New Jersey’s GEL are a modern take on classic Hardcore. Let me explain. In a Hardcore scene that is currently built around dynamic evolution of the traditional sound and direction - different genres and sub-genres being poured into the mix - GEL return to the raw aspects and punk elements of classic Hardcore. Their delivery of an authentic representation of what started it all off to a new generation has generated a massive buzz around them.
Read MoreIt's a glorious Bank Holiday Monday, with only the minor threat of major thunderstorms. With that in mind, it’s surely better to be safe indoors with 4 boisterous booming bands? What better place to be than Manchester's favourite gem of a venue, The Star and Garter.
Read MoreTransatlantic metal supergroup Kill The Lights are currently touring on the back of their new album “Death Melodies” and it’s a real treat to catch them in such an intimate venue such as The Star & Garter in Manchester. We manage to get an interview with vocalist James and drummer Moose before the gig (you can watch that here), and we’re promised songs both new and old from the now established and polished metal titans.
Read MoreStarved kick-off proceedings tonight, and are determined to blow away any cobwebs the crowd might have knocking about. They get the punters awake, aware and engaged – which is exactly what you want from an opening act. If you're a fan of Creak or Atari Teenage Riot, then Starved's sound and style will be right up your alley. They have a heavy dose of ten56 thrown in for good measure (as do all the bands this evening).
The band has a full setup on display, with drums, guitar, bass, laptop, and vocals all being put through their paces. The laptop is a key element in their performance, providing loads of drum and bass, jungle, and The Prodigy vibes to the mix.
Read MoreFor myself and many others, The Star & Garter is the last true cesspit in Manchester in which Death Metal can thrive. It is gritty, it is unhinged, it is claustrophobic, it is wonderful. Tonight bill pits 3 of the finest Death/Black Metal acts that can be found parading a venue this small and as a result, the 150/200 strong capacity were in for a night of absolute violence and intensity.
Read MoreLate opening doors, list confusion, a surplus of photographers and the distraction of a political meltdown happening down in Westminster, all mean that I only catch the dying seconds of Auraboros. What I do see is simultaneously chaotic and cathartic. They are a blur of kinetic energy, hurling fistfuls of distorted metalcore into the crowd. Very much one to put on my "need to arrive earlier" list.
Read MoreIt is hotter than the sun in the Star and Garter tonight. I love this venue for so many reasons, but upstairs always becomes a sweat box in any kind of heat and tonight is no exception. There are fans blowing hot air around the room. Superb.
Absolutely worth getting in and down to the front nice and early for tonight’s opener Immerse. Metalcore from Bristol and brimming with energy, Immerse burst onto the stage and are an instantly likable force, despite some early technical difficulties involving their bass.
Read MoreSo, hats off to Tapestry promotions as this is one of those bills you look at and go “corr! that’s a bit of alright”. Star and Garter is rather busy from the off, though the audience seem to be playing a truncated game of “What time is it Mr Wolf”, standing as far back from the stage as they can without it starting to look or feel uncomfortable. A revamped and expanded version of Gospelheim are first up and it is (putting all the John Badger stuff to one side) a very different band to the one that I witnessed at Factory in September.
Read MoreWell apparently all that stuff and nonsense is over with and we are back in business with a capital ACK. How do I know that, I hear you cry? Well last night I did not one, but two shows almost simultaneously, both were big name bands (in our small world), both were packed to the rafters, and both tingled with the charge of expectation and emotion. But two shows, I hear you again cry, how and more importantly why? Well, the why was caused by staff sickness here at ROCKFLESH towers and our tenacious commitment to cover every tour that trundles through the north west. the how is a simple one of staggered start times and my trusty stead (i.e. me push bike).
Read MoreIt’s a chilly Thursday evening as my train pulls into Piccadilly. I’ve recently shaved part of my head and remembered… “Wow, having no hair is cold”.
We’re early into the year, but already one of the albums which is on repeat for me is the blistering “Destroy Yourself” by tonight’s headliners PENGSHUi. I’ve seemingly been waiting forever to see these guys again since their amazing set at Download festival in 2019. My own life has gone spectacularly wrong in recent weeks… covid… a massive dose of heart break, cheating, betrayal… getting caught up in the recent John Badger scandal… oh and the eyebrow lady didn’t wax me the way I like. It’s been fucking disastrous, so I’ve needed tonight like it was some kind of medicine, a hefty dose of therapy. Nothing heals you better than the music you love, right?
Read MoreFirst on are hardcore thrash merchants Last Wishes. We’re only about five bars into the first song and the roundhouse-kick-brigade are in full force. This guys sound a lot like Madball or Terror, and when they hit their stride remind me of very early Stick To Your Guns. They’re intensity and passion is contagious and the energy in the room remains high throughout their set. They do lose my attention at points with repetition within songs, and the guitar tone is a tad tiring with the nu-metal mid scoop.
Read MoreThe Star and Garter is one of the true diamonds when it comes to Manchester music venues. It’s a Grade II listed building that oozes the kind of warmth and charm that can't be bought. I'm sat on a long row of seats where the cushion has worn down to nothing and there's burn marks here and there, a reminder of the days you could have a cigarette with your pint (I’m just about old enough to remember smoking in pubs and clubs, having clocked up 3 or 4 years of drinking underage). Tonight we're here for SHVPES, the band I spent November raving about.
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