Goths and metal fans of Glasgow took over the city’s iconic venue King Tut’s Wah-Wah Hut as it played host to The Defiled’s first headline tour in Support of 2013’s Daggers, the No Place Like Home Tour.
First up are The Killing Lights [6] (featuring Micheal vampire, formerly of Vampires Everywhere!) who deliver a brand of gothed up rock and roll that feels very aged. Sections of the crowd seem to really enjoy the set, and although it feels like we’ve been seeing bands do this countless times before they were pretty enjoyable.
Main support comes from Butcher Babies [8] playing their first ever Scottish show. Their reputation has obviously preceded them, based on the chatter of the crowd before the band’s arrival onstage. But the Glasgow crowd, who were expecting nothing but a bit of eye candy, are treated to a great set of heavy, in-your-face metal. It was great to see the majority of the crowd being won over by the band, whose debut album is about to be released in the UK.
The Defiled [9] have always had a strong relationship with Glasgow crowds. They’ve called the city their ‘second home’ a number of times now as almost every time the band play Glasgow something great happens. Tonight’s show is no different. With a set that draws heavily for 2013’s Daggers The Defiled demonstrate exactly why people have been raving about them for years. Launching straight into the crushing Sleeper and following it with the White Zombie bounce of As I Drown it’s clear that the band are on top form. To end the main set, front man Stitch D and keyboardists (and all round general lunatic) The AvD perform a heart wrenching acoustic performance of Five Minutes that receives a rapturous ovation from the Glasgow faithful. The crowd are then treated to the full band returning to the stage to hit a one-two punch of anthems from previous album Grave Times. In The Land Of Fools followed by Call To Arms, which remains as catchy as ever. For The Defiled, there may be no place like home, but at least Glasgow comes close.
