Live Review : Pupil Slicer + Coilguns + God Alone @ The White Hotel, Manchester on April 19th 2024

Pupil Slicer have long been championed by Rockflesh, from the very seeds of their chaotic genius to the full bloom of their current status as underground darlings of every hardcore and alternative genre going. It’s fitting then that for their first headline UK tour they’re playing second album ‘Blossom’ in full. They’ve picked some unusual venues for this tour, and Manchester’s date sees us making our first ever trip to Salford’s art organisation The White Hotel. It’s neither a hotel, nor that white, and is in fact a repurposed industrial warehouse housing bohemian acts and events.

Live Review : Employed To Serve + Pupil Slicer + Going Off @ FAC251, Manchester on October 28th 2023

This 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.

Live review : Rolo Tomassi + Pupil Slicer + Heriot @ The Academy Club, Manchester on February 22nd 2022

First up are Heriot who take to the stage with a backing track of digital hardcore style bass and crashing noise. The lights go red and they’re ready to go. A moment’s silence and then their vocalist screams “Manchester take a step forward!”. Blimey that woke me up. We soon learn that her piercing scream is actually also her singing voice, and is layered over violent blast-beats and a churning barrage of noise.

Live Review : Pupil Slicer + In Depths + Lure In @ the Live Rooms, Chester on February 20th 2022

Let it be known that the warriors of Rockflesh Towers will not be put off by a bit of wind! I am of course referring to the storms battering the nation at time of writing rather than anything more constitutional. Fortunately, the bands and a hardy few punters are also willing to brave the stormy weather for a bit of Sunday night experimental metal. I say experimental because much of what is on display tonight may be called challenging by some…and joyously unique by others. And, yep you guessed it, I’m in the latter camp.