It’s been a long nine years since emotive metalcore heroes (emocore if you like), Devil Sold his Soul last headlined in this city (they did remember we exist back in 2017 but that was to support Skith). Well in support of their rather excellent “Loss” (their first album in nine years and number 73 in our 2021 countdown) they are back, and they have brought the rather wonderful Urne (probably ROCKFLESH’s fav new band) with them. However first up are Forlorn. Sadly, this is not the legendary but now defunct Nordic Viking metal forebears, this Forlorn are from various places in the South of the Country (essentially not the North). They ply a style of metalcore that welds together the stomp of While She Sleeps with the more cerebral and celestial instrumentation of Alcest. I am sure what they are doing is really interesting, it is just really hard to discern through the murky sound. Megan Elliott’s clean vocals are lost somewhere in the mix, which undermines completely the attempted juxtaposition between harsh and smooth. The sound does right itself as they push toward, but they struggle to get any real momentum. There is something here but sadly the gremlins that dwell in Rebellion’s sound desk don’t allow it fully emerge this evening.    

It is clear that Manchester’s metal faithful have been reading ROCKFLESH’s many dispatchers about how wonderful Urne are, as they gather close into the stage to witness (what I believe to be) probably the most exciting emerging metal crew this country has to offer. Urne from the off are sensational, Joe Nally’s rumbling bass creates a ragged foundation that Angus Neyra’s deft guitar work builds on. They create twisty turny music that grasps by the scruff of the neck and pull you down a dark descending rabbit hole. Every time I am lucky enough to witness them live, I find myself entranced by the simultaneous complexity but also simplicity of what they are doing. The sound issues that blighted Forlorn’s set have all been banished and it warms my cockles to see my adoration of Urne shared by my fellow attendees with the majority nodding their heads in approval.

Urne’s songs are long, so even in a forty five minute set we only get five tracks. However nestled in-between mainstays ‘A Tomb So Frail’ and ‘Desolate Heart’ we get an untitled new track from their yet to be recorded second record. Anyone declaring that the brilliance of “Serpent & Spirit” was a flash in the pan should have a long hard look at themselves, as this new song shows that Urne’s sound as legs. It shares the creeping menace of say ‘The Place of Devils & Wolves’, but there is heightened progressive element at play and even maybe chinks of light. They state this is only their second time in Manchester as Urne and promise a headline show of their own. From the strength of tonight’s performance, I suspect everyone here will turn up.

Rebellion may not be packed (you could build a small nuclear reactor up by the bar) but there is a heavy throng of the faithful packed in at the front for Devil Sold His Soul’s triumphant return. It is obvious that for those packed up against the stage (no such thing as a barrier in here) that this band means a load and they hollow and whoop as they take the stage. The biggest change since I last clapped eyes on them is the expansion to two vocalists, as when Ed Gibbs returned in 2017 they inventively elected to retain his replacement Paul Green. This shared vocal style really suits them and the juxtaposition between Ed and Paul’s individual styles gives a real depth their highly emotional take on metalcore.

The majority of the set comes from last year’s “Loss”, a passionate and honest treat on exactly that, Loss. It is a dark but ultimately uplifting record about coming through grief and living on the other side. ‘Burdened’, ‘Signal Fire’ and ‘Beyond Reach’ all sound as excellent live as they do on record. Vast soaring soundscapes allow the fragility of the subject matter to shine through. The haunting delicate title track is advertised as the last track, but instead of the obligatory encore facade they stay put bathing in the adulation and close the night with two tracks off their first ep, “Darkness Prevails”. Devil Sold his Soul may have lost some of their momentum over the years but tonight proves that not only have they still got it but there is still an audience there that wants it.