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!
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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.
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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.
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t’s been a while since we had the joy of an Impericon tour of any shape on our shores, what with that pandemic and what not, so this bill of modern heaviness is a true treat. First up are Boundaries who hit us with brilliant lashings of energy. Think of Hatebreed, Biohazard or Malevolence but with occasional Korn-esque high discordant guitar rings. There's definitely something more experimental about these guys than most deathcore or hardcore metal acts, and that’s especially true with the guitars going grindcore at times.
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Novelists were only given six days notice to join this tour following the late withdrawal of Miss May I, and it’s fair to say that it’s a ridiculously short amount of time for any band to logistically and mentally sort themselves for a tour. Unfortunately, frontman Tobias Rische couldn’t make it across so Sam Kubrick, from the band Shields, is standing in on lead vocals this tour. The long-time friend of the band fits in seamlessly, which is not to say it doesn't matter who's singing for them, but rather than the rest of the band are so professional, tight and amazing that they can afford the option of bringing in cover for Tobi and they still deliver a superb set.
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Siamese kick off proceedings with their brand of techy pop-infused metal. They bound onto the stage, owning it like headliners, and the growing crowd take to them immediately. Fans of Normandie and Resolve and the like will love this Danish crew, who have fast become one of my favourite bands. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again, I might even move to Copenhagen to see more of their gigs!
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We have the surprise addition of Higher Power as an opening support band tonight, which is great news as I’m a big fan. The lads from Leeds are a hardcore/post-hardcore band with that little extra bit of something. Their delightful and signature mix of alt rock and hardcore also delivers luscious nu-grunge chorus guitars and in Jimmy "J-Town" Wizard’s vocals, so like listening to Perry Farrell of Jane’s Addiction, there is that unique and marmite element.
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Australian openers Earth Caller are already known to me thanks to their recruitment of the production genius Misstiq. Having done some additional production and guest work for them she joined the crew and adds that different touch to what was already an intriguing metalcore band. There are large similarities to Bury Tomorrow & Heart of Coward in their sound, especially in new single ‘Alone’, and of course with Misstiq onboard there are plenty of orchestral synths.
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Tonight’s gig is not only a masterclass in charismatic vocalists and virtuoso lead guitarists, but also in how to be an arena band, with all three bands nailing each of those elements perfectly. Grabbing my ticket and taking up my seat stage-side with the arena still filling up, we see openers Lorna Shore take to the stage. Hitting us straight off with their deliciously brutal onslaught, many of the crowd around me and even in the standing sections up close to the stage, seem taken aback by quite how extreme and heavy the New Jersey deathcore crew are.
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It’s a Sunday evening, and a fairly early start at that. But that doesn’t stop the crowd filling up quickly for first-on support Stepson. The Brisbane, Australia based hardcore band set about their work with enthusiasm and vigor. Elements of Touché Amoré and Our Hollow Our Home can be seen in their sound, and their jagged guitars provide the perfect backdrop to Brock Alan Conry’s raw emotive vocals.
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Opening tonight’s proceedings are Graphic Nature. Stepping in for XL Life on the tour, the Kent metallers are very much in the modern vein of metalcore tinged deathcore. On record they are definitely worth checking out by fans of new nu-metal bands like Blood Youth and Death Blooms, but it’s live that this five-piece come to life. Harnessing the brutal guitars and bass of Emmure, and mashing that with harsh metal-hardcore vocals akin to Loathe, they are a splendid and invigorating assault on the senses.
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I think it's fair to say that we don't get masses of hardcore gigs passing through the North West, so it’s a real treat to have a band with the calibre of Comeback Kid headlining a gig in Manchester. The Bread Shed offers everything you need to make this kind of gig work, with that underground vibe and close-up intimate stage. In fact, as would be hoped at a hardcore gig, there’s no barrier tonight - something our photographer is a bit nervous about it’s plain to see!
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There’s nothing like walking through the streets of Manchester on a sunny day...on your way to Satan’s Hollow for a gig! Just as i’m strolling to the venue I spot ROCKFLESH’s very own Dark Lord himself (Johann), complete with a an injured hand. Ensuing jokes about me possibly having to take the photos of tonight’s gig, as well as writing the review, serve only to make me chuckl and smile more. Spolier – Johann did take the photos and did and amazing job working through the obvious pain in hand, ever the professional and champ. As we make our way up to stairs into the venue we can hear that openers In Depths have already started and in full flow.
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We climb the never-ending staircase of Liverpool O2 Academy on what is a stifling hot evening. Not that the glorious weather is stopping it from being a full house for the return to the UK of Canadians Billy Talent. The punters are eager with anticipation as we filter past the merch stand and up to the venue. It’s been around five years since they ventured to our shores, and for fans like myself it’s felt like an eternity.
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We rock up to the Star & Garter on a Wednesday with loads of anticipation for the night of deathcore ahead. This is yet again another great lineup secured by Tapestry Promotions for Manchester, and I can’t sing their praises high loudly enough for the work they put in and quality they bring to the scene in the North West. Onto the bands…Portrayal of Ruinn are opening proceedings fresh from their Metal 2 the Masses win, which in the process secured them a slot at Bloodstock.
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Sometimes you’re at a gig and it just feels that little bit more special, that it’s a night you’ll tell the kids about and could be one of those watershed “I was there” moments. Tonight feels like one of those times. All three bands end up performing phenomenal sets, and in particular for headliners LANDMVRKS you feel that this should be the start of something massive.
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It’s an early Sunday evening start for a very heavy night at Rebellion, and New Jersey progressive metalcore crew Sentinels are first up. They prowl the dark stage in sinister fashion with a mysterious electronic backing-track before exploding into an exciting, high energy set. The best way to describe them is a tech-metal Malevolence, but they cover way more bases than that suggests.
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Rosen Bridge are up first in The Bread Shed tonight having made the short trip from North Wales. They immediately crank out their crunching tech-metal akin to Northlane, InVisions and Architects. They’re not as slick and smooth live as on their recordings, but still offer an interesting and entertaining performance. The harsh vocals bite and slam into the front row, but the cleans seem troubled by the dry house sound tonight.
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It’s time for ROCKFLESH to hit another arena, and this time myself and Ryan (complete with escort to and from the photopit) have the pleasure of scooting across to Leeds for a May Bank Holiday Monday treat! Armed with my 2 pints cup of cider I make my way into the standing area for openers Malevolence. I’ve noticed loads of their tees in the crowd, so it’s no surprise then that there’s a great buzz about the place, and a soon to be vicious pit opens up before the band have even made it on stage.
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It’s a sleepy Wednesday night, but Oldham punk band The Big I Am are determined to kick the night off with a bang. Despite the small early crowd they excitedly bound through their old -school punk rock. To me they're reminiscent of Janus Stark, with some gruff singing and mix of surf-rock style vocal lines and twangy overdriven guitars.
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