This is a big show, 5 bands in total on a Monday night. The last time we attended a deathcore show with this many bands the organisation was terrible and no one had a single clue what was going on and people left early, so this one as a second experience for myself could only be better than that first example.

Monachopsis: The guys had the worst start time with their set having to start at 7 just as doors open which meant the crowd wasn’t as a large for their set, however it doesn’t mean that the set wasn’t well received. The band work well together to make an entertaining performance with phenomenal screams from the vocalist, guitarists and bassists fill in the lack of drummer with how well they tie the instrumentals together.

The vocalist gave all of us some entertainment halfway through the performance when he dropped the mic and headed into what we thought was the crowd during the solo section, only to head to the bar and get a round of drinks for the rest of the band as well as having a catch up with fans, as the rest of the guys watch and laugh and sell the show in a hilarious and incredible way.

Saarkoth, from Birmingham, captured your attention with their war paint and hooded attire giving you the vibes of a Viking group but with the vocalist in a dark black robe It gave Viking x Sith Lord vibes. The set starts with a slow backing track giving the set an eerie feel whilst the vocalist in his robes holds up an animal skull as he lets out gut wrenching screams. The entire way through he has his hood up with an animal skull like mask on to really sell the theme of the band.

Every now and then they would talk to the crowd and the brummie accent would pop out right before the most intense and dark title of a track got announced.

Voidwalker, from Lancashire, had one of the best performances they had base and a beat that made you do the head bang of approval throughout the entire set. I love seeing a band that can produce screams and growls to that level and just smile like the most innocent looking group that you could come across.

They knew how to keep the crowd entertained they knew how to play extremely well and the way they were as a group just made the performance better.

Existentialist are still one of the best deathcore hands I’ve seen since the first time I caught one of their sets a few months prior. The vocalist has this energy that makes him insanely intimidating and his vocals just add to that intensity, he carries his vocals throughout the set as if it’s the easiest thing in the world, as if it’s not an incredible hard skill to master.

Their new guitarist fits so well into the band you honestly wouldn’t think that he had just joined you’d thing he’s been with the guys for years the way he merges so well with the others. Their instrumentals are something you can’t beat with every single track being so well played. The entire room loves their performance which is obvious throughout the show with them getting an incredible amount of cheers of encouragement from every single person in that room. 100% these guys have a future in the deathcore scene

And finally Drown in Sulphur finally takes to the stage bang on 10pm as predicted, like I said the production for this gig has been a 10/10 when a band would announce their final song the crew were ready to start the change over everything was quick and efficient it was perfectly done. Will say that a gig on a Monday being this size is not the best of ideas with some of the crowd having to leave to get late weekday trains which was the same issue with the previous deathcore showcase I covered.

Drown in Sulphur delivered an unforgettable performance that had the crowd buzzing long after the last note faded. Known for their crushing deathcore sound, the band brought an energy to the stage that perfectly matched the dark and gritty atmosphere of the venue. From the moment they stepped on stage, the crowd was fully engaged. The energy in the room was palpable, with fans headbanging and chanting in sync with every blast beat and breakdown. There’s something undeniably electric about a live show, and Drown in Sulphur’s performance was a textbook example of how a band can truly connect with their audience.

The frontman’s vocal performance was a standout highlight of the night. With his ability to effortlessly switch between guttural growls, high-pitched screams, and melodic moments, he proved why he’s considered one of the best in the scene. Each scream cut through the room with a razor-sharp intensity, while his stage presence was magnetic, keeping the crowd locked in from start to finish. The band’s musicianship was equally impressive. Every member brought their A-game, with tight rhythm sections and blistering guitar solos that made every breakdown hit even harder. The technical prowess on display was mind-blowing, but it never overshadowed the raw emotion behind their music.

The setlist was perfectly curated, balancing their heaviest tracks with some fan favorites. “Spectral” hit especially hard live, with the crowd erupting into a mosh pit as the heavy riffs reverberated through the venue. The seamless transitions between songs kept the energy high, and the atmosphere remained electric throughout.

Overall, Drown in Sulphur’s performance at Satan’s Hollow was a masterclass in live deathcore. With insane vocals, crushing instrumentals, and a crowd that was just as invested in the performance as the band, this show is one that fans will be talking about for a long time. If you get the chance to catch them live, don’t hesitate—it’s an experience you won’t want to miss.

Words & images: Lauren Allard

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