24th of April, 2026

Another night in Camden Town means more live music into these lugholes, and a varied mix at that.

Let us not mince our words, it is best we just get right into it.

The main reason for our attendance would be SYMBYOTE, but we were not ready for the full and varied force that was dealt on this night.

The opening act came in the form of SLAUGHTER THEORY. A new band from my stomping grounds in the home counties of north of London. This young four piece play their thrash hard and fast.

It also happened to be their third gig, with the other two being their unprecedented climb toward the final of the 2026, Metal 2 The Masses Hitchin events.

Things move as quickly as the band, who formed in 2022 by lead guitarist Nate Stephenson and vocalist/guitarist Steve Day, later had Drummer Harry Wiseman take on the drumming position in 2024, and they found their fourth and final member (bassist Mitch Boost) last year.

With nothing more than a head full of harsh thrash metal and big dreams, SLAUGHTER THEORY delivered a set that was caustic and vibrant. Two years of two guitarists hammering out such catchy and bangable riffs seems to have paid dividends as this was a band for bigger things and brighter futures.

With a big release due out this summer, let’s hope it coincides with a worthy spot on a Bloodstock stage.

Another band that are as fresh as a daisy but heavy as hell are OATH. Not the doom trio from Greece, this is the London based sludge/death quartet that are drawing a raw, hardcore crust around their bleak but brilliant music.

Juxtaposing and flattering the previous band in equal measure, there were moments of industrialised oppression nestled within a hard boiled hardcore undercurrent.

OATH (London) are a band as enigmatic as they are determined to break ears and barriers. Expect things to move quickly at pace from here on in.

Having the band as a foursome since 2024, they are also keen to find a second guitarist, so hit up their socials for more details.

As mentioned earlier, SYMBYOTE were our main reason for coming out on a Friday, and for a band on the cusp of having their third anniversary, the amount of stage work this five piece put out is staggering, not to mention their other projects. Although not exclusively musical, as singer Dan became the father to a small human barely a few months prior.

With SLAUGHTER THEORY and headliners SANGUIS MORTEM reaching the next rounds of their respective Metal 2 The Masses heats this year, last years London winners and Bloodstock alumni SYMBYOTE are seasoned veterans and another night at The Dev is another day at the farm. This is of no consequence, as the quintet put out flawless displays of blackened deathcore every time.

If this is the road to Bloodstock for SLAUGHTER THEORY and SANGUIS MORTEM, then I hope they both make it all the way to that field in Derby come the summer.

With heads down chaos mongering disguised as tight drums and bone splintering riffs. There is a reason the lads are a high demand commodity in the underground scene.

I knew little about the headliners, but SANGUIS MORTEM left an impression.

As I’ve said, the four piece have secured entry to heat 2 of M2TM South Coast, and are enjoying taking their debut album, HAPPY DOOMSDAY out on the road.

Theirs is a unique sound, blending thrash’s bent for mixing fun with aggression, gothic moments of vocals and a fresh faced take on the Avenged Sevenfold formula.

Even though I need to admit that, while the music doesn’t connect with me as much, I cannot deny the fevered energy and panache that SANGUIS MORTEM exhibited from beginning to end.

They are a band of their time, and have captured enough people’s imagination for my opinion to be of the lowest minority.

At least I’m honest enough to know I’m wrong. We’ve all been to the odd gig where not every band can tickle your earbones, but on this night, they sure did get the job done for everyone else.

It’s good to go out and find new bands with fresh ideas to keep us going, and I hope the road that SAUGHTER THEORY and SANGUIS MORTEM are travelling takes them all the way to that Bloodstock field in Derby come the summer.

SANGUIS MORTEM released their debut album, titled MERRY DOOMSDAY on the 31st of March, 2026. Available on major streaming platforms.