Live Review: Tortured Demon with Bangover at The Black Heart, Camden, London (07/11/24)

2021 seems so far away, and in the case of watching Tortured Demon play live today, it feels even further. So, why am I bringing up 2021? Simply because that was the year that I fell under the thrashy spell of this band.

Like so many others, I heard about the age thing first, then I caught what I could at Bloodstock 2021 (the stage was rammed, and this set has now become infamous), before finally seeing them at a weekender at the end of the year, up close. They were excellent and it quickly became clear that there was so much more to them. Just watching the passion, they threw into their performance and the way they commanded the audience was so impressive.

It wouldn’t be until 2023 that I caught up with them, once again at Bloodstock, where this time, they tore the Sophie Lancaster stage apart. The step up in all departments was incredibly notable, but the clues had been dropped a few months before with the arrival of their new album, Rise of the Lifeless.

Tortured Demon were evolving, not just because they were getting older, but because of the incredible amount of experience they had gained. They’ve always felt like a band one step ahead of the pack and hearing them develop their thrash-based sound with more groove and melody has been special.

Which brings us to 2024 and to the Black Heart in Camden, London on a chilly November evening. Tortured Demon have arrived to damage some hearing, cause some neck issues, and if you’re really lucky, melt your face off. There’s a high chance that if this was a literal face melting by Tortured Demon, many in this crowd would have welcomed it. Such is the adulation reserved for the four-piece when they hit the stage shortly after 9:30pm.

Before that though, how about f**king Bangover to warm up a crowd? The London thrashers have their work cut out for them, especially when trying to get a pit started, but they push hard and entertain a crowd that is saving their energy for the headliners. It doesn’t help that Bangover are the only support act as Struck a Nerve had to pull out at the last minute, but even still, the energy, life, and fun they bring to their show is remarkably lovable. They don’t take themselves too seriously, evident by a Star Wars’ tribute track called Grand Moff Tarkin that goes down a treat.

Speaking of going down a treat though… how f**king good are Tortured Demon? They were always a great live band, but this version of them is better than ever. It’s f**king absurd that a band that is still stupidly young playing this kind of music can sound this good. I’m not alone thinking this though and the Black Heart comes to life for this band and respond to every word spoken/every demand to go nuts with the kind of fervour normally reserved for loved ones.

People love Tortured Demon and people love their heavy head banging ways. Delivering a set that proudly showcases the music they made when they were just starting out, to proudly showcasing the music that they’re making now. It all fits together nicely and the band deliver it with the kind of confidence that comes from an unwavering belief that the reaction from the crowd is genuine. Which it is, and that affection is returned by the band, who leave with beaming smiles and promises of returning soon. London will always welcome them, it seems, and only the gods know how much better of a band they will be next time they come around!