Live Review : Vended + The Gloom In The Corner + Profiler @ O2 Academy 2, Liverpool on May 24th 2024

Vended are a band with a lot of weight on their shoulders, we here at Rockflesh have covered them on numerous occasions including their show at Rebellion and also at Sweden Rock festival, they have become somewhat of a favourite amongst our reviewers. It has become almost an obligation to mention that they are the products of absolute metal royalty, with 2 members having dads who play in Slipknot, as is apparent with their massive Iowa Era influence. Nepotism is part and parcel of music these days, and whilst some bands are almost stealing a living this way, there’s something different about Vended, despite them wearing their familial inspirations quite firmly on their sleeves.

Live Review : Tragedy + Nanowar Of Steel @ O2 Academy 2, Liverpool on April 25th 2023

I want you to read this first bit of the review in your best Graham Chapman voice in your head. (If you don’t know who he is, ask your mum and dad!) This is because from pretty much the first note of Nanowar Of Steel’s set I wanted to say “Stop! This is very silly” because it was. From fluffed entrances (oo-er missus) to purple wigs, arabs and glittery jumpsuits that left nothing to the imagination the whole thing was totally silly, and that was what made it so good.

Live Review : Stone Broken + Scarlet Rebels @ O2 Academy 2, Liverpool on February 9th 2023

We’re in the little Academy tonight, which is not the best venue when you’re short and it’s (pleasingly) full. So tonight’s review will mostly consist of notes on what I heard rather than saw, as a description of the top of the band’s head is never very exciting.

There should have been a full band set by Scarlet Rebels, but unfortunately due to an unspecified emergency within the band it turns out that only singer Wayne Doyle is available. Well, drummer Gary is here too, manning the merch and apparently feeling very frustrated.

Live Review : Holding Absence + Void Of Vision + Maybank @ O2 Academy 2, Liverpool on January 28th 2023

Holding Absence have made it clear that the opening slot on their UK Tour will be reserved for some of the finest up and coming local talent that the UK has to offer. It would be a true once in a lifetime opportunity for these smaller bands to be able to open for a name such as Holding Absence, and this is a model that is both extremely commendable and should be implemented by other bands on the scene.