Live Review : Fit For An Autopsy + Sylosis + Darkest Hour + Heriot @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on November 26th 2024

On paper the billing for this evening’s show feels distinctly skew-whiff. Fit For An Autopsy are on a quite impressive upward trajectory. They have broken free from the confines and the preconceptions of Deathcore and have cemented themselves a berth in the one-to-watch category. Pairing them as a co-headliner with Sylosis on the face of it feels mismatched because, well Sylosis have been around forever without ever really making their mark. It's hard to imagine a British metal scene without Sylosis plugging away in its lower echelons trying to make a name for themselves. Don't get us wrong, we at ROCKFLESH Towers love Sylosis, it's just that we've never ever envisaged them as being of a Ritz headliner status. Add to all that the fact that the much-fancied media darlings Heriot are sat slap bang at the bottom of the bill and the whole structure feels a little, odd.

Live Review : Bury Tomorrow + Make Them Suffer + Thornhill + As Everything Unfolds @ Academy, Manchester on November 23rd 2024

If this tour was to be given a subtitle it would be ‘The Ascendancy of Metalcore’. You see it is not just sold out; spare tickets are changing hands for silly money and the Academy is heaving from the get go. Whilst many of us feel inclined to sneer at it and give it a verbal kicking where possible, metalcore is not just alive and well, it is slowly but surely becoming the dominant force in our world. Every band on this ticket are treated like royalty by an up-for-it and positively youthful crowd. Very much feels like both ascendancy and ascension, the moment the next generation take full charge.

Live Review : Sólstafir + Oranssi Pazuzu + Hamferð @ Club Academy, Manchester on November 1st 2024

Whilst we in this country might have invented heavy metal, its stewardship has long since drifted north to the frozen plains of Scandinavia. Our Nordic cousins are now the dominant force in moving our beloved genre forward. The Nordic descent tour provides a perfect snapshot of the distinctly interesting and intriguing things our Scandinavian counterparts are doing with metal. Its very much a case of the anthemic (Hamerfo), the insular (Solstafir) and the downright outrageous (Oranssi Panzuzu).

Live Review : Within Temptation + Annisokay @ First Direct Arena, Leeds on November 19th 2024

Within Temptation are now an arena band. Quite an impressive step up in just two years time from supporting Evanescence’s arena tour in 2022 to holding the headliner slot all their own. This Dutch symphonic metal band are known for delivering a concert that feels like an immersive, theatrical journey through mythological realms and the universe itself, blending heart-pounding metal with sweeping orchestral arrangements, and stunning visuals to enthral audiences.

Live Review : Therapy? + Deux Furieuses @ Academy, Manchester on November 14th 2024

Over the years Therapy? have managed to be everything to everybody whilst also simultaneously staying true to themselves. They are the only band to grace the stages at both this country’s premier extreme metal and classic rock festivals (Damnation and Stonedead). By being happy to prostitute themselves wherever anybody would listen they have managed to confound the gatekeepers and cultivate a career that transcends any notion of genre. They are conclusive proof that good songs and a positive attitude trump everything.

Live Review : Kamelot + Ad Infinitum + Blackbriar + Frozen Crown @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on November 3rd 2024

The Ritz is hosting progressive symphonic titans Kamelot tonight, alongside a host of bands promising to deliver an evening of mystic allure. It’s a hefty four band bill, and Frozen Crown took the stage first, and with a formidable presence. Unleashing a torrent of epic soundscapes that seamlessly blended heavy metal with soaring melodies. This Italian power metal band is helmed by lead vocalist, Giada ‘Jade’ Etro, showcasing her range and charisma, effortlessly belting out powerful ethereal high notes, accompanied by virtuoso guitarist turned vocalist Federico Mondelli.

Live Review : Defects + Knife Bride + Profiler @ Rebellion, Manchester on October 31st 2024

The spooky season is here in full effect in this old Mancunian town. For those who are up for a night of haunting melodies there is plenty on offer. Horror metal aficionados Wednesday 13 are plying their wares with a Murderdolls heavy set over in the academy (see review from Chester here). Modern day vampires Creeper are providing the scare jumps at the Ritz and electro pop troubadour John Grant is having a whale of a time with fake blood at new century hall. But we at ROCKFLESH towers have plumped for a ghoultastic evening of thoroughly modern metal here in rebellion with Defects touring their recent album “Modern Error” with the Bloodlines tour and they’ve brought along Knife Bride and Profiler to join in the fun.

Gig Review©Ryan Hickson2 November 2024RebellionDefects, Profiler, Knife Bride, Rebellion, Manchester, 2024, Live Review, Ryan HicksonComment

Live Review : Signs Of The Swarm + Varials + Cabal + To The Grave @ Club Academy, Manchester on October 26th 2024

It's fascinating how the entire inference of a tour can be altered by the simple switching of billing. The Pins and Knuckles’ sponsored Faces of Death tour was originally conceived as a co-headlining affair between Progressive metal core legends Veil of Maya and hotly tipped deathcore mainstays Signs of the Swarm. It was a nicely balanced mixture of genres that appeal to those who like to a bit core in their life. But then sadly Veil of Maya inconveniently went on immediate hiatus, Signs of the Swarm were promoted to singular headlining status, much fancied Danish deathcore proponents Cabal were given a berth and suddenly, Bob's your uncle, this tour leans much more towards a deathcore fan base.

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 : Alice Cooper + Primal Scream + The Meffs @ AO Arena, Manchester on October 17th 2024

For all his household name and national treasure status, Alice Cooper is still very much an enigma. There are two distinct personalities at play. On the one hand, he is a Vaudeville showman, hawking around his macabre freakshow designed to shock and scare in equal measure. On the other hand, he is the custodian of probably one of the finest musical songbooks of the rock 'n' roll era. An Alice Cooper live performance is a fine-tuned balance between the two. As he sings in ‘Hello Hooray’ (sadly AWOL from tonight’s setlist) “Ready as this audience that's coming here to dream, Loving every second, every moment, every scream”. You go to Alice Cooper for a Circus of Horrors but packed with tracks that have perminated themselves into the rock lexicon. He is a living legend, with the musical credits to back up those credentials.

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 : Arch Enemy + In Flames + Soilwork @ Academy, Manchester on October 4th 2024

Swedish melodic death metal, that most geographically defined of subgenres. It arose in the mid-90s when our music was at its lowest ebb. Grunge, "alt-metal” and the early spectre of nu-metal have swept away the more traditional confines of our world. Metallica seemingly had turned their back on everything they had built and had started wearing eyeliner and trying to sound like Alice in Chains and a Bruce-less Iron Maiden couldn’t even get themselves arrested.

Live Review : Osiah + Draconian Reign + Beyond Extinction + Existentialist + To Obey A Tyrant @ Rebellion, Manchester on September 17th 2024

Tonight the inaugural UK deathcore tour organised by promoter Dead Species rolls into Manchester after starting off in Newcastle last week. As a Brucey bonus Draconian Reign have been added to the roster after having to miss the first date due to illness within the band. First to take to the stage are Bournemouth’s To Obey A Tyrant.

Live Review : Alkaline Trio + Lowlives @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on July 28th 2024

Now that Matt Skiba's substitute stint in Blink 182 has come to an end, it is time for Alkaline Trio to once again take the full extent of his attention. Over a warm mancunian weekend they have managed to sell out the Ritz for a second time on this particular jaunt around the shires despite competing distractions such as Radar festival (which ROCKFLESH are also covering, review HERE) and two comic cons.

Gig Review©Ryan Hickson4 August 2024O2 RitzAlkaline Trio, Lowlives, O2 Ritz, Manchester, 2024, Live Review, Ryan HicksonComment

Live Review : Graphic Nature + Cut Short + Paradigm @ The Live Rooms, Chester on July 18th 2024

Last year, Kent based Graphic Nature released their long awaited debut album “A Mind Waiting To Die”, and won over thousands of brand new fans with high energy performances at Download, 2000trees, and Reading/Leeds. Tonight they continue their upward trajectory towards potentially being the next big thing in the UK metal scene, riding the wave of the release of their stunning new album “Who Are You When No One Is Watching?” Graphic Nature have blazed into Chester for a headline slot at the Live Rooms.

Live Review : The Acacia Strain + Fuming Mouth + Judiciary @ Academy 3, Manchester on July 3rd 2024

It would have been eminently straightforward to stick identikit deathcore acts bands on this bill and placate the two-stepping masses. However, taking the easy route through life has never been how The Acacia Strain have rolled. As Vincent Burnett, there are lusciously charismatic frontman, intones during their set, this is all about being surrounded by your friends and Judiciary and Fuming Mouth are very much part of their posse, even if they do play significantly different variants of extreme metal. In fact, tonight is a masterclass in how diverse American extreme metal has become and anybody who dares to proclaim that it all sounds the same is simply not listening hard enough.

Live Review : Rise Of The Northstar + Our Hollow, Our Home + Forager @ Academy 3, Manchester on May 15th 2024

When it comes to music, the French are having a pretty great time at the minute. They came 4th in the Eurovision Song Contest with an absolute stellar performance, Slift have released what many consider to be their album of year and Gojira are one of the biggest metal bands on the planet right now. Rise of the Northstar are the next band from our neighbours across the channel to represent their country when it comes to continuing this well received momentum. Donned in their trademark white Boiler Suits, the Hardcore/Nu Metal adjacent 5 piece have embarked on their Crank It Up Tour, making stops all across the UK and Europe.

Live Review : Tenacious D @ AO Arena, Manchester on May 8th 2024

For the genre with a reputation for being poe-faced and humourless, there is an awful lot of comedy metal about. Steel Panther cater for those who still find tits and blatant sexism funny. Evil Scarecrow have made a career of combining metal with Mighty Boosh level surrealism and Raised by Owls manage to be simultaneously hilarious and impenetrable to anybody who doesn't know their Benediction from their Bolthrower. But like a gargantuan skyscraper looming over the whole scene is the behemoth that is Tenacious D.

Live Review : In Search of Sun + Weller + MARANG. + Cages For Preachers @ Star and Garter, Manchester on May 6th 2024

It's a glorious Bank Holiday Monday, with only the minor threat of major thunderstorms. With that in mind, it’s surely better to be safe indoors with 4 boisterous booming bands? What better place to be than Manchester's favourite gem of a venue, The Star and Garter.

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.