Beware of Darkness at The Islington

LA-based alt-rockers Beware of Darkness are a band very much in their infancy, so much so that tonight’s venue is the right size that you can see the back of the stage from the front of the entrance. Although, given the fact that this is Beware of Darkness’ first journey to London, its compact size is forgivable – the venue’s ill-suited fancy décor, however, is not. And it doesn’t go unnoticed by the band –“This is the first time we’ve played a living room,” they jokingly announce. 

Despite the fact The Islington couldn’t be more at odds with the band’s sound, as the trio tear into their all-too-brief set, it only takes a whole three seconds to realise that they could give a damn where they’re playing.

To describe their live show as unrestrained doesn’t quite do Beware the Darkness enough justice – unhinged possibly does.

Front-man Kyle Nicolaides might be unimposing off-stage, but once on it with his telecaster in-hand – he moves and plays like a man possessed. His vocal yelps and yowls have an undeniably enjoyable Perry Farrell-esque quality about them, and Daniel Curcio and Tony Cupito provide apt sonic support to his irrepressible guitar work with their thunderous bass lines and stomping drum beats.

It takes a mere three songs before Ghost Town’s frenzied outro sends Nicolaides into a crazed fret-board workout that sees his guitar slammed on to the stage floor with such gusto that it threatens to prematurely end their show.

However, they recover and make it through to the set’s climatic Howl – the lead track from their forthcoming debut album Orthodox. It’s a storming little number – replete with a gloriously fuzzy, driving, riff – that overflows with the kind of life-affirming irreverence that only rock n’ roll can provide.

Once you’ve been exposed to Beware of Darkness, you’ll be forever converted. 

Tom Yates
Photos: Luna Ingrassia

For further information and future events visit Beware of Darkness’s website here.

Watch the video for Howl here: