DVP were first to take the stage of the dingy Camden Underworld, DVP shortened from Death Valley Piledriver really do live up to their name. Powerful sludgy death metal that is capable of chargrilling small fluffy animals, with a stage presence that heaves the crowd from the pit into the ether and crashes them back down to earth with equal force, touching even the most hardened death metal heart.

Following in their footsteps, Vendetta, like DVP hailing from Peterborough gave the crowd a taste of rap metal, British style. Admittedly not the most common of genres in Britain and one of the majorities just didn’t seem to get it. Vendetta’s Gallows-esque vocal approach, mixed with hurling drums and metal overtones would have rocked fans of Terror and Machine Head’s socks off, but unfortunately rap metal with a British Twinnings twist doesn’t quite cut it.

And then in come the cavalry. Stuck Mojo’s monolithic performance bulldozed down the walls, and opened up the small stage of the Underworld for one night only, magnifying this tiny gig venue into a haven for all things brutal honest and out ‘n’ out metal! Showing everyone how its really done, Lord Nelsons almighty lyrical genius and The Dukes seamless guitar solos sent the crowd into a spin and had them literally eating out of Mojo’s hands. The highlight of Stuck Mojo’s set however, has got to be the best drummer on earth, Steve  “Nailz” Underwood. Witnessing Steve’s exuberance and sheer power on the drums is enough to make a grown man pop out a little sex wee and brings a whole new meaning to the word Mojo. These guys have renewed a confidence in a genre that is considered taboo amongst purists.

Reviewed by Lucy Carroll

Photography by Asif Salam