Broken by the scream – live at Downstairs at The Dome, London. 2nd August 2026.

Downstairs at The Dome has become one of those venues where you know you’re going to see something different. Whether it’s an up-and-coming UK band or an international act making a rare London appearance, the smaller room has a way of making every show feel personal.

That was certainly the case on 2 August, as Japanese metal outfit Broken By The Scream brought their unique blend of idol pop and extreme metal to a packed crowd, with fellow Japanese group REO opening the evening.

REO

Opening the night were REO, a group who brought plenty of energy to the stage from the moment they walked out. Mixing bright pop melodies with rock influences, they quickly got the room moving and set a fun tone for the evening.

Although lighter in style than the headliners, there was no shortage of enthusiasm. The choreography was tight, the interaction with the crowd felt genuine, and it was clear they were enjoying every minute on stage. Even for people seeing them for the first time, they were easy to get behind.

As more people filtered into the venue, the atmosphere continued to build. By the end of their set, the room was full, the crowd was warmed up and there was a real sense of anticipation for what was coming next.

You can follow REO here:

BROKEN BY THE SCREAM

There really aren’t many bands that sound like Broken By The Scream.

Formed in Tokyo in 2016, the group has built an international following by combining two genres that, on paper, shouldn’t work together. Their music mixes the polished melodies and choreography of Japanese idol music with death metal, metalcore, and grindcore, switching between clean vocals and incredibly heavy screams, sometimes within the same verse.

It’s an unusual formula, but it’s one that has earned them fans well beyond Japan. Over the past few years, they’ve toured across Europe, appeared at international festivals, and developed a reputation for putting on live shows that are just as entertaining as they are technically impressive.

What could easily become a novelty instead feels surprisingly well thought out. Every member has a role to play, and despite how fast the songs move between styles, everything feels controlled rather than chaotic.

That came across straight away at Downstairs at The Dome. From the opening song, the crowd threw themselves into it. The room was packed, and it didn’t take long before the first mosh pits opened up. One minute people were singing along to catchy choruses, the next they were charging around the floor as the heavier sections kicked in.

The band’s energy never dipped. The choreography stayed sharp throughout, even while the music shifted from pop melodies to blast beats and crushing breakdowns. Pulling that off live is no easy task, but they made it look effortless.

One of the biggest strengths of the set was how much fun everyone seemed to be having. The band clearly enjoy performing together, and that carried over into the audience. There were smiles everywhere, whether people were dancing, moshing or simply trying to take in what they were watching.

The smaller setting made the whole experience even better. Fans were only a few feet away from the stage, and the interaction between songs felt relaxed and genuine. It gave the evening a much more personal feel than you would expect from a band that regularly tours internationally.

As the set went on, the crowd only became louder. Every heavy section was met with another pit, while the melodic choruses had plenty of people singing and clapping along. It never felt like two different audiences enjoying different parts of the music. Everyone bought into the whole experience.

REO REO got the night off to a strong start, bringing plenty of energy and getting the crowd involved early on. Broken By The Scream, then took that momentum and turned it into one of the most entertaining shows to pass through the venue this year.

It was loud, unpredictable, and a lot of fun from start to finish. Whether people had followed the band for years or were seeing them for the first time, everyone walked away, having experienced something they were unlikely to forget.