Deathstars – Underworld 2006

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Despite being on their second album, and having built up a substantial following in England, this was the Deathstars first UK headlining tour. Prior to this they’d made one appearance at the Bloodstock Festival and one appearance in London supporting Lacuna Coil. This date at the Underworld was initially a one-off date to follow the festival slot, but other dates were quickly added.

Support came from Stoneman (who were on too early) and the rather unimpressive October File. October File’s front man used up all three of his stage moves in the first 20 seconds of the first song, so as a visual spectacle they really had nothing left after that. Musically they were pretty boring as well, although they did have a few good riffs, and are no doubt destined for big things with teenage metal fans.

The confines of the Underworld don’t allow for a great deal of stage show, and you get the feeling that, given the space, Deathstars could be, and would like to be, a Rammstein style outfit with the large stage set, pyro and light displays. Possibly without the costume changes and general theatrics, though. And of course, if they changed costumes, the fans wouldn’t be able to so reliably dress like them. The venue doesn’t normally allow for decent sound either, but this time the sound was uncharacteristically good. Each instrument was reasonably clear and the vocals cut through perfectly.

Front man “Whiplasher” (they all have stupid names) turned out to be rather irritating; his stage talk arrogantly walking the line between confidence and idiocy. However, his and the rest of the band’s performance was excellent. They’re a band that do what Marilyn Manson should do, but doesn’t. Better vocals, better songs and better riffs.

The setlist was understandably split near enough 50/50 between debut album Synthetic Generation and new album Termination Bliss. Many of the fans in attendance have clearly come on board with the advent of the new album, awarding the loudest responses to anthemic new songs like Tongues, Blitzkrieg and Cyanide, although calls for Syndrome from the first album went unfulfilled.

In the live setting the songs retain their power, and although not many fans can pull off the vicious side of Whiplasher’s voice, they can all sing along to the deeper parts, and sing they did. While the place was by no means full, the enthusiasm of the youngish audience made up for any shortfall in numbers. If the attitude towards the fans displayed by the front man were better I can imagine the response would be deafening, but lines like “who wants to f**k my right now?” aren’t going to get many cheers from a largely male crowd. His arrogance the whole night may have put a few off as well.

Attitudes aside, Deathstars are an excellent band both live and on record. Their brand of industrial metal, with the two different vocal styles, holds a greater level of variation and interest than the likes of Manson and with most if not all of their songs having that fist-pumping anthemic quality to them, they’re the kind of big fun, big show band crowds love.

“ what Marilyn Manson should do, but doesn’t ”

Setlist: Last Ammunition / New Dead Nation / Trinity Fields / Motherzone / Synthetic Generation / Tongues / Blitzkrieg / Greatest Fight On Earth / Virtue To Vice / Little Angel / Play God / Semi-Automatic / Cyanide // Damn Me / The Revolution Exodus

Written by Andy Lye
More: Gigs, Industrial, Deathstars