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!
Read MoreWithin 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.
Read MoreHailing from the heavy heartland of Northern England, Xentrix stands as a testament to the raw, relentless energy of thrash metal. Forged in the 80’s, this iconic band has terrorised the scene over many years, more than earning their place in the thrash metal pantheon, leaving an indelible mark with their distinctive sound, blistering riffs, provoking lyrics, and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of the genre.
Tonight in Manchester, Xentrix are set to perform their seminal album, “Shattered Existence”, in its entirety, for the final time, as the tour ends here.
Read MoreOver 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.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreYou would have thought that after Slayer and Mötley Crüe both returned to the fray after having retorted that they were going for good, that we would have got wise to the wheeze of the farewell tour. Evidently not, as Sepultura’s final circumnavigation of the world sees them return as headliner to venues they last bothered nearly thirty ago, when it looked like “Roots” was about to catapult them to the higher plains of the metallic pecking order. It is a little uncertain though whether the sold-out signs are in situ because this is a last chance to see situation, or in direct reaction to their undercard. By dragging along the much-fancied Jesus Piece, the perpetually awesome Obituary and the in vogue and in demand Jinjer they have turned this into a super charged package tour that it is very hard to turn down.
Read MoreAre Royal Republic a rock band? They say not, but a capacity crowd at Bloodstock 2023 begged to differ and let’s face it you’re not going to argue with 20000 rabid metalheads, are you? They have been blowing audiences away with their brand of humorous pop-rock patter for a good few years now and here we have a full UK tour in support of their most recent album “LoveCop”. Tonight the Royal Republic train is hitting the buffers in Manchester to show us what they’ve got.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreIt’s a cold damp evening in between Halloween and Bonfire night. the generals are gathering in their masses at the Waterloo Music Bar in Blackpool. This unlikely foothold in an otherwise sequined obsessed town has quite rightly become a real stronghold on the north-west gig scene. We are here to bear witness to an evening of no frills, uncompromising filthy rock n roll courtesy of the Black Spiders.
Read MoreTonight we are not in a cellar, which is good. Zanzibar is a decent venue with plenty of space and a good screen so that’s a good start.
Local band Seas Of Neptune kick things off. They play cheerful slightly indie-tinged rock interspersed with a bit of typical dry scouse wit. It’s not outright metal, leaning more towards maybe The Killers or even Arctic Monkeys for inspiration, but it’s hummable and well-performed. At the moment the band are a little raw and unpolished, but with a bit of elbow grease they might turn out to be a gem.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreTonight Chester is getting its goth on. It’s only two days to Halloween so it’s quite fitting that the self-described mad Frankenstein drag queens that make up Wednesday 13’s entourage are here. It’s equally fitting that England’s favourite glam-goth wannabees South Of Salem are snapping at their heels.
Read MoreIt'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.
Read MoreBeartooth 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.
Read MoreThe room we are in tonight is pretty basic for a venue with such a huge history (it’s the old Factory Records HQ). Bare walls, a small stage, not even any proper stage lights. Yep, basic covers it. The bar is well-stocked though and the atmosphere is warm and inviting in anticipation of one of Germany’s finest up-and-coming hard rock bands.
Read MoreThe reverential position that Lacuna Coil now holds has been achieved through the complete antithesis to overnight success. Formed 30 years ago in Milan asSleep of Right they have slowly but diligently built a unified fan base. This is their ninth visit to this fair city and on each excursion to our beloved northern outpost they have subtly but significantly increased the amount of people present. This evening's patronage is to herald the arrival of their 10th studio album (and first in six years) which will see the light of the day early next year.
Read MoreWhen 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.
Read MoreSometimes 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.
Read MoreThe 80s are calling, and the Rebellion has answered. A night of heavy metal is in store, pious and pure, with studded leather, red bandanas and leopard print leggings the uniform tonight. This is one of the most glittering crowds to date at this Manchester main-stay venue, you could pluck any punter at random, throw them on stage with a microphone or guitar, and they’d look the part at least.
Read MoreFor 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.
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