Creeper Turn Brighton Chalk Into a Gothic Triumph
CREEPER + THE HOWLING @ BRIGHTON CHALK – 12TH APRIL 2026
Creeper arrive at a sold-out Brighton Chalk to promote their album Sanguivore II: Mistress of Death. In support, they bring The Howling, a new(ish) British alt-rock four-piece made up of former members of As Sirens Fall and James And The Cold Gun.
The Howling kick off with Little Promises, which, unexpectedly and bizarrely, to my ears, sounds more than a little like Billy Idol. Thankfully, there’s not the merest hint of Billy Idol to Incantation, which is far meatier and more individual. The drumming is awesome, and there’s an ace guitar figure to finish too.
Linger is fairly delicate to begin with, but that doesn’t last. The guitarist has a 1980s prog haircut, which I’m not sure is the kind of thing that should be encouraged—luckily, it doesn’t adversely affect his playing. New Religion begins quietly but grows in intensity and volume as the song progresses. It’s an exercise in sonic control that emphasises the level of collective experience the band already have.
The band cover Like A Prayer by Madonna. Obviously, it’s significantly heavier than the original, and I suppose it’s a bit of a laugh, but otherwise I don’t really see the point. Their own songs are so good that I’m sure they must have something else that could fill that slot. Honourable mention should be made of the bassist—alongside her playing she contributes backing vocals and some lead vocals, particularly during New Religion.
The Murder Capital is probably the most interesting song they play tonight, the second half slipping unexpectedly into ¾. This has been a really impressive set. It’s early in their career, but once The Howling get an album out, it won’t be long before they’re headlining.
I’m sure I’m not the only one, but I thought Creeper’s Sanguivore album was something of a masterpiece. Notwithstanding that, Sanguivore II: Mistress Of Death is as good, if not better. Therefore, I’m beyond delighted to discover that the entirety of tonight’s set is taken from the last two albums. Get in.
Before Creeper come onstage, we fittingly get a bit of Meat Loaf over the PA, followed by Billy Idol—he just keeps cropping up, doesn’t he? Their actual walk-on track is Patricia Morrison’s spoken word piece A Shadow Stirs. Opener Mistress Of Death has, by no means for the last time tonight, some utterly awesome dual lead guitar. Blood Magick owes a huge debt to Belinda Carlisle’s Heaven Is A Place On Earth. I couldn’t say whether it’s actionable, but it has a sweetness that the title doesn’t really warrant.
Bassist Sean Scott executes an impressive karate kick as the band launch into Lovers Led Astray. Vocalist Will Gould has an incredible range, moving from a Vincent Price baritone to blood-curdling screams. Hannah Greenwood comes out from behind her keyboards to take some lead vocals—she also has a great voice. They tell us they have “the best time ever” in Brighton. I bet they say that everywhere. Hannah turns in some awesome lead vocals on Headstones.
As Spook And Mercy is a ballad, Will asks us to put “lights in the air”. Most people oblige—one guy uses a lighter. Old school. The song is simultaneously dark and beautiful. The band have the crowd with them from the first note. I’m sure they could easily fill a bigger venue—the Dome perhaps? They get their first crowd surfer during Black Heaven. I’m surprised it’s taken so long. Razor Wire is a standout, featuring an outstanding Hannah Greenwood vocal.
We get a drum solo accompanied by rain and thunder effects. I’m really not a fan of drum solos—don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing amiss here, but it’s not on a par with Neil Peart or Ian Paice. Thankfully, it’s not too long. During Chapel Gates, Sean Scott puts his ear to one of the PA speakers. I can’t help doubting the wisdom of that move—maybe he’s concerned his ears won’t be ringing sufficiently by the end of the show.
Parasite is apparently “one for the lovers”, according to Will. I kind of see where he’s coming from, but it’s not exactly romantic, is it? Apparently, tonight is only the third time they’ve played Love And Pain from Sanguivore live. It certainly doesn’t sound like it—they’ve clearly been rehearsing hard.
More Than Death is dedicated to Will’s friends Marion and Carl. He was their best man, “just down the road from here”. Will tells us that “true love lasts forever, even in death”. The song is grand, emotional and beautiful, and he seems genuinely affected. He adds that “as the world gets darker, it’s moments like this that make life worth living”. 100% right.
The band are only briefly absent before returning for Further Than Forever, which features an incredible drum explosion about a quarter of the way through. It’s an epic, albeit a relatively short one. Cry To Heaven closes proceedings with one of the most stratospheric guitar solos of the night.
And what an evening. Creeper have been inspired, confident, accomplished and exciting—rocking like a very rocking thing. It’s been an assured performance. They’re built for arenas, no doubt—but tonight, Brighton got the intimate version, and it was pure magic.
WORDS: MARK KELLY PHOTOS: CRIS WATKINS
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