LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS: FIT FOR A KING AT THE ELECTRIC BALLROOM, LONDON 24/03/26

There are two ways to look at the current state of the UK music scene. The cynics amongst us might lament about declining ticket sales and occasional venue downgrades, but something key is changing in booking trends, and for fans looking for value for money from their ticket price and precious week-night evenings, it's nothing but good news. Fit For a King brought the value for money with a trio of heavy hitters for the Lonely God tour. On the final night of the UK leg, the Electric Ballroom in Camden was packed to the rafters right from the relatively early doors.

156/silence made the trip from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania worth it with a furious, chaotic set of skilled metalcore. From the opening notes of ‘Target Acquired’ the quintet provided a relentless foray into a dark haunting heaviness. 

A year on from the passing of their bassist Lukas Booker, 156/Silence have persevered through hardship to remain a cohesive unit. Latest single- ‘Our Parting Ways’ is one of the winners in the room. melodic and heartbreaking in one stroke, with brutal moments, the whole experience is raw and authentic.

"The next song, I need you to give me a wall of death," Vocalist Jack Murray instructed for ‘Better Written Villain’ and the crowd obliged happily. It is a genuinely heart-warming experience to see an opening act, especially on a stacked bill, receive so much love. The 156/Silence fans were definitely packing out the room in force.

“London, England, this is our first time here and I promise we'll be back," Murray vowed. And with a reception like that, how could they not?

Acres from Portsmouth followed, latest album ‘The Host’ fresh on their heels but on the night also leaning on 2023’s ‘Burning Throne’ for the singalongs. ‘Nothing’ demonstrated the melodic-cum-intense variety of the band's sound.

"We are so stoked to be a part of this line up”, vocalist Ben Lumber beamed before asking if there were any crowd surfers in the room for ‘My Everything’, the crowd accommodated, launching multiple bodies over the barrier.

Aside from continuing to support Fit for a King on their Lonely God tour across the remaining dates in Europe and then on the US and Canada leg, the band don't have anything else in the diary. Home fans will surely be hoping for at least a cheeky festival appearance over the summer.

Memphis May Fire from Denton Texas in support is crazy work. The legendary Alt-metallers formed way back in 2006 have made their name and paid their dues and are more than capable of pulling their own rowdy and excitable crowd. This billing is a perfect example of how fans are now getting value for money with their ticket purchase, shows nowadays frequently becoming mini festival lineups rather than a single headliner with relatively unknown support. 

The Texan quartet stormed through a set that only increased in energy, beginning with ‘The Sinner' from early album ‘The Hollow’, through ‘Bleed Me Dry’ from the 2022 album ‘Remade in Misery’, to the raucous, instant classic, ‘Chaotic’ from the band's most recent album ‘Shapeshifter’ released only a year ago. Memphis May Fire are a perfect example of a band formed in the heyday of warped tour bands, that have endured and adapted to the modern revival of alternative music.

“There's one thing I've learned- I cannot run from the one thing I wanna run from. If you feel that, I want you to sing this with me.” Frontman Matty Mullins spoke from the heart in his introduction to the eminent track- ‘Misery’. “We didn't know what to expect having been gone so long but you're already making us feel so welcome”, he continued. 

The last time Memphis May Fire were in the UK was over a decade ago in 2015 on the UK version of the Vans Warped Tour, the fans in the room at the Electric Ballroom had indeed waited an immense amount of time to see the hardcore quartet return. With plenty of new music since their last visit though, the wait was certainly worth it with fans bringing the cheeky energy, with relentless bouncing around and even conga lines forming in the mosh pits.

The dynamic in the room switched up for Fit for a King, with the second Texan band of the night bringing a more melodic, measured and somewhat grown-up vibe to proceedings.

Formed in 2007 as a Christian metal band, Fit for a King's music has evolved over the years but kept the same intensity, passion and personal themes.

‘Lonely God’, The newest album and tour namesake released last August forms the backbone of the headline set, featuring eleven of the twelve songs on the record.

The crowd is held rapt from the start of the deep and urgent ‘Begin the Sacrifice’. Ryan Kirby’s vocals range from smooth to fierce, mixed with the brutal breakdowns that guitarists Bobby Lynge and Daniel Gailey along with bassist Ryan O’Leary and Drummer Trey Celaya execute with complete precision. These, the icing on top of a fully formed emotional journey.

‘Extinction’ is an example of a heavier moment from the album. It is relentless from the very start and the moment where the pits in the room really get going. This does not go unnoticed by Kirby who happily declared, ‘Now we're getting started!’

‘Monolith’ is also a winner of the night. Chuggy and funky at the same time, the track is much more than a headbanger- it feels more like it takes over the whole body.

“Back in 2020 we tried to write a record that wasn't just sad” Kirby explained before the band took it back to a year that many will remember for different reasons. For Fit for a King fans though 2020 was the year of ‘The Path’ and 'Breaking the Mirror’ is the representative from this era. The vibe of this part of Fit for a King's career, is indeed illustrated by a slightly lighter musicality, positivity and hope front and centre, 

“We got a couple more and they are heavy ones”, Kirby warned “Everyone bang their heads, this is Technium”. The room does more than bang their heads, with crowd surfers once again out in full force. “My friends in the pit, you know what time it is”, he teased before the breakdown.

Title track ‘Lonely God’ continued the carnage before an encore of ‘When Everything Means Nothing’ and ‘Witness The End’ drew the night to a close.

Even though the UK part of the Lonely God tour ended in Camden, Fit for a King are far from heading home. The rest of Europe awaits before it is the US and Canada's turn to throw down in the pits. The rest of Europe treated to the same lineup, then Invent Animate and others joining on the North American leg.

Whatever the combination of lineup, Fit for a King fans on both continents should prepare themselves for the chaos that's about to come to their city.

Words by Imogen Bird

Photos by Charis Lydia Bagioki