Zeal & Ardor’s return to London for their headline show at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire was nothing short of monumental. Known for blending black metal, blues, and spirituals, their rise has been meteoric, and to see them headlining such an iconic venue is a testament to their unique appeal. Fans filled the historic theatre, creating a palpable sense of anticipation for an unforgettable night of genre-defying soundscapes.
The evening kicked off with Zetra, who’s haunting, doom-infused set immediately captured the attention of early attendees. Their brooding melodies and ethereal presence created a slow-burning atmosphere, preparing the crowd for the intensity that was to follow. Zetra’s performance felt like a ritual, with heavy riffs and atmospheric synths swirling around the room, mesmerising those who had arrived early. Despite being an opener, they set the tone perfectly for what was to come.
As the lights dimmed once again, a ripple of excitement spread through the audience. Zeal & Ardor made their entrance with a roar, opening with ‘The Bird, The Lion and the Wildkin’ instantly immersing the crowd in their distinctive sonic universe. From the very first note, Manuel Gagneux and his bandmates commanded the stage with an intensity that matched the fervour of the fans. The haunting ‘Wake of a Nation’ followed, its chilling lyrics and thunderous instrumentation sending shivers through the crowd.
Zeal & Ardor’s set list was a rollercoaster of emotions, shifting seamlessly from the aggressive ‘Götterdämmerung’ to the soul-stirring ‘Gravedigger’s Chant’. The diversity of their sound was on full display as they moved between the raw power of tracks like ‘Ship on Fire’ and ‘Erase’ to the haunting beauty of ‘Blood in the River’ a song that had the entire crowd swaying in unison.
The midway point of the show saw a particularly powerful rendition of ‘Tuskegee’ where Gagneux’s vocal performance felt almost otherworldly, his voice soaring over the venue with both rage and sorrow. The crushing riffs of ‘Kilonova’ and the incendiary energy of ‘Run’ kept the intensity at its peak, while the haunting ‘Golden Liar’ provided a moment of eerie calm amidst the chaos.
As the night progressed, the band reached into their extensive catalogue, performing fan favourites like ‘Sugarcoat’ and ‘Death to the Holy’ before unleashing the ferocious ‘Feed the Machine’ which saw the crowd erupt into a frenzy. The synergy between the band and the audience was electric, with every song greeted by deafening cheers and raised fists.
For their encore, Zeal & Ardor delivered a breath-taking trio of tracks, closing with the anthemic ‘Devil Is Fine’ which had the entire venue singing along. The night ended on a high with ‘Built on Ashes’ and the blistering ‘I Caught You’ leaving the audience in awe of the sheer power and emotion the band brought to the stage.
Zeal & Ardor’s performance tonight was nothing short of spectacular. Their ability to fuse genres and create something entirely their own is a rare gift, and this show proved they are a force to be reckoned with. This wasn’t just a gig; it was a sonic journey, and the sold-out crowd left knowing they had witnessed something truly special.
Review and All Photos By Nick Davarias Photography
https://www.instagram.com/nick.davarias/
Zeal & Ardor Gallery
