How do you describe a band like CLOUDIAN? It almost feels impossible, until you hear them live. Only then does it begin to make sense. Only then do you understand that what you are witnessing is not simply a rock band, but an extraordinary band.

Formed in Busan over eight years ago as a six-member group, CLOUDIAN have never been content with following trends. Their music exists in a space where rock and metal meet cinematic orchestration, where Western structures are reinterpreted through Korean musical traditions. Now performing as a trio – Brighten, OM, and Logan – nothing essential has been lost; if anything, they are arguably more powerful.

Opening their European tour in London at The Courtyard Theatre, CLOUDIAN came out strong with an instrumental intro. OM’s violin filled the room with a haunting sound, soon backed by Logan’s powerful drumming. After this, the band began their set with Bad Bad Boyfriend, a track that’s rock in its purest, most unfiltered form. You Will See was next, bringing with it an explosive energy that reminded me of the intensity of bands like Coldrain. It was the kind of performance that leaves little room to stand still – one might even find themselves spilling a drink mid-jump. Remarkably, Brighten’s vocals remained consistently strong throughout the night, even as he openly acknowledged being unwell; however, there was no compromise in his delivery.

Start Over offered a softer moment, allowing the audience to recalibrate before the band moved gears once more. Their covers – ranging from a rock interpretation of Taylor Swift’s Shake It Off to a surprisingly engaging version of Bruno Mars and Rose’s APT. – showed the ability to take a different familiar material with personality and edge. In many ways, these covers were more alive than their originals.

Reckless One, introduced as a song dedicated to those pushing beyond their limits, was, as promised, an emotional one. OM’s violin work here was particularly vital. Brighten’s rap delivery added another dimension, showing the band’s refusal to be boxed into one genre. If Reckless One brought emotion, You Got Me Through This showed a softer, more vulnerable side. Played acoustically with Brighten seated, the song created an intimate moment for those gathered in the venue.

Faded Night, their new release as a trio, proved that CLOUDIAN can create powerful music even in their current three-member formation. The performance was stunning, showing their growth and cohesion as a unit. Similarly, tracks like New Wave and Gardener presented their complex arrangements, with violin, guitar, and drums intertwined naturally. One of the most compelling aspects of CLOUDIAN’s artistry is its integration of traditional Korean elements. The use of the buk, a percussion instrument central to pansori (Korean narrative singing), is far more than decorative; it carries a very important cultural meaning. In Shield of Guardian, this influence was visible. The rhythmic intensity of the buk, masterfully adapted by Logan on modern instruments, paired with Brighten’s vocals, at times reflecting the emotional qualities of pansori, created something rare and extraordinary: a true fusion of heritage and contemporary rock.

As someone outside of Korean culture but appreciative of its history and artistic traditions, this moment gave me goosebumps. There is something incredibly precious about witnessing traditional forms not only preserved but reinterpreted within a modern context. For a listener raised on rock and heavy music, this mix does feel necessary. It expands the genre, reminding us that rock, at its centre, has always been about expression and evolution.

The latter part of the set continued to impress, with tracks like Faint Throne (cover) and heavier pieces such as Onslaught / Flaming pushing the band into more aggressive territory. A brief mash-up nodding to Linkin Park and Bring Me The Horizon emphasised their versatility, beautifully connecting influences across generations.

Closing with CLOUDIAN, the track that gave the band its name, was truly symbolic and powerful. There was a sense of completion, of returning to their origins while standing firmly in the present. Musically, it carried the grandeur of Scandinavian rock and metal, bringing to mind bands like Opeth or Ghost, yet it remained distinctly their own. The crowd, unwilling to let the night end, demanded more, and CLOUDIAN delivered with a final encore: Golden from K-pop Demon Hunters. It was a fitting conclusion, very uplifting and energetic.

CLOUDIAN is a special band; their live performance was sublime, and one can only hope they return to London soon!

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Written by Maggie Gogler

_{View of the Arts is an online publication dedicated to film, music, and the arts, with a strong focus on the Asian entertainment industry. As we continue to grow, we aim to deepen our coverage of Asian music while remaining committed to exploring and celebrating creativity across the global arts landscape.}