It seems like only yesterday that modern metal quartet JILUKA were last in the UK (it was, in fact, 26th June 2024 when they appeared at The Underworld, Camden Town) but such is the buzz surrounding the band that they, like the proverbial boomerang, make a welcome return, this time graduating to the bigger Dome venue in Tufnell Park.
JILUKA – The Dome, London on 06.09.2024
This might be the band’s second London gig in 9 weeks, but the appetite for all things JILUKA is only increasing and a queue begins to form outside the venue in the afternoon sunshine as early birds and VIP ticket holders jostle for prime position. Such is the strong visual kei aesthetic the band have that it seeps through into their fans and there are certainly some colourful characters outside The Dome. The overarching feeling is one of Beatlemania (younger readers might have to Google that) and it only heightens once we’re inside the venue as an unending line snakes from the merchandise table.
There’s no support band tonight and that’s something I’ve always found a little strange; an opening band can help create an air of anticipation, yet considering that everyone is here for the headliners, a support act would seem a little superfluous. On the plus side, it means that there’s less time to wait for JILUKA and with the stage bathed in blood red light each band member enters individually and each is welcomed with an ear-splitting scream. Yet, it is collectively where JILUKA hold most power, and if you need proof then look no further than opening track BLVCK. Sounding far bigger than their constituent parts, when JILUKA lock in together they become a powerhouse that’s an unstoppable force. Those breakdowns that pepper their songs explode with thermonuclear ferocity and they send shock waves that reverberate throughout the venue.
With their humanoid costumes and androgynous appearance, JILUKA look like aliens who have been beamed down to Earth and they play with a mechanical precision which suggests that they are not of this world. Bass player, Boogie, in particular is stony faced and betrays no emotion while guitarist Sena plays a succession of spellbinding solos with fingers that are a blur as they race up and down the fretboard. Vocalist Ricko radiates charisma and just one look at the crowd sends them into raptures. and he coerces the crowd into plenty of fist banging action, yet the band’s (not so) secret weapon is drummer Zyean whose hypnotic rhythms lock the whole crowd into his unique groove. There’s no signs of flagging or dip in energy levels as JILUKA deliver a greatest hits type set that stops at all points of the band’s career with an extended version of ‘Ablaze’ and set closer VENФM being particularly potent.
Of course, the band return for two well deserved (and well earned) encores, but when they reappear it is in a more relaxed mode, in more human form, with t-shirts replacing their costumes. Each member engages and has a little fun with the crowd, it’s almost like a different band and adds some light relief to contrast the heavy metal to which we’ve been treated. However, when the band launch into the couplet of Ajna and Obliterator they are all business, delivering two tracks that ensures that this gig will live long in the memory.
Set List:
1. BLVCK
2. S4VAGE
3. KUMARI
4. BaLa-DeDa
5. Screamer
6. Lethal Affliction
7. Drum Solo
8. Twisted Pain
9. Eclipse
10. SUZAKU
11. Ablaze
12. Raison d’etre
13. OVERKILL
14. VENФMEncores:
15. Ajna
16. Obliterator
Photography by Jim Grant/Wonderlens
Many thanks to Kinetic Vibe and FAKE STAR
