Live Review : Evile + Shrapnel at Rebellion in Manchester on October 9th 2021

Bands talk of shows being special and unique, and then precede to play the same set in about a dozen other cities. However, tonight is the real McCoy. This is a one off, never to be repeated gig packed to the brim with emotional resonance. Originally scheduled for 2019, this was initially conceived as a celebration of the life and works of Mike Alexander, Evile's late lamented bassist who tragically left us in 2009. However, it has taken on additional significance, as last year Matt Drake made the decision to step away from the band and music all together. The band (now fronted by his brother Ol) have already forged on without him, but Matt was never going to miss this performance and tonight’s tribute to Mike now also serves as his last hurrah with the band he led for so long.

Gig ReviewAuthor : Stewart Lucas10 October 2021RebellionEvile, Shrapnel, Rebellion, Manchester, 2021, Live Review, Stewart Lucas, Johann WierzbickiComment

Live Review : Wolf + Primitai + Shrapnel @ Academy 3, Manchester on March 24th 2019

As we can all personally attest a week is a bloody long time in politics, it also transpire to be long and knackering time in Metal. I easily had the choice of two reviewable shows every single night this week and in reality I managed to attend a neck-aching four gigs, which at my age feels very much too much of a good thing. Therefore the fact that the Academy 3 is deserted comes as no surprise. The pockets of mancunian metalheads are only so deep and after an absolute smorgasbord of metallic goodies on offer this week (as well as HRH in North Wles) something is going to give and sadly it is Wolf and their rather fine undercard that have got the shitty end of the stick.

Gig ReviewAuthor : Stewart Lucas26 March 2019Academy 3Wolf, Primitai, Shrapnel, Academy 3, Manchester, 2019, Live Review, Kamelot, Judas PriestComment