Every Time I Die, Trash Talk + Defeater, Electric Ballroom, London

To be honest, double checking tonight’s venue came as a small shock. Half expecting to see this evening’s bands listed amongst those appearing at The Underworld, it’s with some apprehension that we head to The Electric Ballroom instead. However, the queue winding down Camden High Street is a pleasant and optimistic start to what could only ever be an explosive night.

Again with the surprises is the introduction to Defeater’s set. The band more traditionally known for their melodic hardcore roots are, however, no strangers to shock tactics, and thus they open with a melancholic acoustic number - ‘I Don’t Mind’ - which is, no doubt, going to be the quietest moment of the evening. Quickly launching into their full force set, frontman Derek Archambault transforms entirely, his vocals thickening with aggression as the rest of the band join him on stage to blast through tracks from both of their full lengths, as well as the odd offering from EP ‘Lost Ground’.

Before our main support act even hit the stage tonight, the crowd is swept towards the edges of the room as a circle pit engulfs the entire standing area. It’s not often that it can be so definitely said that a band are capable of destroying a venue inside out, but Trash Talk are definitely one of exceptions. So, when their eerily menacing intro finishes, and the stark and unforgettable figure of vocalist Lee Spielman appears in front of the crowd, the utter chaos that unfolds is almost entirely anticipated. Pummelling their way through a set that sees bodies fly around the room, their vocalist even stands in the centre of the room whilst a pit circles him in an entirely cathartic display. The songs are ferocious and the live show itself even more so, proving yet again why Trash Talk will always be ones to watch.

Finally this evening, we are greeted with our headliners Every Time I Die. The band take on a completely packed out room: we’re not entirely sure when it happened, but you definitely can’t move by the time they plummet into opener ‘Apocalypse Now And Then’. Sounding entirely loud, their set is packed with everything you’d hope for from such a band; technically thrilling guitar lines, the tightest of rhythm sections; all topped off with that incredible cocky swagger that each of their tracks possess so effortlessly.

Taking us through their full back catalogue, highlights include that infamous line from ‘Bored Stiff’, the older classics ‘Ebolarama’ and ‘She’s My Rushmore’ as well as Keith Buckley commanding one attendee to leave his spot at the back of the room and crowd surf his way over the entire crowd before the band burst into ‘We’rewolf’. Wrapping their set up with ‘Floater’, it’s only when the band exit the stage that the fire in the bellies of many of tonight’s crowd dims, having been appeased with such an intense display of heavy music. Good effort all around.