Live Review : Harbinger + Dekaytah + Dacara @ Rebellion, Manchester on September 28th 2024

Harbinger top the bill in what is otherwise a showcase of local talent for this all-dayer at Rebellion. There’s a mix of styles on display, but at the core if it all is metal, and some unique and fresh takes on various sub-genres at that. It’s an early start, and we’re told the venue has plenty of footfall from the mid-afternoon doors until the evening when we land at the venue.

Manchester’s own Dacara take to the stage as we walk in, bringing their vibrant brand of pop metal infused with themes drawn straight from anime, video games, and popular culture. They waste no time setting-out their sound and high-energy set. Their songs tackled a range of themes, from calling out liars and those stuck in denial to tongue-in-cheek tracks about weebs, sell-outs, and even psychopathic anime girls. For those who enjoy the visuality of Lake Malice or the vibe of Blind Summit, Dacara's set is a familiar mix of bouncy, fun pop metal reminiscent of a more rock-oriented Future Palace. It’s a dynamic mix that has the crowd bouncing along from the off.

Dacara are slick and filled with sass, with fun melodies, and a groovy beat that perfectly showcases Emma Shippen's impressive clean vocals. Emma's voice is powerful, crystal clear, and perfectly on point with the highs—particularly when she truly hits the heavens. And no one can ignore guitarist David Dyson, who brings a possessed energy to the stage.

The addition of dirty vocals from the axe players gives the perfect lift at all the right moments. The minor critique I’d note is that the songs seem to lack that hook and the structures some varying dynamics to break-up the wall of sound. I imagine that will balance out with more writing experience, and for such a young band, their cohesion is already commendable. It’s worth a nod to their cohesive visual identity, too—the fluro and black futuristic aesthetic, and multi-media video panels, gives them a polished look that far exceeds that of a typical local support act. It’s clear that they’re just beginning to discover their true potential.

Next up, Dekaytah bring a heavy affirmation of the Manchester metal scene. Their vibe is reminiscent of tonight’s headliners Harbinger, but without the same technical finesse and hooks. Their brand of metal is heavy, fast, and more than a little quirky, which helps make up for some of the rougher edges. Some of the tracks carry a distinct Biohazard flavour that serves as a bold exclamation point to their performance.

In other tracks, fans of Fit For An Autopsy or Decapitated might find some interesting elements to explore in Dekaytah’s sound—especially if they enjoy a more varied and experimental approach. Something I note is that the guitars sometimes seem a bit disconnected from the rest of the band in a song-writing manner, sticking to old-school vibes while trying to merge into a more contemporary metal aesthetic. But even with these occasional subjective disjointed moments, Dekaytah bring a certain swagger, something in the vein of Kublai Khan, which adds an undeniable charm to the set.

Finally, we’re treated to the main act, the real deal, the cut above the rest, the mighty Harbinger. This is a much more intimate gig than we’ve seen them play recently, giving us their fabulous death-tech-metal at its finest. They are, as always, on fire, with every single member of the band seemingly genuinely enjoying the chance to connect with the audience, who feed off their every note. Their blend of deathcore, tech-metal, and hardcore continues to be enhanced and refined.

Guitarists Ben Sutherland and Charlie Griffiths showcase phenomenal technical ability, while frontman Dilan Alves prowls the stage, giving us moments of drama as he orchestrates the crowd from the front riser, his brutal vocals commanding every corner of the room. Charlie and Ben execute those technical passages with seeming ease and the luscious riffs effortlessly. Meanwhile bassist Kris Aarre gives it all the muscle you could wish for, being more wild and committed than ever.

It’s clear that Harbinger’s music continues to grow in dynamics, melodic intention and individuality. Every song, every passage, and every riff shines through distinctly, and they continue to manage to achieve something remarkable: delivering complexity and variety without sacrificing the cohesion of the sound. Harbinger are undeniably setting their stall out and continuing to carve out their own path in the scene, and after another fantastic performance we’re just more excited than ever to see where they go next.

Check the “In The Flesh” page for more photos!
Harbinger + Dekaytah + Dacara