DEAD POSEY // CAMDEN UNDERWORLD, LONDON
Dead Posey continue to cement their cult status with a show that was both confrontational and captivating.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
DEAD POSEY PERFORMING AT LONDON’S CAMDEN UNDERWORLD
PHOTOCREDIT: MAY UDDIN
In the gritty streets of Camden, laden with alt fans from all over the UK, one venue resonated a little louder than the rest.
Camden’s iconic venue, The Underworld, hosted a dark and thunderous night of modern rock on Thursday 16th October as Dead Posey brought their “The Damned & The Dead” tour to London. With support from rising acts Hell Hotel and The Cruel Knives, it was a stacked line-up that delivered intensity and attitude wrapped up in a gritty atmosphere.
Opening the night, Hell Hotel wasted no time grabbing the audience’s attention with a riotous set full of snarling vocals and a punk attitude reminiscent of an early Pierce the Veil. Their sound seemed to draw from alt-rock and grunge as well as a revival of early 2000s garage rock that felt both nostalgic and magnetically current. Judging by the bobbing heads and jumping fans, for an opening act, their stage presence was commanding, with lead singer Demi’s charisma drawing early cheers. They're clearly a band to watch - raw, loud and unapologetic.
Next was The Cruel Knives, who brought a slick, refined energy to the stage. Their set was tight, aggressive and polished without losing edge, with each song delivered with a sharp intent. Highlights included the pounding ‘Overdose’ and the anthemic ‘Hollow People,’ both of which had the crowd fully engaged and bobbing. The band including vocalist Tom Harris moved with unrelenting energy electric riffs carved through the room like a buzzsaw. The chemistry amongst the band was undeniable, playing as the perfect bridge between the rawness of Hell Hotel and the dark theatrics of the long-anticipated headliner.
When Dead Posey hit the stage, the room transformed. An eerie video played of lead singer, the hypnotic and haunting, Danyell Souza. The stage was drenched in red and blue lights as their entrance played out more like ritual than performance. Souza, in all her fiery allure, stalked the stage with a presence that was both menacing and magnetic. A black cat stalking the dark. Backed by Tony F. Nova on a thunderous guitar, their sound felt like a séance set to rock music.
Drawing from their latest album “The Malfunctioning Dead,” they performed standout tracks like “Sorry I’m Not Dead,” “Freak Show,” and the sinister “Parasite.” Fans shouted every word, while newcomers were visibly entranced. Danyell’s vocals moved between snarling, howling and ghostly wailing as she slinked over the stage with theatrical flair.
Audience interaction was one of her fair strengths, with one of the highlights of the night being her picking out lucky audience members to pull on stage, dancing as if for a moment, it was just a simple party with friends, before (carefully) getting launched to get crowdsurfed.
The Underworld remains one of London’s best intimate rock venues, and nights like this are a reminder why. The sound punchy and powerful, while the low ceiling and no-frills setup kept the gritty atmosphere.
With an expertly curated lineup and sense of communion fostered between artist and audience, this was an experience that would not be easy to forget. Dead Posey continue to cement their cult status with a show that was both confrontational and captivating, while The Cruel Knives and Hell Hotel proved that they’re forces to be reckoned with in the UK rock scene. From start to finish, the show was a masterclass in modern dark rock; visceral, seductive and unapologetically loud.
REVIEW + PHOTOS BY: MAY UDDIN
