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Infected Rain at The Underworld

Infected Rain are one of those bands I thought I really ought to be into. A modern, European metalcore band with female vocals, what’s not to like? But I just couldn’t get on with the Ecdysis album. I persevered and when the band released a few tracks from the Time album in advance of its release, I listened, but they didn’t really work for me and I almost gave up. Then a few weeks later Time came out, I tried again and was just blown away. Not just daily listens, but multiple dailey listens.

Then it was announced they would be playing at the Underworld at the end of August and a quick check revealed almost everything they’re currently playing live is from Time with a couple of older songs thrown in. It should be perfect, but, as I’ve blogged before, the sound at the Underworld can be hit and miss. Then my wife said she wanted to go and that was that!

We went and it was amazing! The band hit the stage, and while the sound wasn’t perfect, still not enough guitar in the mix, it sounded great. The songs were easily recognisable. Lena’s vocals were clear and so strong. She gave a solid performance throughout. She engaged with the crowd throughout and after the second song, acknowledged to the crowd that someone had fainted just before they came on, wished them well and told us to look after ourselves. I haven’t seen a band with this much energy for quite some time. Lena seemed to be everywhere all at once and Alice (bass) seemed to be constantly moving and swapping places with the guitarist. A couple of songs before the end, my wife told me she loved it too. All too soon it was over, but Lena told us a few of them would be at the merch stand after the gig, so we hung around.

My wife (42) had only been able to stand for the first few songs and while she sat for the rest I was a few metres away, standing watching the band, when a young man in his early twenties clearly thought she was fair game and started chatting her up. I watched with amusement as she smiled and pointed me out to him and the look on his face as he passed by me was a picture!

When Lena and Alice came out to take pictures with the crowd, I’m sorry to say I went all fanboy. I got a photo with them both and proceeded to tell Alice I thought she was amazing and that she was the main reason I’d come! We bought t-shirts and I was still bouncing as we left the Underworld, and all the way back to the hotel if I’m honest.


My wife wants to see them again in January.



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