Live Review: DREAMCRUSH EU/UK Tour – MØL with Tayne and Cold Night for Alligators at The Underworld, London (12/02/26)

What a year it has been so far. Not just because we’ve had some banger records, but because we’ve also had some banger shows too. Seriously, we have had contenders for the best of the year already in both categories.

One such band who entered 2026 with a bang is MØL. Releasing the incredible DREAMCRUSH a few weeks ago (read our review here) and spending most of February on tour around Europe and the UK. Alongside Tayne and Cold Night for Alligators, the Underworld played host to them when they stopped by in London, and what a night it was.

Did it sell out in the end? It felt like it was, and this is one of the rare times that getting as close as possible was a must for me. It should be no secret that MØL are one of my favourite bands in the world and DREAMCRUSH is fast becoming the pinnacle of everything they have done to date. This coming from someone who thinks previous albums Jord and Diorama are basically untouchable. So, it should come as no surprise that I was very excited to see what a live show from MØL that includes new music would sound like.

Spoilers: I came away very fucking happy.

Before that though, let me mention the support, starting with the excellent Cold Night for Alligators. A band I knew nothing about, but a band who won themselves at least one new fan that night with a powerful showcase of modern progressive metalcore. Offering up a hypnotic showcase that has layers of forward-thinking metal and melody. I thought they sounded great and looked so at ease too.

Speaking of looking at ease and sounding great. It’s Tayne, who have reached the unmissable stage of their live performance. Meaning they are unmissable and if you can, you should see them and experience the maddening blend of industrial noise and pop that they offer. I’ve seen them a few times, and they’ve never looked so confident on stage, especially as new music (which is aired here) is sounding pretty damn good. I’ve enjoyed Tayne every time I’ve seen them, but this time round, I enjoyed them just that little bit more, and looking around the room, I don’t think I was alone.

Which brings me back to MØL and what is, now, my favourite show of the year so far, and all because of my personal affinity with the band.

With three incredible albums (plus EPs) to draw from, it’s no surprise that it’s a setlist missing a few favourites, but honestly, I would have been happy had they just played DREAMCRUSH in full. When you’ve got a back catalogue this strong, they can pretty much play anything and they’ll still wow. In London, what MØL delivered came with unbridled passion, eye-watering intensity, emotional depth and potent authenticity. This was special, and all because it felt like no-one else was in the room. Which is saying something considering how packed it was.

One listen to DREAMCRUSH will tell you all you need to know about the evolved state of MØL, but how does that evolved state translate to the stage? Really damn well as Hud, Garland, Young, and CRUSH prove. It shows just how much confidence MØL have in the album too that it’s Hud that opens the show. Personally, I loved that as it’s up there as one of my favourites on DREAMCRUSH. I was blown away by just how strong the new stuff sounds and effortlessly they sit alongside tracks from Jord and Diorama. This does speak volumes about just how tight the band are, and special mention must go to Kim, who is doing some crazy vocal style changes live and with ease (seemingly).

Speaking of the second album, Diorama though. I’ll be honest, I almost burst into tears when Serf was aired, even though Vestige came first. It’s a track that has helped focus my mind when I’ve felt myself spiralling because of pressures elsewhere. I adore that track and it’s one of my favourite MØL tracks overall. Though how good is Photophobic live?

It didn’t take long for a track to come from Jord and, delightfully, it was Penumbra that got aired first. It’s one of the most mesmerising tracks performed. Then there is Ligament, an easily overlooked Jord effort and the stunning title track from that album. However, if you had asked me what track you’d like them to end the show with from Jord, I’m 99% sure that I would have chosen Bruma, and that is what we get.

A breathtaking finish to a show that will live long in the memory. I do tend to gush about this band, but for good reason. Roll on the next time they’re back. I’ll see you there again, down the front.