BarricadeUK

Blazing pyro, moth shaped confetti, grafitti on stage, and a world class heavy lineup – LANDMVRKS leading the metalcore revolution

Over the last few years LANDMVRKS have been on a constant rise, and the release of their 4th studio album The Darkest Place I’ve Ever Been sky rocketed them to straight to the top of the metalcore scene. 

With outlets all over the world having the album as a strong contender for Album of The Year, the french group didn’t pull any punches with their UK headline show this December. 

When you put together The Roundhouse, a legendary venue, three openers that could all headline that room and an abundance of raw energy and feeling, you’re set for success. 

The openers:

SPLIT CHAIN

Bristol based Nu-Gaze group opened with guttural screams, heavy riffs, two guitars that seemed to never take a break whilst not stepping on each other. The band might be new in the scene, only being active for two years, but what really pushed them to the top is how tight, present and crowd commanding they are. 

PAIN OF TRUTH

True New York Hardcore. That’s how Michael Smith (vocals) describes his new band, Pain Of Truth. And he is definitely right. Crazy energy, a surprising amount of crowdsurfers for the second band on a stacked 4 band bill. 

Massive pits all over the place, the band is constantly moving, the vocals are sharp edged, and you can feel the violence and the release in the room. They’re one to watch, that’s for sure. 

UNDEROATH 

Posthardcore Underoath is the final opener of the night. They take the stage in a haze of flashing lights and distorted guitars, opening up with Loss and carrying the momentum forward. They switch into a more emotional side too, with Hallelujah and All the Love is Gone delivering chilling melodic lines.

It’s dark and atmospheric, whilst keeping playful tones all throughout. An incredibly well curated blend of raw emotion and heavy riffs. 

LANDMVRKS

The curtain drops and Flo takes the stage by storm, and the title track of their new album The Darkest Place I’ve Ever Been starts. Melodic at first, a soft and quiet moment of peace before the guttural screams land and the stage is engulfed in flames. 

Creature is up next, momentum now steady, heavy riffs and powerful drums that never drown the vocals. More pyro, and a huge interactive LED display that screams back the lyrics in blood red. 

The set is everything they promised this year. Split almost equally between Lost in the Waves and the new album, they play Death, Visage and merge them together with A Line in The Dust with a most welcomed appearance from Mat Welsh of While She Sleeps then rip into Sulfur, the heaviest track from the  new release. 

They slow down briefly, and the room breathes, La Valse Du Temps fitting right in between heavy metalcore screams, lasers and flames. 

They finish on a high, with Blood Red bathing the crowd in a controlled aggression, and Self Made Black Hole punches through right at the end.

This was probably one of the best metalcore bills that London has seen all year round. LANDMVRKS have solidified themselves as a strong headliner and whilst the stage setup, antics, pyro and lights dressed up the show nicely, it’s their emotion, the tightness of the band and how easily they fold each song into the other that turned it into a living thing. 

Gabby Adler