Live Review: Rivers of Nihil, Black Crown Initiate, MØL and Orbit Culture at The Dome, Tufnell Park, London (02/10/19)

The Dome in Tufnell Park, London is playing host to some of the best and hottest bands in metal tonight. Headlined by the death/black metal band, Rivers of Nihil who are performing their universally lauded 2018 album ‘Where Owls Know My Name‘ in full.

Alongside them is Black Crown Initiate, MØL and Orbit Culture, the latter being the opening band. Unfortunately we are only able to catch the final song of them so can’t really say much about them overall.

That’s not the case for MØL though. A band that is very well loved here at GBHBL and by the end of their 30 minute set that love is even deeper. They really are one of the best bands in the entire world now. Intensity personified, their blackgaze sound is so damn powerful. They could have played for the double the time and it would still have been as awesome.

When Kim Song Sternkopf brings the mic stand to the floor for the finale of ‘Jord’ it gets even more intense. Or at least it would be if many of those surrounding him could put their phones away and be part of the moment rather then trying to film it. It’s a small gripe and nothing the band could control.

By time progressive death metal band Black Crown Initiate take to the stage, the venue is pretty packed and it’s clear most wanted to make sure they didn’t miss the future heavyweights. It is a heavy as hell performance and while it doesn’t grab in quite the same way that MØL does, it’s still a very memorable set.

All leading to Rivers of Nihil and a phenomenal set based around their phenomenal new album. The sound is immense and the band are on incredible form, they blow all expectations out the window. We thought it would be great but it was far better.

Tonight was a showcase of the future of the metal scene and every band we saw proved that they are more then ready to step up.