Live Review : Sleep Token + Bilmuri @ Co-op Live Arena, Manchester -on November 26th 2024

Sleep Token have continued to rocket higher and higher since that very first time I saw them as a secret act at Tech Fest 2018. Back then it was only their eighth live performance and I still didn't quite know what to make of them. Fast forward past plenty of support slots, headlines and festival appearances and we have them headlining an arena and poised to headline Download Festival in 2025. They have also now become one of my favorite bands, with a stunning live act and a collection of three albums that fully showcase their diversity.

Gig ReviewAuthor : Matt Fraser27 November 2024Co-op Live ArenaSleep Token, Bilmuri, Co-Op Live, Manchester, 2024, Live Review, Matt FraserComment

Live Review : Anthrax + Kreator + Testament @ O2 Apollo, Manchester on November 21st 2024

Anthrax. Kreator. Testament. Whilst these three massive names in thrash might be lumped together by the uninitiated, they are in fact dramatically different takes on a genre that has always been a prime example of metal's ability to evolve. The question is though - is it a bit silly having three headliners starting from 6:30, or is it just damn good value for money?

Live Review : Wheel + Monosphere @ Rebellion, Manchester on November 19th 2024

On a freezing Tuesday night, fans of Wheel are treated to an extensive, value-packed set, rewarding those who braved the cold for the Finnish-based prog-metal band. For some, the dedication runs even deeper - like our Scottish mate, who made a 7-hour round trip from Scotland just to catch their performance!

Gig ReviewAuthor : Matt Fraser21 November 2024RebellionWheel, Monosphere, Rebellion, Manchester, 2024, Live Review, Matt Fraser, Johann WierzbickiComment

Live Review : SOiL + (hed)p.e. + Nonpoint + The Union Underground @ Academy 2, Manchester on November 9th 2024

The early Noughties gave us nu-metal and alternative metal in the bucketload, and tonight we travel back to that era with four big hitters of that time taking to the stage in Manchester. SOiL were one of the names you’d see on all the tours, festivals and magazines, and they’ve endured long enough that they headline this collection of riffing and metalling from back when.

Live Review : Beartooth + Polaris + Landmvrks @ O2 Victoria Warehouse, Manchester on October 25th 2024

Beartooth were once the gritty and gnarly bastions of wearing your heart on your sleeve, but have reached such a point of success that they have become a slick mainstage alt-rock band for all. We’re promised the wildest night ever by frontman Caleb Shomo and, together with the superb Landmvrks and Polaris, it’s not such an outlandish claim.

Live Review : Ogun + Devils Henchmen + Autopsya + Scare Tactics @ District, Liverpool on October 19th 2024

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.

Live Review : Mallory Knox + Call Me Amour + HRTLSS @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on October 18th 2024

Sometimes you just want a melodic alt-rock band that delivers soaring clean vocals and catchy sing-along tunes – enter a reunited Mallory Knox. A ten-year anniversary tour of album ‘Asymmetry’ has come on the back of reunion dates at SlamDunk, and tonight gives the Manchester fans another chance to dance and sing along to all the classics from the Cambridgeshire rockers.

Live Review : The Ghost Inside + Gideon + Boundaries @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on October 12th 2024

There’s a notable and eager queue outside the venue as they patiently wait for the doors to open on The Ghost Inside headlining in Manchester once again. The whole bill tonight is a mixture of variations on hardcore and metalcore, and for each band there are elements that set them apart from their peers stylistically and visually.

Live Review : Visions of Atlantis + Illumishade + Seraina Telli @ Rebellion, Manchester on October 5th 2024

It’s a crisp evening in Manchester, and the crowd are eager as they queue outside Rebellion with hopes of setting sail on a voyage led by symphonic-pirate-metallers Visions of Atlantis. The headlining band are fundamentally known for their captivating symphonic metal inspired by tales of the sea, and have been selling out venue after venue on this tour with their nautical nights of symphonic-metal dynamism. It’s another full-house tonight and the place is buzzing with anticipation, a palpable sense of musical narrative adventure hanging in the air.

Live Review : Harbinger + Dekaytah + Dacara @ Rebellion, Manchester on September 28th 2024

Harbinger top the bill in what is otherwise a showcase of local talent for this all-dayer at Rebellion. There’s a mix of styles on display, but at the core if it all is metal, and some unique and fresh takes on various sub-genres at that. It’s an early start, and we’re told the venue has plenty of footfall from the mid-afternoon doors until the evening when we land at the venue.

Live Review : Northlane + Novelists + ten56. @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on September 16th 2024

It feels like an age since the always impressive Northlane got across to us headlining, and this time they’ve brought a killer lineup in the form of Novelists and ten56. It’s a bill packed full of unique and dynamic takes on metal sub-genres – each with a distinct and immediately recognisable style and unmistakable technicality.

Gig ReviewAuthor : Matt Fraser18 September 2024Norhtlane, Novelists, ten56., Live Review, O2 Ritz, Manchester, 2024, Matt Fraser, Johann WierzbickiComment

Live Review : Body Count + Slope @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on July 1st 2024

Body Count are a legendary force in the rap-metal scene, and their live shows are a testament to their enduring influence. In an era where genres constantly evolve and blend, they stick to their roots, delivering raw, unfiltered rap-thrash-punk rock that calls back to the origins of the genre while resonating powerfully with modern audiences.

Live Review : GEL + Split Chain @ Star and Garter, Manchester on June 12th 2024

New Jersey’s GEL are a modern take on classic Hardcore. Let me explain. In a Hardcore scene that is currently built around dynamic evolution of the traditional sound and direction - different genres and sub-genres being poured into the mix - GEL return to the raw aspects and punk elements of classic Hardcore. Their delivery of an authentic representation of what started it all off to a new generation has generated a massive buzz around them.

Live Review : Caligula's Horse + The Hirsch Effekt + Four Stroke Baron @ Gorilla, Manchester on May 31st 2024

We’re seeing ever increasing crowds at prog- and tech-metal gigs these days. It’s not even just the sheer numbers, but the diversity in the crowds that is both exciting and encouraging. Tonight is another example of the clear growth of these sub-genres with Australian maestros Caligula’s Horse bringing along the phenomenal The Hirsch Effekt and the fascinating Four Stroke Baron.

Live Review : LANDMVRKS + The Devil Wears Prada + Like Moths To Flames + Guilt Trip @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on May 12th 2024

LANDMVRKS blew us away when we saw them live for the first time headlining Rebellion in 2022. Tonight, they step-up to the O2 Ritz and bring with them a stellar undercard as well. The night is a wonderful example of the best melodic metal-hardcore from across the world, with heavy riffs, classic hardcore vocals and anthemic melodies a plenty.

Live Review : Resolve + Cane Hill + Acres + Half Me @ Rebellion, Manchester on May 8th 2024

French act Resolve have quickly become favourites at Rockflesh towers, with their blend of melodic metalcore. But they’re more than that. They break that pigeonhole with vibrant melodies and energetic groove. We did interview them in early 2023 (video interview) but this time they are back headlining Rebellion in support of their latest rather brilliant release “Human”.

Live Review : Kill The Lights + I Am The Wreckage + Dekaytah + Torchbearer @ The Star & Garter, Manchester on April 26th 2024

Transatlantic metal supergroup Kill The Lights are currently touring on the back of their new album “Death Melodies” and it’s a real treat to catch them in such an intimate venue such as The Star & Garter in Manchester. We manage to get an interview with vocalist James and drummer Moose before the gig (you can watch that here), and we’re promised songs both new and old from the now established and polished metal titans.

Live Review : Pupil Slicer + Coilguns + God Alone @ The White Hotel, Manchester on April 19th 2024

Pupil Slicer have long been championed by Rockflesh, from the very seeds of their chaotic genius to the full bloom of their current status as underground darlings of every hardcore and alternative genre going. It’s fitting then that for their first headline UK tour they’re playing second album ‘Blossom’ in full. They’ve picked some unusual venues for this tour, and Manchester’s date sees us making our first ever trip to Salford’s art organisation The White Hotel. It’s neither a hotel, nor that white, and is in fact a repurposed industrial warehouse housing bohemian acts and events.

Live Review : Filter + Belmondo @ Gorilla, Manchester on March 12th 2024

Tonight’s headliners Filter have very rarely made it across to these shores, but have a loyal and passionate fanbase. Led by one-time Nine Inch Nails guitarist Richard Patrick, Filter mix elements of many different genres, but if you like early noughties industrial rock, with both light and dark aspects, then you’ll find something to enjoy in their vast collection I promise.

Gig ReviewAuthor : Matt Fraser13 March 2024GorillaFilter, Belmondo, Gorilla, Manchester, 2024, Live Review, Matt Fraser, Johann WierzbickiComment

Live Review : Novelists + The Word Alive + Elwood Stray + Ashen @ Rebellion, Manchester on February 21st 2024

Tonight’s headliners, Novelists, have undergone a recent changeup with Camille Contreras replacing Tobias Rische as vocalist. The four tracks recently released with Camille as singer have been impressive, and match the excitement the band have portrayed through social media. This European and UK tour is where many of us long-term fans can get a true feel for the songs, new and old, with this fresh line-up.