Live Review: Urne with Mountain Caller and Tribe of Ghosts at the Craufurd Arms, Milton Keynes (09/12/23)

When Urne announced this extensive UK tour a few months ago, my heart sunk. It is no secret that I think this band is one of the best things in metal right now. Having released the phenomenal ‘A Feast on Sorrow’ in August of this year, which was the follow-up to the equally phenomenal ‘Serpent & Spirit’, and killing it on the main stage at Bloodstock Festival, it has felt like Urne are on an upward trajectory. So, why did my heart sink? There was simply no way for me to get to my local show – the final date in London.

As tempting as it is to not show up for one of my dearest friend’s wedding, I’m not sure she would be understanding of my reasoning. So, I looked at other dates but again, work and other commitments made them an impossibility. It genuinely looked like I was going to have to give the tour a miss and that did not sit well.

Then, two of my favourite bands were also announced as support; Tribe of Ghosts and Mountain Caller. There was simply no way I could miss this tour. So, the missus and I set about finding a way to get to one of them, which involved favours and short notice leave dates being granted. The end result was the Craufurd Arms in Milton Keynes becoming the destination this past weekend. A place I’d never been to, and was very excited to experience for the first time (loved the venue in the end).

It could have been a dump though, and it wouldn’t have mattered. I was seeing three of my favourite bands play together and that was all that mattered.

It’s been an impressive year for Tribe of Ghosts. The industrial post-metal band have really stepped up and put themselves on the metal map. Not just through live performances either, but through the slew of excellent singles they have released. The more times I hear Hive, the more I think it is one of the best releases of 2023.

So, I am very glad we got to hear that in the Craufurd Arms tonight, and it is sounding heavier and more intense each time. Yet, it is just one part of a near-show stealing set and part of a showcase of how far this band has come in a stupidly short amount of time. How good does False Gods sound live? There is no ceiling on this band and their performance here reflects that. Giving it their absolute all, winning over a ton of new fans, and delighting those who already know Tribe of Ghosts are part of the future of this scene.

2023 was one hell of a year for this band, and there is no doubt in my mind, that 2024 is going to be even bigger.

Speaking of the future… progressive metal three-piece Mountain Caller have a brand-new album out early next year. Called ‘Chronicle II: Hypergenesis’, it is set for release on January 26th, 2024, via Church Road Records. I mention this because tracks from the album are aired and these songs are sounding very strong live. In particular, the most recent single ‘March of the Göll’, which might very well be one of the best tracks this band has written.

Mountain Caller are different kind of beast in this line-up, not just because of their wandering progressive soundscape, but because they are intently focused on their craft. It’s near hypnotic watching this band play, causing bodies to sway in the melody, and heads to be banged hard when they let lose. When forty-odd minutes feels like ten, you know you’ve enjoyed it. Again, there’s simply no doubt that 2024 is going to be a huge year for this band and they deliver a stunning live performance here.

Any other night, and in the case with the majority of bands, you’d think the headline act would be in trouble having to follow two spectacular sets, but Urne are not like any other band. It is not hyperbole to call this band the future of heavy music, even though the future is right now.

What do you expect me to say? That it was simply transcendent? That Urne don’t just have a bevy of tracks that all sound immense, but have become such a tight unit on stage, that you could close your eyes and be in the studio? That there isn’t a single face without a big smile come the end?

They’ve got this. You can see it, you can hear it, you can feel it. Urne know the scene is theirs for the taking and they just need to keep this momentum going. A Feast on Sorrow is the focus, and not just because it is the latest release, but because it features so many excellent tracks that sound bigger, heavier, and more emotional in the live environment.

The Flood Comes Rushing In, Becoming the Ocean, The Burden, Where Do the Memories Go? It’s not quite an album in full show, but it’s not far off. Although nobody would be complaining if it was. It is that good of an album and that good of a live performance. Although no-one is ever going to complain either about hearing the title track from the debut album Serpent & Spirit or Desolate Heart played live.

It’s not just the songs though, but how the band look and act on stage. Vocalist and bassist Joe stalks and stomps around, gurning with intensity and swinging his bass around like it is a weapon. He is beyond watchable. Then there is Angus, who plays his guitar with such focus and passion, that you know any possible mistake or slip-up would bother him. Although it’s not like that happens, such is the skill of this man. Finally, there is drummer James, who might have only joined Urne in 2022, but has given them an extra edge. His drumming is gob-smacking and he just fits this band so perfectly.

Together, they are Urne and together they deliver one of the best live shows of 2023 overall. However, before I wrap this review up, I want to mention that this sort of show… featuring three of the brightest and best in UK metal, and all coming from different genre directions, is what I loved more than anything. It felt like a gathering of love, not just for the music and the bands, but for the scene in general. Hugs, kisses, warm words, a lot of booze, a stupid amount of merch bought, and kindness from all. Our first time at the Craufurd Arms was one we won’t be forgetting any time soon.