Dilly Dally, Sebright Arms, London

When Toronto’s Dilly Dally returned with their second album ‘Heaven’ last month, they were vocal about the fact that the album didn’t come easy. Arising out of a tumultuous period for the four-piece, in which a relentless touring schedule and personal issues raised the question of whether they’d even continue as a band at all, the album acted as a message of rebirth, full of affirmations of hope and a sense that they weren’t willing to go down without a fight.

So, at tonight’s show it’s good news that the band seem like they’re back on fighting form. Kicking things off with a run of new album tracks - ‘I Feel Free’, ‘Sober Motel’ and ‘Doom’ - the new album blends in seamlessly with their first album, 2015’s ‘Sore’, and their energy sounds as relentless as ever. Despite their blistering sound, their show is one that uplifts, swaying between moments of intense noise, with singer and guitarist Katie Monks’ brutal screams ricocheting through the tiny basement, and moments of gratitude as they humbly thank the crowd.