundred Year Old Man, a band who have been through so much and are still standing.

From the very moment they take to the stage, drenched in bright lights, emotions are running high. Hundred Year Old Man have the ability to cut through like few others and song after song resonates on a deeper level. Yet, alongside that is a booming, vibrating, and intense level of heaviness. You can feel the Boston Music Room shake at certain points during their set.

It’s a mesmerising performance from Hundred Year Old Man. One so strong, that there is no doubt that the future of this band remains extremely bright. Sharing the stage with such a variety of bands, all working their asses off, shows like this always feel immensely special.