When OGUN returned after a fourteen year hiatus a couple of years ago, it might not have been in anyone’s minds that it would take them to their first studio album. But it has, and tonight sees the culmination of their hard work and efforts. This show at District in Liverpool serves not only as a headline gig for the band to launch their album “World of Hate”, but also allows us to see some of the best thrash that the area has to offer, as well as a progressive treat in a band we’ve not seen for a while.

The night kicks off with Scare Tactics, a band that has been away from the stage for a couple of years but whose return is met with eager anticipation. As soon as they start playing, it's clear that the time away hasn't dulled their sharpness or creativity. Their sound is a balanced blend of progressive rock and heavy rock, and what sets them apart from other technically proficient bands is their ability to stay grounded in strong songwriting. Too often, progressive bands get lost in their technical ability, prioritizing intricate time signatures and complex layers over actual song structure. Scare Tactics, however, avoids this common pitfall. While their music is intricate and sophisticated, it remains focused and purposeful. There’s a fine balance between musicianship and listenability, ensuring that the audience is not just impressed, but also entertained.

The guitar work in particular stands out. Duelling guitars provide both melodic interplay and crushing riffs, while solos are sprinkled throughout the set, always fitting within the song rather than feeling shoehorned in for the sake of showing off. There’s something for everyone here, whether you're a fan of technical proficiency or just looking for something to headbang to. The rhythm section grooves hard, giving the band a powerful foundation. Andrew Barker, the band's frontman, is a standout in his own right. His vocal performance moves effortlessly between clean, melodic passages and harsh, aggressive screams, yet none of it feels forced or out of place. His voice complements the music perfectly, adding another layer to their intricate sound without overwhelming the instrumentation. By the time they finish their set, Scare Tactics have reminded everyone why they’re a force to be reckoned with, leaving the crowd buzzing for more.

Next up are Autopsya, a thrash band that pulls no punches. If you’ve ever found yourself yearning for the raw, aggressive thrash of bands like Slayer, then Autopsya are exactly what you need. Hailing from both Lisbon (Portugal) and Liverpool, this three-piece band flies through their set with relentless speed and ferocity. Their sound is unapologetically old-school thrash: aggressive riffing, fast double-time drumming, and a no-frills attitude toward their music. Autopsya aren’t here to impress you with their technical chops or throw in a ton of genre-bending elements - they’re here to thrash, and they do it extremely well.

While their music is as serious and aggressive as you’d expect from a thrash band, they also have a sense of humour, particularly when it comes to their love of beer. This isn’t a band that takes itself too seriously, and it’s refreshing to see. Fernando Rosa, the band's guitarist and frontman, embodies this energy. More importantly, he has the stage presence and confidence to pull off the genre. His engagement with the crowd is effortless, whether he's bantering between songs or ripping through face-melting solos. The crowd loves him, and his charisma elevates the set.

Next up are Devils Henchmen, and they bring a different kind of intensity to the stage. While Autopsya scratched the Slayer itch, Devils Henchmen feel more akin to early Metallica, with a raw, unpolished energy that’s unmistakable. Frontman Joseph Doolan commands attention from the moment he steps up to the microphone. His vocal style, a high-pitched, relentless scream, is reminiscent of Bryan Garris from Knocked Loose—a sharp contrast to the deep, guttural growls that can so often dominate this genre. Doolan’s delivery is aggressive and in-your-face, as if he’s yelling directly at the crowd, and this raw aggression matches the band’s sound perfectly.

Devils Henchmen don’t shy away from the basics. Their riffs are chunky and aggressive, their drums pounding with precision, but there’s an unfiltered passion to their performance that makes it more than just a nostalgia trip. They take what made early thrash great and inject their own modern energy into it, creating something that feels both familiar and fresh at the same time. For fans of that raw, early thrash sound, Devils Henchmen deliver in spades.

Finally, we get to the night’s headliners OGUN, and it's clear from the moment they step on stage that they’re on a different level. The band has an air of anticipation around them, and the crowd feeds off it. This show marks the release of their album, ‘World of Hate’, and they’ve chosen to play every last ounce of it. OGUN’s sound is deeply rooted in thrash, but they’ve expanded upon the genre in ways that make their music stand out. While the thrash and post-thrash elements are unmistakable, there’s a richness to their guitar work that goes beyond the genre’s typical confines. The intricate solos and groove-laden riffs are paired with surprising blues influences in the middle section of their set, showcasing a versatility that adds depth to their performance. The bluesy grooves give their music a swagger that’s sometimes missing in this genre, and it’s a welcome change of pace in the set.

As the band moves through the album, it becomes clear that OGUN are not just another thrash or post-thrash band. They have the technical ability, the songwriting chops, and the stage presence to captivate any audience. Frontman Andy Evans has a rich, robust voice, rather than the rasping yelps you might expect from a thrashy band, and it’s a delightful sound. By the end of the night, the headliners have more than lived up to their billing, leaving the crowd buzzing, with their performance feeling like the culmination of the night’s energy. Their album release show is the end point, but a marker for the vitality of the modern metal scene in Liverpool.

Check the “In The Flesh” page for more photos!
Ogun + Devils Henchmen + Autopsya + Scare Tactics