LIVE: Cradle of Filth + DevilDriver – Perth | Boorloo, 16 July 2026

LIVE: Cradle of Filth + DevilDriver – Perth | Boorloo, 16 July 2026
The Astor, Perth, Western Australia
Reviewed by Ayla Simpson
Photography by Linda Dunjey

The rain had been falling over Perth for the better part of the day, but if anything, it only heightened the mood as metal fans streamed into the Astor Theatre. Leather jackets, battle vests and war paint packed the foyer. A winter downpour and a Thursday night weren’t going to stop the oncoming annihilation brought by the combined forces of Cradle of Filth and DevilDriver. Perth was ready.

DevilDriver wasted no time igniting the room. It was immediately obvious that Dez Fafara was in complete command. His stage presence was every bit as fierce as expected, but what stood out most was the genuine connection he maintained with the crowd throughout the performance.

Even when The Astor’s sound produced the occasional piercing burst of feedback, Dez remained composed and professional, never allowing technical issues to derail the momentum. Instead, his focus remained firmly fixed on the crowd, owning the entirety of that stage.

That connection became most evident when a fight broke out in the crowd. Dez calling it out, asking security to remove those involved before reminding everyone that, “nobody fights at my show! We gotta look out for each other”. It was a simple moment that spoke volumes about the respect he has for his fans.

The intensity only escalated from there. Relentless circle pits, an army of raised middle fingers and clenched fists fuelled the chaos in a symbiotic exchange between band and audience. Following “Sail” came an invitation to open up the pit, as there would be “no f*kn encores!” The message was received loud and clear as fans launched themselves into one final frenzy. “Swinging the Dead” left the crowd drenched in sweat and still wanting more.

You certainly wouldn’t have guessed this was the final stop of the Australian tour. DevilDriver remained in blistering form, once again delivering the cathartic, crushing performance fans have come to expect. By the sets end, there were undoubtedly shredded vocal cords, aching necks and countless grins.

After the powerhouse that is DevilDriver, something in the atmosphere began to shift. Smoke drifted across the darkened stage as eerie orchestral arrangements, haunting narration and unsettling strings echoed throughout the venue. Cradle of Filth emerged. The theatrical introduction perfectly complemented the bleak weather outside.

Dani Filth’s unmistakable shrieks and growls remained remarkably consistent throughout the set. Between songs he kept the banter minimal, aside from the occasional “Anyhoo…” and “Make some noise, you flaming galahs,” delivered with the tongue-in-cheek humour we’ve all come to expect.

The band’s musicianship was impressive, while synchronised windmills from Daniel Firth (bass), Donny Burbage (guitar) and Joff Bailey (guitar) sent the front row into a frenzy. Later, draped beneath a crimson lace hood, Kelsey Peters (keyboards/backing vocals) added another layer to the gothic spectacle, her haunting presence making the darker passages even more immersive.

As the set progressed, the audience gradually became more animated, particularly during a treat for the purists: the 32-year-old “The Principle of Evil Made Flesh,” which sparked a circle pit. “Nymphetamine (Fix)” was an obvious crowd favourite, with voices echoing throughout the theatre, while “Bathory Aria” saw an entire row link together, bowing in unison.

While DevilDriver delivered pure groove-fuelled aggression, Cradle of Filth offered a theatrical journey built on atmosphere, darkness and technical precision. Together, the two bands created a memorable night that demonstrated why they continue to command fiercely loyal followings decades into their careers. That pairing of contrasts is precisely why this tour worked so well.

 

Category: Live Reviews, Photo Galleries