Venenum

SLAEGT/DECREPID/ NNGNN

BOSTON ARMS, LONDON

NNGNN [7] make a big noise for a two-piece, mixing galloping Celtic Frost-meets-Bathory epicness with more esoteric BM fare, while DECREPID’S [7] evolution from a more 80s take on death metal to a brutal 90s-style assault goes down a storm. Last year’s Domus Mysterium album saw

SLAEGT [9] add psychedelic rock and late-70s metal touches to their sound to great effect. Live they take it up another notch, with a self-assured swagger that belies their youth. Lead guitarist Anders Jorgson struts like the bastard son of Mick Jagger, and their blend of Mercyful Fate, Dissection and Hawkwind is glorious. German deathsters VENENUM [8] released their debut album, Trance Of Death, just late last year but have years of experience under their belts in a host of highly rated bands. It’s a stormer and live they deliver too, in spades. They’re less spaced-out than Slaegt, but their tight and muscular riffing still taps into the yawning voids of Lovecraftian horror of the best modern DM.

ALASTAIR RIDDELL