London
26 January 2019
It’s a wet and cold January night as I edge my way past the throngs that inhabit the high street in Brixton to make my way towards the venue. The weather seems rather apt to witness two of doom’s finest bands, as well as Rise Above records stablemates. Now, I have no real love for the Electric: the place feels sterile and is certainly over-priced — it lacks the atmosphere that it had during its glory days as the Ace, and now even the PA system doesn’t seem as strong or as loud as it once did when The Birthday Party trod the boards there.
The classic “Goodbye Gemini” from the band’s Eldritch Dark album gets heads shaking in the audience as its malevolent melody hits them in their ears. “Drawing Down The Moon” is filled with subtle beauty as Alia’s flute notes fall like the rain outside over the heads of the crowd. “Half Moon Street” is full of occult mystery, while “Oliver Haddo” has the dark spiritual energy of Aleister Crowley hovering above it.
Tonight we are treated to a song from the much-anticipated next album: “Lolly Willows” has a feel of a 1972 prog epic, but the kind that is haunted by spirits in darkened woods. The band seem enthused to be playing a new track and put all their energy in to making it translate to those of us hearing for the first time. Then comes a classic from the first album, “I’m Coming With You”, that gets people moving and chanting along to the words like they are trying to raise the Goat of Mendes. And then it’s all over — the set seems so short and it feels like the band were only on stage for thirty minutes; they certainly left everyone wanting more and they are long overdue for a headlining UK tour again. At the time of Uncle Acid And The Deadbeats’ first album, there was a mystery to who they really were, and some envisioned a doom supergroup made up of various members of the scene’s most famous musicians. When they finally revealed themselves live at the Rise Above anniversary concert they were a force to be reckoned with, even though they didn’t have the band members rumoured to be playing in them. Over the years, they have gained a large following, one of the reasons why tonight’s venue is packed with eager Deadbeat heads.They kick off with an all-guns-blasting version of “I See Through You”, with the set moving at a fast pace from there on in. “Waiting For Blood” follows next, its killer on the street riff catapulting the band’s forward momentum to crush the audience with sound. The backdrop glistens with images of Giallo cinema, bathed in red. “Mt Abraxas” is a mire of sludge with wailing guitars that seem to be trying to reach heavenward.
“Mind Crawler” gets a massive cheer as the band hurtle their way through this classic number. “They are on fire tonight”, the person next to me says to his friend. “Dead Eyes Of London” is full of brimstone and shows what a powerhouse they can be. For me, the highlight of the set was a storming rendition of “I’ll Cut You Down”, a track filled with blood-soaked alleyways and an air of Italian horror shockers about it. “13 Candles” closes the evening and leaves the audience in a breathless state.Uncle Acid are always a live phenomenon; now they have honed their set to make it lean, dark and combative. It’s a blood-spattered fest where the only thing missing is the beautiful Edwige Fenech. The band’s sound is that of the rain-soaked streets in a Dario Argento movie. I ponder this thought as I make my way back through the soggy pavements of old London town.
-Words: Gary Parsons-
-Pictures: Dave Pettit-
