Live Review: Desert Storm, Famyne, & Burning Claw Massacre at The Black Heart, London (30/05/26)

It sure was a hot and sweaty one, but that’s not really a surprise now, is it? After all, Desert Storm are on fire at the moment. Not just because of the hugely successful European tour that they’ve been on, but because they released an album of the year contender in March. Called ‘Buried Under the Weight of Reason’, it comes via Heavy Psych Sounds and is genuinely brilliant. Here’s just a snippet of what we thought about it.

This is a high-powered, energised, and focused Desert Storm who have aimed to solidify their sludgy sound with more groove, more melody, and more experimental aspects than ever before. The resulting nine-track listen is impressively addictive and up there as one of the best releases of the year.

Read the full album review here.

So, it should also come as no surprise that this show was greatly anticipated, especially as the mighty Famyne were supporting. As were Burning Claw Massacre, a London-based heavy rock band with groove and soul running through their music like a bulging vein.

They opened the show, and while the crowd wasn’t exactly the liveliest, their music sure went down well, even with some guitar issues. I wasn’t familiar with them before, but a glut of anthemic tunes delivered with power and poise, especially the vocals, ensured I won’t be forgetting them any time soon.

Whereas Famyne have already earned a special place in my heart, and a show like this only adds an emphatic stamp on that.

Was it the best Famyne show ever? No, because nothing is going to top seeing them play the main stage at Bloodstock 2025 (at least until they do it again), but it was a damn good show none the less. Where they delivered a delicious cacophony of heavy rock, doom, psychedelia, grunge, and more. It was downright hypnotic at times. I can’t stress just how immersive a band they are, with instrumental heft that acts an anchor while the vocals cause the mind, body, and soul to soar.

Not to single anyone out, because all of Famyne are super-talented, but Tom might be one of the most underrated vocalists in the country.

In all honesty, looking back at the show, it was a night of vocalists stepping up as Desert Storm’s Matthew is also on mighty form. Not just delivering trademark gruff heaviness and melody, but playing up to the crowd, and doing everything possible to keep the energy at a high level.

Headliners through and through, this show was a celebration of ‘Buried Under the Weight of Reason’ and as much as they may have had fun, it was a distinctly serious showcase of what they can do. The word ‘focused’ comes to mind and for an hour, they pounded and smashed their way through a series of unforgettable head bangers that will stand the test of time.

It was a banging night overall.