9

Very impressive

The last time this reviewer seen Death Remains live, it was in a supporting slot at The Black Heart down in Camden about a year ago. Tonight they were opening for Sepultura at the Islington Academy and they seized the opportunity with a crushing performance, which by the end had hugely won over the crowd trickling in. Front man Barry O'Connor, from the word go, was actively looking to get the crowd involved, and by the last couple of tracks he got his wish and the first pit of the night opened up. It's not often you get good sound with support bands as well, so they lucked out in that respect, as it helped amplify how tight a unit they are live. Track's off of their debut album STAND. FIGHT.BELIEVE sounded absolutely devastating and were well received across the venue, Work Sleep Repeat in particular sounding huge.

With every live show, Death Remains are growing in stature and ability, and this should continue right through 2014 and beyond. They claim to be injecting life into the British Metal scene, and on tonight's evidence it is clear that the needle is primed and ready to penetrate the skin.