Live Review : Paganfest @ O2 Victoria Warehouse, Manchester on January 18th 2025

Metal, the music that we love, comes in many forms. Some of them link seamlessly together, others tend to stand alone in powerful glory. One of the weirdest subgenres is probably folk metal, which itself varies wildly in content as “folk” has a different meaning in different countries of the world. Tonight, Paganfest in Manchester brings together an unforgettable night of music and unbridled energy performed by an eclectic mix of folk metal bands and enthusiasts from all corners of the world, creating a vibrant atmosphere that resonates through every chord and drumbeat.

Live Review : Pain + Ensiferum + Eleine + Ryujin @ Rebellion, Manchester. on October 11th 2023

Over on the continent, this billing makes perfect sense. You see Pain may be a side project of Hypocrisy main man Peter Tägtgren but its success in mainland Europe has in many ways eclipsed that of his day job. Over here it is a different story and whilst folk metallers Ensiferum are billed as a “very special guest” on UK soil this has become very much a double header and there are far more Ensiferum shirts to be seen upon entering the building.

Gig ReviewAuthor : Stewart Lucas13 October 2023RebellionPain, Ensiferum, Eleine, Ryujin, Rebellion, Manchester, 2023, Stewart Lucas, Ryan HicksonComment

Live Review : Dark Tranquility + Ensiferum + Nailed To Obscurity + Brunhilde @ Academy Club, Manchester on April 7th 2022

Another day, another quite astounding metal package tour. Anyone would think that live music got canned for two whole years and that bands are busy trying to make up for lost time? A stacked bill means an early start time and those early doors means that we supposedly miss Brunhilde, then we later learn so did everybody as they don’t show.