Hypocrisy - Bloodshot Dawn - Ancient Ascendant

HYPOCRISY playing at a small venue like the Underworld? (500 capacity) – I was definitely looking forward to that, as I’ve only ever seen them on festivals or on big tours in Europe, where they are way more popular than in the UK.

First up were :: ANCIENT ASCENDANT :: a UK based Death Metal band. They had quite a few heads banging at the end, which you don’t see very often when support bands are playing in London.
Setlist: Grim Awakenings, Driven by the Dark, Casting the Shroud Aside, Blood Calls, Under Ancient Stone

Next up were :: BLOODSHOT DAWN :: another UK Death Metal band who already had a good reputation on the live circuit. They did an excellent job as support with their audience interaction and even had some people moshing. Having seen both of them several times before both delivered their best sets so far. They were well received by the audience, however everyone was just waiting for one band…
Setlist: Beckoning Oblivion, Vision, Illusion Aesthetic, The Quantum Apocalypse, Godless

The • Underworld • was already quite packed and sweaty when :: HYPOCRISY :: finally came on stage, and they started off with the title song of their new album, End Of Disclosure. All new songs were well received and the crowd lapped up every song that was played. It’s no-nonsense, straight forward old school Swedish Death Metal struck a chord with almost everyone. With a cheeky smile now and then and a solid performance Pete Tagtgren gave the crowd what they wanted, and they screamed his name during every song. The beer flew around, everyone was grinning ear to ear and there was the occasional stage diver as well, and of course the obligatory moshpits. When it came to the encores Roswell 47, Adjusting The Sun and Eraser the Underworld was one sweaty venue, the air full of condensation and many happy people left the venue.
Setlist: End Of Disclosure, Tales Of Thy Spinless, Fractured Millenium, Left To Rot, The Eye, The Abyss, Fire In The Sky, Necronimicon, Buried, Fearless, United We Fall, 44 Double Zero, Elastic Inverted Visions, Warpath, The Gathering; Encore: Roswell 47, Adjusting The Sun, Eraser