The room we are in tonight is pretty basic for a venue with such a huge history (it’s the old Factory Records HQ). Bare walls, a small stage, not even any proper stage lights. Yep, basic covers it. The bar is well-stocked though and the atmosphere is warm and inviting in anticipation of one of Germany’s finest up-and-coming hard rock bands.
Read MoreThis show was meant to mark the triumphant return of Mancunian institution Gorilla. Sadly, the British blight of "overrunning engineering works" means that at the 11th hour, it has had to be hastily moved down the road to the iconic FAC251. A cavernous labyrinth of dingy dance floors, it was the former home of Tony Wilson's groundbreaking Factory Records and also the site of a lot of ill-gotten raving by my good self during the '90s. The downstairs space that hosts tonight’s gig is a lot smaller than its intended home, meaning we get an intimate and exceedingly sweaty show. It also provides a rare opportunity to observe three of the most exciting bands on the UK scene in incredibly close quarters.
Read MoreThe last time I was in this iconic venue it was the mid-nineties. It was called Paradise Factory and I had jettisoned metal in favour of a brief but passionate fling with hardcore rave. The main reason we are here tonight is that Rebellion is still out of action (thank you national rail) and the metal community has taken an “any port in a storm” attitude to what is now ground zero for Manchester’s commercial dance scene. This is an intriguing quadruple bill of four acts flirting with black metal but taking it off in all sorts of immersing and alien directions. Its promoted by the manc metal juggernaut that is Badgerfest, which means we can forgive the indomitable Badger for placing his very own projects in two of the four available berths.
Read MoreWhoever coined the phrase "Dance like nobody’s watching bla blah blah" obviously haven't seen The 99 Degree play, or they would have changed it to "Write songs like nobody will ever hear them because that's the way you love them, then scare the shit out of everyone by letting people hear them".
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