Live Review : Volbeat + Skindred + Napalm Death @ First Direct Arena, Leeds on December 16th 2022

Well, this is something I thought I would never see. A full production Volbeat arena show here on these very shores. You see, over on the continent the Danish Bluegrass metallers occupy the premium slot in the market. They slay stadiums and perch atop of festival bills. However, their accent here in the UK has been much more gradual and palatial. Over the years they have slowly but surely moved from academies to Apollo's and now their persistence has led them to the gates of this country's arenas.

Live Review : Clutch + Green Lung + Tigercub @ Academy, Manchester on December 15th 2022

Well, this is going to be a bit different… I’m under pressure. This review is competing with the wonders of AI, artificial intelligence to be clear. A comment made during the Primordial Radio podcast this week has left me here and I wonder how I get myself into these predicaments. On next week’s podcast (live on Twitch 11am Wednesday 21 December) my claim that AI could not replace a gig review written by a human being will be put to the test. So, this review is going to be packed full of EQ to challenge the rise of machines…

Live Review: Bad Wolves + Hollowstar @ Academy 3, Manchester on December 11th 2022

There’s a healthy crowd in early for the upbeat and energetic Cambridge based openers Hollowstar. They go down very well with their fresh modern NWOCR sound full of punchy riffs, catchy choruses and songs that capture your imagination. There’s a nice cover of Skynrd’s ‘Simple Man’ thrown in there ensuring a rousing sing song from those old enough to remember it first time around and the generations since.

Live Review : Alter Bridge + Halestorm + Mammoth WVH @ AO Arena, Manchester on December 9th 2022

When a band is fronted by the Son/Daughter of a music icon, I immediately have concerns. Is this just a chance for someone to use their parents' status to have a go at music and see what it's like, via worming their way into support slots they seriously don’t deserve? Do they use their marketability to obtain a record deal due to the name associated with their act? No band is safe from this, even tonight's openers Mammoth WVH.

Live Review : The L.A. Maybe + A'Priori + Unknown Refuge @ Waterloo Music Bar, Blackpool on December 7th 2022

The small venue with the massive attitude serves as a worthy backdrop on this bitterly cold December evening. The L.A. Maybe are perhaps one of those bands you may or may not have heard of, and I confess to being one of them. A couple of You Tube videos later and I can report back being suitably impressed by this American quintet. One video, a beautiful power ballad called ‘When I’m Done’ blew me away. Apparently, the new singer is the old singer who doesn't sing that tune on the video. Would they play that tonight? I’m ready to find out.

Live Review : The Dead Daisies + Graham Bonnet Band + FM @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on December 4th 2022

It’s certainly more than worth missing the footy for this evening with such a mouth-watering mix of brilliant rock to suitably whet the appetite instead. There’s a long queue outside and for some reason, a near half hour delay in getting those doors open, but not to worry though as a certain Doug Aldrich is busy hanging out at the front posing for pics and chatting with the freezing cold punters, with many in disbelief it’s actually him. Saying that, other various band members from tonight’s line up were also spotted loitering with intent including FM’s Pete Jupp making his way back in doing his best to save money by bringing his own ale in for the chaps to sup after their earlier than usual start.

Live Review : Gun + Gin Annie @ The Waterloo, Blackpool on December 4th 2022

I have a strange relationship with Gin Annie. I absolutely love them, but because they don’t play locally to me that often I tend to forget how much. You know how it is, other good bands come on your radar in the meantime and you’re like “oh yeah, Gin Annie, they’re OK, I’ll bob along in time to watch them” and then when you get there BAM they smack you between the eyes and knock you over. Again. Every bloody time.

Gig ReviewAuthor : Jo Crosby6 December 2022The Waterloo Music BarGUN, Gin Annie, Waterloo Music Bar, Blackpool, 2022, Live Review, Jo CrosbyComment

Live Review : New Model Army + Zen Baseballbat @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on December 3rd 2022

One of the joys of this "job" (or should I call it glorified hobby?) is the ability to visit long-lost musical friends that may have slipped down the back of time’s infinite sofa. New Model Army soundtracked my transition from awkward teenager to socially inept adult. They were the background noise for political awakenings, unrequited crushes and harsh break-ups. They were also my bridge between metal and indie.

Live Review : Cage Fight + Grief Ritual + Only The Righteous + Deified @ Satan's Hollow, Manchester on November 30th 2022

We’re back at Satan’s Hollow this time on the last Wednesday before December, and we’re going heavy and hard tonight! Before we have the gig, Johann and I dash to the venue to grab an interview with Cage Fight. And what an interview it is! Seriously, it’s one of the most chaotic, unhinged and fun interviews we’ve done yet, so definitely check it out HERE. But you’re here to read about the gig - so let’s get to it!

Live Review : Three Nights, Three Venues, Three Singers.

Bit of an odd week this one. Three consecutive acoustic gigs, by three artists who are both the same as each other yet also very much different to each other. Rather than individual reviews I thought it might be fun to do a compare and contrast. Let’s start with the similarities first. All three started their careers in the 80s, peaked in the 90s and are still working (both with and without other band members) to this day. All three have terrific vocal skills. All three have a lifetime of stories to tell.

Gig ReviewAuthor : Jo Crosby2 December 2022John Corabi, Danny Vaughn, Spike, 2022, Live Review, Jo Crosby, Jason SamuelsComment

Live Review : Rivers of Nihil + Fallujah + Allegaeon + Inferi + Harbinger @ Rebellion, Manchester on November 29th 2022

When I was young the package tour was the preserve of the golden oldies’ sixties brigade, hoisting Marti Webb and the Tremolos from provincial town to provincial town. It’s certainly had a facelift as a concept as Rising Merch’s Faces of Death tour is a multi-coloured promenade through Death Metal’s more elegant avenues. Originally scheduled for last November, there is a culpable sense of relief from all involved that a) it’s happening at all and b) that so many people had remembered that they had booked the darn thing in the first place. Not even a World Cup home nation derby is enough to put people off, as the place is stuffed to the rafters from the off.

Live Review : Palm Reader + Blanket + Dead Romantic + Sobriquet @ The Corporation, Sheffield on November 24th 2022

Opening the show on tonight's 4 band bill was Sobriquet. They come across as being an extremely charismatic band who made no trouble with covering as much of the small corporation stage as they could. Musically there was quite a bit to take in. They had hints of hardcore, nu metal, emo, and some catchy choruses to boot. On a technical level, they were all extremely sound musicians, and this made for an enjoyable first band of the night, which set the precedent for a night of all-round great music.

Live Review : Kira Mac + A'priori + Dan Byrne @ The Waterloo Music Bar, Blackpool on November 24th 2022

Small correction to that third name actually, as tonight the banner on stage tells us we are watching Dan Byrne featuring… well let me explain… Last year we saw Myke Gray (Skin, Jagged Edge) make something of a comeback in what was meant to be his final year of touring. Dan Byrne helped him out alongside his day job in Revival Black, and was very much a bit player (albeit a good one!) in Myke’s show. Now we have reached the stage where Dan has left Revival Black to embark on a solo career, and this run of shows with Kira Mac were going to be a toes-in-the-water time for him as a solo artist.

Live Review : The Hu + King Nun @ Academy, Manchester on November 28th 2022

Openers King Nun have little on Spotify with their 2019 release “Mass” and are a little unknown quantity until they hit the stage. I later find out that they have another album in the pipeline that is due for release early in the new year so yeah, if their grunge-tinged post-punk cacophony appeals to you, you may want to check them out.

Gig ReviewAuthor : Jo Crosby29 November 2022Manchester AcademyThe HU, King Nun, Academy, Manchester, 2022, Live Review, Jo Crosby, Jason SamuelsComment

Live Review : Amorphis + Eluveitie + Dark Tranquility + Nailed To Obscurity @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on November 24th 2022

Fittingly for these austere times, this is a distinctly wallet-friendly four-band bonanza of a package tour. There are no fillers or loose ends here. Each artist is already an established force of nature with their own well-cultivated fan base. Whilst the Ritz is never heaving, there is a highly respectable amount of people packed into the place from the get-go. Nailed to Obscurity may have drawn the short straw in terms of start times (6 PM is rather early in most people's books) but they are rewarded with a highly enthusiastic reception and turnout.

Live Review : Electric Callboy + Annisokay @ Academy, Manchester on November 23rd 2022

“It went off to death”

This is the quote that will forever define this night. Let’s rewind a bit first though.

Electric Callboy had initially been due to hit the UK in September and it feels like I have been waiting to see them for about 30 billion years. Or maybe it’s two. I don’t know, I’ve been known to exaggerate. Unfortunately for September Sarah, the band were forced to postpone their UK/European and USA dates due to health concerns for vocalist Nico. AND then on the day I should have seen them, I split with my then man friend. It was just a sucky time to be September Sarah.

Live Review : Wicked Smile + Stone Three + Cassidy Paris @ Motorsport Lounge, Llandudno on November 22nd 2022

A word about the venue first as this is the first time I’ve been there. It’s a bit of a trek along the A55 to Llandudno on a week night, but very worth it when you get there. The venue is on the edge of a little industrial estate and there’s plenty of on-road parking nearby. You enter on the ground floor and pass a small collection of classic cars and motorbikes, then up some stairs and here we are. There’s a big lounge (with lots of comfy sofas for the Grumpy One) and then the live room with stage at one end and bar at the back.

Live Review : Placebo + Cruel Hearts Club @ Eventim Olympia, Liverpool on November 21st 2022

This is our first time at the Eventim Olympia in Liverpool, and it’s certainly a unique venue. I queue up in the rain to grab my press pass and then make my way into the auditorium. It’s very reminiscent of Manchester Apollo or even a larger Liverpool Arts Club, but has a character of its own. The Lower Balcony, complete with fancy new seats, is linked to the floor area, and that means your tickets get you between the two with ease. Good news then, as Johann can grab his two songs worth of shots and then come join me in the seating for a comfortable but not less engaged view of the gig in full.

Live Review : Borders + Where Oceans Burn + InRetrospect + Waterlines @ Satan's Hollow, Manchester on November 20th 2022

We’re back at Satan’s Hollow on a Sunday night for a stacked line-up of tech-metal bands. In my opinion it’s a real who’s who of up-and-coming or seriously under-rated bands, and it’s all in honour of Borders’s album release tour for “Bloom Season”. The interview with them is one of the most fun and interesting interviews I’ve done for ROCKFLESH (see it HERE), and they don’t disappoint with their set later on either, but first there’s the plethora of great support bands to talk about.

Live Review: Pertubator + Health @ academy 2, Manchester on November 16th 2022

A few weeks ago I was looking forward to a tasty double bill of music. A Friday night at Carpenter Brut and a Saturday at Damnation.

And then child care issues struck and I spent both nights at home instead.

So being invited to cover the spectacular Perturbator softened that blow a little. That and I have been gallivanting around Norway for the last week. I am still tired from the trip and a little bleary eyed as I am refused entry with Johann and made to join the back of the queue. “Take notes” I mouth to our Satanic Overlord as I am banished from the realm.