BUTCHER BABiES

EYES SET TO kiLL/kLOgR

THE DOME, LONDON

LA firebrands bring the heat to a frozen London

TonighT’s openers, iTalian/americans

KLOGR [7] pummel through an alt-metal mash-up of post-grunge and melo-prog that simmers below cleanly sung hooks. Less inspiring are EYES SET TO KILL [6], who peddle an unimaginative cover of The cranberries’ Zombie and bandy around catchy but generic hooks like they’ve got them on tap. Maybe it’s because the capital is still hibernating after a week of brass-knackers weather, but as BUTCHER BABIES [7] take the stage, The Dome is only about half full. regardless, frontwomen Heidi Shepherd and carla Harvey would put on the same show if they were playing to 10 people or 10,000. From opener Lilith, which revels in creepy ambience and chunky riffs, the evening is an onslaught of insatiable energy, and windmilling extensions. Although they’re often derided for performing topless with Wendy o Williams-style tape on their nipples 10 years ago, the Babies’ work ethic is second to none and their vocals deserve way more credit than they’re afforded. Heidi informs us that she’s lost her voice but her acerbic shrieks on Burn The Straw Man, as well as her clean vocals, are on point, the perfect foil for carla’s rougher, bludgeoning growls. Musically too, recent tracks like Korova and Headspin are huge improvements on the band’s earlier, more rudimentary metal like Monster’s Ball and In Denial in terms of groove, melody and memorability. Butcher Babies continue to prove their haters wrong at every turn.