On August 25th, Asgaard‘s new season kicked off with a metalcore/deathcore event in collaboration with Return Bookings. Signs of the Swarm dropped by on their “Amongst the Low & Empty” album tour with supporting acts Mental Cruelty, When Plagues Collide, Knives To A Gunfight and Subvergence. The evening was kicked off by Subvergence (the performance unfortunately missed due to circumstances), after which “house band” Knives To A Gunfight kicked some ass. This band has been on stage several times in Asgaard. The band delivered as always, playing a very tight set.  Then When Plagues Collide set the venue on fire. The band put themselves on the map with their album ‘An Unbiblical Paradigm’ and has everything to establish itself as one of the top bands in the scene, even outside Europe. What an energy and what a performance. For me, the discovery of the night.

Next up in line, Mental Cruelty. They played songs from their recent record ‘Zwielicht’, released in June. With their compelling blackened deathcore, they provided a moment of peace after the energetic deathcore rollercoaster that had already raged over us. The charismatic Lucas mesmerised the crowd and took them on a trip to hell and damnation.

The last performance was the headliner Signs Of The Swarm. This was the only stop in Belgium to present their latest album, “Amongst the Low & Empty”. It was the first time I saw them live, and I certainly hope to see them at work even more. It was spot on! The audience ate out of their hands, even though they were beaten to a nub by the devastating riffs and breakdowns. It won’t be long before they become one of the big names in the genre. They still have got a lot of room to grow.