There’s something reassuring about a proper death metal triple bill on a cold February night. No gimmicks, no posturing; just heavy riffs, ear-shattering volume and a room full of people who know exactly why they’re there. That’s exactly what we got at KK’s Steel Mill on Friday as Kataklysm rolled into Wolverhampton with Vader and Blood Red Throne on the Freedom or Death European & UK tour.
And from the outset, it was clear this was going to be a strong one.
Blood Red Throne (10) don’t make it over to the UK often, which made their opening slot feel like something of an event in itself. Judging by the crowd reaction, plenty of people had turned up specifically for them, and they absolutely delivered.
They wasted no time getting stuck in with Unleashing Hell and Beneath The Means, setting a ferocious tone early on. The set was tight but relentless: Every Silent Plea, Itika, and a crushing Vermicular Heresy all hit with dirty chunky riffs that weight in one. By the time they closed with Smite, the room was fully locked in.
What stood out wasn’t just the brutality, it was the energy. There was a real sense of appreciation from the crowd and a brilliant moment came when the crowd broke into an impromptu chorus of Happy Birthday for bassist Ivan Gujić after the set wrapped up, a genuinely warm, human moment that came out of a brutal set. Love was there, no matter what.
After their set, the merch stand was swarmed. I spoke to a few people who openly said they were there primarily for Blood Red Throne. That says a lot.
They were undoubtedly the surprise stars of the night. If the reception they received is anything to go by, hopefully it won’t be long before they’re back on UK soil.
Next up were the ever-reliable Vader (9). Death metal OG’s, and they always perform like a band that's having a party.
Their set leaned into both power and tightness. Opening with their mid 90’s Sothis and Fractal Light, they quickly reminded everyone why they’ve maintained such longevity. Wings, The One Made Of Dreams, and Reign Forever World showcased their trademark blend of aggression, speed and clarity.
Mid-set highlights included Cold Demons, This Is The War, and Lead Us!, with the latter sparking a particularly strong reaction from the front rows. The closing run of Triumph Of Death, Carnal, and GID sealed things with their death metal mortar
The Imperial March aside, Vader don’t need theatrics. They’re polished, professional and brutally consistent. Watching them live is like watching a masterclass in controlled chaos: tight, efficient and utterly commanding.
By the time Kataklysm (10) took the stage, the room was full of death metal energy. And to their credit, they met the moment.
They opened with Soul Destroyer, immediately setting the tempo high, before powering through Thy Serpents Tongue and Goliath. The sound was dirty and heavy, properly loud in the best possible way, but allowing their riffs to blanket you!
Tracks like Die As A King, Taking The World By Storm, and Blood On The Swans landed particularly well, while the drum solo midway through gave the crowd a brief moment to regroup before diving back into the chaos.
The latter half of the set, As I Slither, Bringer Of Vengeance, Crippled & Broken, Narcissist, and a closing Elevate, kept the energy high. The crowd response never dipped; there were plenty of grins in the pit and more than a few sore necks by the end of it.
Kataklysm played heavy. They played loud. They were engaging throughout. You could tell they were enjoying themselves, and that translated directly into the room.
All three bands brought something slightly different to the table, but together they made for a genuinely strong bill.
Blood Red Throne arguably stole the show, Vader reminded everyone why they’re legends, and Kataklysm delivered a powerful headline set that kept the room moving until the last note.
The crowd were in great spirits all night; loud, supportive and clearly having a fantastic time.
All in all, a brilliant night of uncompromising death metal in Wolverhampton. Exactly what a Friday night should be.
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