Live Review: Wallowing, with Underdark & Tayne at The Black Heart, Camden, London (24/08/24)

Released in 2019, Planet Loss is the debut album from sci-fi themed blackened sludge and doom noise mongers, Wallowing. A concept album that covers relevant and real-world issues, but does so through a carefully crafted epic story. One that details a small rebellion fighting its last battle against a ruling oppressive regime only to result in the end of civilization due to both parties’ own ignorance.

It is an immersive soundscape, and over the past five years, Wallowing have created and built up their own sci-fi infused universe. Each aspect, which includes comic books, adds an even more impressive level of immersion. The band have learned a lot over the past five years, and grown, as proven by their 2023 album, Earth Reaper. So, with Planet Loss turning five this year, it seemed fitting for Wallowing to revisit it and remaster it.

Not only that, as well as offering up awesome variations on vinyl, the graphic novella has been reproduced, and for one night only, the Black Heart in Camden went cosmic.

This is no normal Saturday night at the Black Heart. Whereas regulars will be all too familiar with the route up to the venue door, they may not have expected to be greeted by an intimidating tentacled alien beastie. To make this intergalactic journey, attendees needed a pass, but once shown, found themselves transported elsewhere. The walls are silverly metallic, everything is lit by a variety of colours, armour, guns, and more adorn the walls, pungent smoke fills the air, and all manner of interstellar travellers are gathered in anticipation of Wallowing delivering a celebration of Planet Loss.

Wallowing haven’t come alone though and up first is the industrialised ‘noise pop’ sound of Tayne. A wonderful addition to this night as their experimental sound fits the sci-fi infused night perfectly. The word ‘pop’ might be part of their description but be under no false illusions, this band is heavy sounding. It just so happens that they have a ton of catchiness to them too. It’s a mesmerising set, made even more special by the appearance of Cage Fight’s Rachel Aspe for guest vocals on the beastly sounding Coherent.

Whereas Tayne was a new experience, Underdark is a much more familiar one, yet it’s one that continues to delight. The blackened post metal band oozes atmosphere and emotion at the best of times, but in this environment, they seem to burn even brighter than usual. Taking full advantage of the otherworldly vibes with a selection of songs that are akin to having an out of body experience. Not just through the sheer ferocity of their blackened side, but through the soul rendering experience that comes from the morose melodies and thick atmosphere they consistently provide.

However, when it comes to thick atmosphere (literal and figurative) there are very few bands delivering on this in quite the way that Wallowing do. Delivering on the promise of alien immersion with an evocative display of horrid noise and mind-melting intensity. The look and feel of Wallowing has always amazed, but here, the scale of their vision and what they can do when let off the hook, is incredible. Even as limited as they are in a venue the size of the Black Heart, it’s unlikely that there isn’t a single person inside who isn’t feeling a lack of gravity as Wallowing create beautiful carnage on stage.

It’s a Planet Loss celebration and a big one at that. Wallowing’s revelatory live show is as chaotically cathartic as always, but for those who have borne witness to it before, it’s getting better. There’s sense to this manically mutilating music, some form of order which shows that Wallowing isn’t just throwing everything at the wall and hoping it sticks (even if it’s green and gooey). The thought and care they put into the music on record is being reflected live more and more. Turning an already incredible band into one not to be missed. It’s a painful return back to Earth, but the interstellar experience was worth it.