From the haunting opening to the explosive encore, Creeper delivered a fully immersive experience that showcased the band’s flair for drama and musical ambition. This was not just a concert, but a dark celebration of a new era — one that hints the story is far from over.

Words and photos by Josephine Best (@josephinexbest) | June 3, 2025

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Friday night saw all the vamps and ghouls descend upon Camden for a frightfully perfect evening, as Creeper took to the stage at Koko to perform their latest album, Sanguivore, in its entirety.

With fan events scattered around Camden throughout the day, anticipation was at fever pitch. A hearse parked ominously outside the venue and signs reading “The End is Nigh” added to the sense of eerie spectacle, especially with the last time Creeper played Koko in 2018, they “broke up”. The iconic venue was packed to the rafters, transformed into a sweaty bat cave of eager fans, as ominous classical music set the tone for the night’s theatrical horrors.

As the curtains parted, Darcia – the band’s vampire familiar – took to the mic to warn the crowd: “Sit back, behave yourselves, and try to keep blood off the carpet.” It was a fitting welcome into the world of Sanguivore, arguably the band’s most ambitious and fully realised era and album to date.

The show opened with the haunting Further Than Forever, one by one, the band emerged in full gothic regalia – leather-clad and pale-faced. The crowd’s anticipation peaked as frontman William Van Ghould finally appeared, in his signature leather jacket, gloves, and sunglasses. It felt like goth Elvis had just entered the building, and the room erupted in pure adoration.

When I first heard Sanguivore in full after its October 2023 release, I thought: This is an album that demands to be experienced as a whole. Its rich, grotesque lore and emotional depth are brought to life by the musical prowess of each member. Hearing it live tonight felt like a privilege – a true celebration of the body of work that elevated Creeper to another level.

Highlights included Cry to Heaven,  which marked a clear shift in energy and effortlessly transitioned into the electrifying Sacred Blasphemy. My personal standout moment came during Lovers Led Astray, with its seductive blend of dark soul and funk, with Hannah Hermione stepping to the front giving the track an extra punch. Once again seamlessly blending into Teenage Sacrifice and then into Chapel Gates – a relentless sprint of crowd-surfing chaos erupted that left little room to breathe.

The set drew to a close with the devastatingly beautiful More Than Death, dedicated by Van Ghould to his long-time partner Charlotte. The audience echoed each lyric with reverence, adding a layer of communal catharsis to the finale.

But the night wasn’t over yet…

To roaring applause, Creeper returned for an encore of fan favourites and cult classics, Cyanide, Annabelle, and the long-awaited return of Misery, a track that old-school fans had been clamouring for.

As the final notes rang out, Van Ghould teased, “Who thinks this might be the last crowd we ever play to?” The curtains fell—but not before one final twist. A vintage horror-style film played on the big screen, depicting Van Ghould being staked in the eye. Gasps turned to cheers as a new title card appeared, Sanguivore II: The Mistress of Death.This wasn’t the end. It was the next chapter.

Creeper remain masters of myth-making, and tonight proved that they’re only just getting started. The best may be yet to come.