Live Review : Tiberius + Prognosis + Divided By Design @ The Peer Hat, Manchester on September 25th 2023

We make our way into the bar and down the stairs into the basement, a fairly tiny room by all accounts where we are greeted by Divided by Design noodling through their impressively technical instrumental proggy-tech-metal (despite some early technical issues). There’s an array of impressive guitar-work on display here, with fretboard skimming and blisteringly fast tapping, but it never seems to become overindulgent and the whole demonstrate an energetic stage presence. Instrumental acts used to be hard to remain engaged with, but increasingly these kinds of acts are so impressive and catchy that they manage to captivate the crowd for the entire set. Fans of acts like I Built the Sky should definitely check these guys out. Like the best in this style, Divided by Design are inventive and interesting, and the songs are the core element coming across as more than the sum of their parts.

Prognosis mix elements of tech-metal with a more accessible modern nu-metal swagger. For example, they aren’t quite as violent as a band like Vexed yet they have more edge than recent Architects. Atmospheric riffs and clean vocals give way to some much more brutal screams and jagged musical punches. The higher range harsh vocals are distinctive and align perfectly with the slamming guitars. The whole band seem to grow into the set, and by the time they hit midway they are delivering some professional and slick tech-metal. The crowd are noticeably engaging fully with the band as well and there’s a great energy to the room. There’s something here that harnessed and focused could set these folks on the path to a successful InVisions-type product.

Tiberius are fun. There’s no denying that, and anyone who doesn’t agree seriously needs to check their funny-bone, head and soul. It’s a typically crazy and awesome show with every single punter in the crowd has a massive grin on their face from start to finish. Still don’t believe us, check our video interview with the band at RADAR festival. But don’t be mistaken for thinking this is a gimmicky act with no substance - these guys from Edinburgh deliver a stunning musical demonstration as well. Their melodic quirky prog-tech-metal is constantly impressive and engaging. Every member of the band is superb at their given instrument – be it intricate, catchy guitar work, grand high soaring vocals, or delicious riding rhythms. Prog-metal Iron Maiden might be the easiest way to describe them to your friends, but that would be doing them a disservice. Vocalist Grant Barclay is somewhat tethered to the stage tonight due to feedback issues, but it doesn’t blunt another charismatic performance, and stunning vocal delivery. It just means that guitarist Chris Foster spends almost the entire gig dancing, stalking and marching through the crowd. Despite the size of the venue we even manage to get a mini-marching/circle pit with Chris playing in the middle. Tonight, I’ve a perfect view of Jahan Tabrizi and his insanely impressive guitarwork, with every technical trick in the book unleashed to deliver a tech-counter-melody to those delightful vocal lines. Look, this band are brilliant, and deserve some of your attention – give them a chance and I promise you’ll be a convert.

Check the “In The Flesh” page for more photos!
Tiberius, Prognosis, Divided By Design