To celebrate the launch of Death of Me’s frankly fantastic debut EP, Hell’s Where You Make It, Love’s How You Fake It, music lovers ventured down to Morley Street’s The Underground on Friday evening for a night of live music, beers and one of the venue’s latest additions – Pringles (I’ve been excited about it, okay?)
The show kicked off with Hytrin, a duo that can only be described as deliberately disconcerting. Their loud and aggressive performance aimed to create as much noise as two people could possibly make with a guitar and drum kit, performing with such force that Mercury’s Dean Boon had to hop on stage to rescue a falling snare. It was as if they had harnessed the chaos of the universe and unleashed it upon the listeners – their deliberate discordance and out-of-tune melodies creating an atmosphere of unease that was both visceral and oddly intriguing.
Next up was Myria, their performance a burst of vitality, barely stopping to catch their breath between tracks. Their fuzz-filled set offered a shot of adrenaline, injecting raw energy into the atmosphere as they performed some of their most recent releases like Wasting Time, See You, and Infront of Me. It was intriguing to see these singles – previously reviewed on The Leopheard – brought to life in a live format, deepening my appreciation for their craft as I caught them live for the first time.
Embracing the last of Summer23 was Mercury, a powerhouse rock four-piece characterised by haunting melodies and huge, expertly executed breakdowns. Their sonic spectacle saw tracks from their two previous dual-single releases Spring23 and Summer23 performed with full force, After and Feverfew being particular highlights as each and every member heeded Willow Smith’s advice to whip their hair – and boy have they got enough of it between them.
Death of Me doesn’t offer merely a performance – it’s an all-consuming experience, the stage adorned with candelabras, dozens of flickering lights and a microphone stand wrapped with roses. Arriving on stage, the band wasted no time in immersing the audience in their emotionally charged world of post-hardcore and emo rock. The four-piece promised a journey through the deepest recesses of human emotion, and Death of Me delivered on every front as they performed Hell’s Where You Make It, Love’s How You Fake It, pretty much in order from top to bottom..
Jim Carter’s haunting vocals filled the venue as they opened with their debut single from the record Your Heart, The Casket, which has received well-deserved national radio airtime including on BBC Radio One and Kerrang Radio. This record is one of the best to come, not just out of Staffordshire, but out of the underground music scene in the UK as a whole this year. And I say that with my whole chest.
Jim’s vocals and stage presence are nothing short of remarkable. His ability to transition from beautifully melodic to powerfully emotive is highly impressive – but not nearly as mesmerising as his range. The live rendition of Cry was an immersive experience, with the audience getting lost in the melancholic lyrics, but it’s Mike Foxall’s solo that soars for this track, while True Blue’s atmospheric build-up served as a powerful backdrop for Carter’s cathartic chorus. Mike’s mastery of his instrument sees him navigate intricate melodies and powerful riffs. Whether it be crafting ethereal atmospheres in slower tracks or unleashing explosive breakdowns during the heavier moments, he does so with the apparent ease and confidence that only comes with years of dedication.
Behind the kit, Rob Barnes displayed remarkable stamina and creativity throughout the set, his precise and powerful drumming infectious, while Luke Gordon’s basslines – essential in creating the band’s signature sound – anchored each track and was crucial in maintaining the band’s tight cohesion. The set concluded with The Long Lost Art To Never Falling Apart and Choice Words and Cursive, Jim thanking everyone for their attendance and their support of the record. It was one of those rare moments where time seemed to fly by, the crowd wishing for the night to stretch on if only for one more track – for the music to linger a little longer.
The Death of Me set was an absolute masterclass in musicianship, their chemistry on stage is authentic, their performance tight, proving that they’re not only skilled musicians but passionate artists who poured their hearts and souls into their art. The EP release show was a testament to their artistry, their recorded material translating into a phenomenal live show during which my only complaint was that it didn’t last longer.
Stoke-on-Trent’s music scene has undoubtedly found a gem in Death of Me, and their journey is one that music enthusiasts should eagerly follow. Friday’s gig was a reminder that great music has the power to transport us, even if only for a fleeting moment, to a place where everything feels beautifully alive and electrifying.