Live Review: Battlesnake - Camden Assembly, London 25/09/2024
Horns up for the devilishly delightful Battlesnake.
Playing to a packed Camden Assembly, Battlesnake bring their unique blend of weird and wonderful wizardry to the fore. After entering the stage to ominous chanting in their medieval style robes their song 'I Am The Vomit' is menacing and mesmerising, all thrash metal guitars and sinister vocals with lyrics such as ‘I am the maggot, feeding on your skin’ delivered with ferocious energy. Next song 'The Rotten Priest' follows in a similar fashion, the performance is pure theatre, each band member adorned with gold studded and chained horned costumes frequently proclaiming “We are Battlesnake” with dramatic reverb, a gravel toned growl and satanic horn symbols. The seven piece band from Australia have gained a reputation for their high energy live shows and theatrical lyrics, already supporting the likes of Kiss, Smashing Pumpkins and Jane’s Addiction on tour.
'Pterodactyl Firehawk' and 'I Speak Tongues' from their latest album ‘The Rise and Demise Of The Motorsteeple’ really get the mosh pit going and elicit a full on frenzied fit of passion from the lead singer. Tonight is only their second time playing in London, although they play it like it’s their stomping ground. With the crowd in the palm of their hand, they produce the rare achievement of making them lower to the ground not only once but twice, the second time for a bible reading from their lead singer, culminating in a dramatic shout of the number of the Devil 666.
'The Atomic Plough' sees the singer riding on a member of the crowd's shoulders through the venue in the highlight of the night. Set closer 'Nightmare King' has the singer and keyboardist in their budgie smugglers once again, diving with sheer abandon into the audience, the guitarist performing his solo on another band mate's shoulders and charging through the crowd like a juggernaut, epitomising the glorious madness of Battlesnake in this phenomenal performance.
Words by Brendan Sharp
