Embarking on an evening of dark bewitchment, Rebellion Manchester hosts four enthralling metal bands with Romanian rockers Bucovina at the helm. The essence of the night is Folk Metal, with mystical melodics taking centrestage, charming medieval quirks, and the undeniable stench of the Scandinavian metal spirit, blackening the night.
Read MoreA regular topic for my musical musing is the rich vein of variation and diversity that you can find in modern metal. Tonight’s double-header at Rebellion is case in point. Both MØL and Countless Skies exist fervently within our world, but neither are what we would describe as traditionally metal. Countless Skies version of melodic death is a distinctly luxurious and sumptuous one. It's very much the difference between drinking own-brand instant and gorging on a pot of freshly ground small-batch roasted designer coffee. They have taken a template used and abused by many and added a level of luscious decadence.
Read MoreIt’s been that long since I jumped in the Johann’s Crimson, German death wagon that I have changed career paths, got past a serious medical scare (not mine) and watched Johann jet-set about Europe. Going to a unvisited venue is always exciting. Aside form the new things too write about each venue has its own character. Satan’s Hollow is off the beaten track a little, situated in the back roads between Oxford road and Piccadilly it sits askew to its corporate surroundings. A large, dark, heavy gate greets the visitor, a portent of things inside? We traverse the usual entry problems, god help us if Johann forgets his phone. Once inside we can see an unusual layout. It’s a small venue, 500 people would see this uncomfortable. The stage is a small penned garden of metal right in the centre of the oddly shaped room. Shining have wrapped a large banner around one side of the pen creating a temporary backdrop to the normally circular stage. The room is intimate but has space for two separate bars.
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