Live Review : Slipknot + Bleed From Within @ Co-op Live Arena, Manchester on December 17th 2024

Every band reaches a tipping point, where their rapid ascendancy slows, and they enter that “selective appeal" phase. It is the law of diminishing returns, the moment where the number of fans losing interest due to age, indifference and evolution of musical tastes outweigh the accumulation of new devotees. It is the point where stadium-sized bands recede to arenas, where those bothering Apollo's shift to Academies and festival headliners become special guests or even worse inhabit the dreaded "Legends" slot, an abomination designed to preserve the egos of artists yet to fully comprehend their decline. What is astonishing about Slipknot is that 25 years in they are still accelerating. They have a momentum that continues to gather both pace and followers to this very day. For some inexplicable reason, this group of mask-wearing grandad's well into their fifties are still able to speak to the freaks, geeks and disenfranchised of the generations below them.

Live Review : Evergrey + Klogr + Inner Vitriol @ Rebellion, Manchester on December 16th 2024

The golden rule of music journalism is to remember that no matter who the act is and no matter how lowly the circumstances that you are covering them in, for someone somewhere they are their favourite band ever. Evergrey svengali Tom Englund is the first to admit that tonight’s showing is rather disappointing. “Next time we come you bring your wives, your girlfriends, your boyfriends, your drug dealers, your lawyers, bring anyone” he deadpans during the set. However, despite the attendance being at a level where everybody needs to keep their coats on (including a fellow with a remarkably multicoloured jacket that captures Tom's eyes), the atmosphere is exceptionally buoyant and scintillatingly succulent. This is because for those who have made it out to central Manchester on a cold Monday night, Evergrey are either their favourite band or at the very least making great swipes at holding that accolade.

Live Review : The Darkness @ Rough Trade, Liverpool on December 12th 2024

The Darkness have been a fixture in UK popular rock’n’roll circles for numerous years now. Known for their spandex, ludicrous videos and songs, and dynamic range of vocals from charismatic frontman Justin Hawkins. So, when we were given the chance to cover their super special, intimate and early promo gig for forthcoming album ‘Dreams on Toast’ it was an opportunity we couldn’t believe we’d been afforded.

Gig ReviewAuthor : Matt Fraser15 December 2024Rough TradeThe Darkness, Rough Trade, Liverpool, 2024, Live Review, Matt Fraser, Johann WierzbickiComment

Live Review : Alcest + Svalbard + Doodseskader @ Academy 2, Manchester on December 12th 2024

And here we are, yet another intriguing package tour bringing together three bands that exist within this genre but are doing decidedly different and inventive things within its conventions. Alcest, Svalbard and Doodseskader all distinctly exist within our world, but all feel duty-bound to stretch and contort its conservative confines. The former act as headliner for this jaunt, and even though they last dropped anchor in this very room just over 12 months ago, this distinctly unconventional cavalcade draws a mighty impressive crowd for a Wednesday night this close to Christmas.

Live Review : Future Palace + Our Promise + Seven Blood @ Rebellion, Manchester on December 5th 2024

Future Palace are riding high across Europe with the surge in popularity for genre-mashing female vocal-led modern pop metal bands. They’ve been touring hard for a long time now, and find their way to Manchester for only the second time and first headlining. It’s a cold, wet and nasty night, but that doesn’t stop the crowd from getting along to Rebellion for the sold-out show for not one but three up-and-coming German bands.

Live Review : Dying Fetus + Chelsea Grin + Despised Icon + Vitriol @ Academy 2, Manchester on December 4th 2024

On a wet and windy Wednesday night, the unassuming Student’s Union bar at the Manchester 2 is flooded with devoted death metal fans embarking on a peculiar pilgrimage. Positioned in a dimly lit room tucked away up a staircase and around a forgotten corner; Dying Fetus lead the charge on this unruly bill, with Salt Lake City’s Chelsea Grin, deathcore collective Despised Icon, and opener Vitriol. Before the show, the PA system pulsates out strictly cheesy dance and disco, the bass reverberating, tantalising the crowd with what’s to come. The excitement is infectious; a legion of black shirts emblazoned with scrawled, hard-to-decipher names, the echoes of the genre’s underbelly, dancing to Darude’s ‘Sandstorm’, a fitting prelude to the chaos about to unfold.

Live Review : Fit For An Autopsy + Sylosis + Darkest Hour + Heriot @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on November 26th 2024

On paper the billing for this evening’s show feels distinctly skew-whiff. Fit For An Autopsy are on a quite impressive upward trajectory. They have broken free from the confines and the preconceptions of Deathcore and have cemented themselves a berth in the one-to-watch category. Pairing them as a co-headliner with Sylosis on the face of it feels mismatched because, well Sylosis have been around forever without ever really making their mark. It's hard to imagine a British metal scene without Sylosis plugging away in its lower echelons trying to make a name for themselves. Don't get us wrong, we at ROCKFLESH Towers love Sylosis, it's just that we've never ever envisaged them as being of a Ritz headliner status. Add to all that the fact that the much-fancied media darlings Heriot are sat slap bang at the bottom of the bill and the whole structure feels a little, odd.

Live Review : Sleep Token + Bilmuri @ Co-op Live Arena, Manchester -on November 26th 2024

Sleep Token have continued to rocket higher and higher since that very first time I saw them as a secret act at Tech Fest 2018. Back then it was only their eighth live performance and I still didn't quite know what to make of them. Fast forward past plenty of support slots, headlines and festival appearances and we have them headlining an arena and poised to headline Download Festival in 2025. They have also now become one of my favorite bands, with a stunning live act and a collection of three albums that fully showcase their diversity.

Gig ReviewAuthor : Matt Fraser27 November 2024Co-op Live ArenaSleep Token, Bilmuri, Co-Op Live, Manchester, 2024, Live Review, Matt FraserComment

Live Review : The Damn Truth + Ashley Sherlock @ Waterloo Music Bar, Blackpool, on Sunday 24 November 2024

“I think my eyeliner’s running…”

There are not many bands that can reduce a hardened rocker to tears.

But when The Damn Truth last played the Waterloo, twelve months ago, that’s precisely what happened. Stood in the crowd with tears in his eyes, he wasn’t the only one to be caught up in the emotion of this incendiary, emotionally charged and supremely talented band. For many, that night was their first time seeing the band, although everyone left a convert, utterly blown away by what they’d witnessed. This time around, the crowd is bigger, no doubt driven by the evangelical fervour that The Damn Truth foster in their fans, a fervour that means you’re going to tell absolutely anyone who’ll listen about just how utterly wonderful they truly are. That so many are gathered in the intimate surroundings of the Waterloo’s Backstage Bar, over ninety minutes before the doors even open is proof of that, if indeed any proof was needed.

Live Review : Bury Tomorrow + Make Them Suffer + Thornhill + As Everything Unfolds @ Academy, Manchester on November 23rd 2024

If this tour was to be given a subtitle it would be ‘The Ascendancy of Metalcore’. You see it is not just sold out; spare tickets are changing hands for silly money and the Academy is heaving from the get go. Whilst many of us feel inclined to sneer at it and give it a verbal kicking where possible, metalcore is not just alive and well, it is slowly but surely becoming the dominant force in our world. Every band on this ticket are treated like royalty by an up-for-it and positively youthful crowd. Very much feels like both ascendancy and ascension, the moment the next generation take full charge.

Live Review : Baroness + Graveyard + Pallbearer @ New Century Hall, Manchester on November 22nd 2024

The Great trilogies. Lord of the Rings, The Hunger Games books, Toy Story, the original Star Wars saga (yes we know, Ewoks, but Return of the Jedi is infinitely better than anything that came after). To that impressive lexicon, you can now add this tour of a holy Trinity of modern metal masters.

Pallbearer, Graveyard and Baroness are all doing something distinctly different in their individual musicality. They all reside in diverse corners of metal's grand and fertile landscape. What they do share and what makes this tour so appealing and also so cohesive, is a deep-seated seam of emotional intelligence. None of them trade in knuckle-dragging “beers and tits” brainless bravado. Instead, whilst the styles are varied and differential, they all sculpt music to make you think and in many cases music to make you cry. Put simply this is the wearing your heart on your sleeve tour.

Live Review : Anthrax + Kreator + Testament @ O2 Apollo, Manchester on November 21st 2024

Anthrax. Kreator. Testament. Whilst these three massive names in thrash might be lumped together by the uninitiated, they are in fact dramatically different takes on a genre that has always been a prime example of metal's ability to evolve. The question is though - is it a bit silly having three headliners starting from 6:30, or is it just damn good value for money?

Live Review : Sólstafir + Oranssi Pazuzu + Hamferð @ Club Academy, Manchester on November 1st 2024

Whilst we in this country might have invented heavy metal, its stewardship has long since drifted north to the frozen plains of Scandinavia. Our Nordic cousins are now the dominant force in moving our beloved genre forward. The Nordic descent tour provides a perfect snapshot of the distinctly interesting and intriguing things our Scandinavian counterparts are doing with metal. Its very much a case of the anthemic (Hamerfo), the insular (Solstafir) and the downright outrageous (Oranssi Panzuzu).

Live Review : Wheel + Monosphere @ Rebellion, Manchester on November 19th 2024

On a freezing Tuesday night, fans of Wheel are treated to an extensive, value-packed set, rewarding those who braved the cold for the Finnish-based prog-metal band. For some, the dedication runs even deeper - like our Scottish mate, who made a 7-hour round trip from Scotland just to catch their performance!

Gig ReviewAuthor : Matt Fraser21 November 2024RebellionWheel, Monosphere, Rebellion, Manchester, 2024, Live Review, Matt Fraser, Johann WierzbickiComment

Live Review : Within Temptation + Annisokay @ First Direct Arena, Leeds on November 19th 2024

Within Temptation are now an arena band. Quite an impressive step up in just two years time from supporting Evanescence’s arena tour in 2022 to holding the headliner slot all their own. This Dutch symphonic metal band are known for delivering a concert that feels like an immersive, theatrical journey through mythological realms and the universe itself, blending heart-pounding metal with sweeping orchestral arrangements, and stunning visuals to enthral audiences.

Live Review : Therapy? + Deux Furieuses @ Academy, Manchester on November 14th 2024

Over the years Therapy? have managed to be everything to everybody whilst also simultaneously staying true to themselves. They are the only band to grace the stages at both this country’s premier extreme metal and classic rock festivals (Damnation and Stonedead). By being happy to prostitute themselves wherever anybody would listen they have managed to confound the gatekeepers and cultivate a career that transcends any notion of genre. They are conclusive proof that good songs and a positive attitude trump everything.

Live Review : SOiL + (hed)p.e. + Nonpoint + The Union Underground @ Academy 2, Manchester on November 9th 2024

The early Noughties gave us nu-metal and alternative metal in the bucketload, and tonight we travel back to that era with four big hitters of that time taking to the stage in Manchester. SOiL were one of the names you’d see on all the tours, festivals and magazines, and they’ve endured long enough that they headline this collection of riffing and metalling from back when.

Live Review : Sepultura + Jinjer + Obituary + Jesus Piece @ Academy, Manchester on November 8th 2024

You would have thought that after Slayer and Mötley Crüe both returned to the fray after having retorted that they were going for good, that we would have got wise to the wheeze of the farewell tour. Evidently not, as Sepultura’s final circumnavigation of the world sees them return as headliner to venues they last bothered nearly thirty ago, when it looked like “Roots” was about to catapult them to the higher plains of the metallic pecking order. It is a little uncertain though whether the sold-out signs are in situ because this is a last chance to see situation, or in direct reaction to their undercard. By dragging along the much-fancied Jesus Piece, the perpetually awesome Obituary and the in vogue and in demand Jinjer they have turned this into a super charged package tour that it is very hard to turn down.

Live Review : Kamelot + Ad Infinitum + Blackbriar + Frozen Crown @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on November 3rd 2024

The Ritz is hosting progressive symphonic titans Kamelot tonight, alongside a host of bands promising to deliver an evening of mystic allure. It’s a hefty four band bill, and Frozen Crown took the stage first, and with a formidable presence. Unleashing a torrent of epic soundscapes that seamlessly blended heavy metal with soaring melodies. This Italian power metal band is helmed by lead vocalist, Giada ‘Jade’ Etro, showcasing her range and charisma, effortlessly belting out powerful ethereal high notes, accompanied by virtuoso guitarist turned vocalist Federico Mondelli.

Live Review : Black Spiders + Crowley @ The Waterloo Music Bar, Blackpool on November 2nd 2024

It’s a cold damp evening in between Halloween and Bonfire night. the generals are gathering in their masses at the Waterloo Music Bar in Blackpool. This unlikely foothold in an otherwise sequined obsessed town has quite rightly become a real stronghold on the north-west gig scene. We are here to bear witness to an evening of no frills, uncompromising filthy rock n roll courtesy of the Black Spiders.