Harbinger top the bill in what is otherwise a showcase of local talent for this all-dayer at Rebellion. There’s a mix of styles on display, but at the core if it all is metal, and some unique and fresh takes on various sub-genres at that. It’s an early start, and we’re told the venue has plenty of footfall from the mid-afternoon doors until the evening when we land at the venue.
Read MoreHaving an addiction to live music is not a cheap pursuit. Club gigs are now coming in at around twenty quid and to see a more “name act” in either an Academy, Apollo or various O2 establishments is probably going to set you back the best part of fifty notes. If you are parting with that much hard currency for a night out, you want dependability. You want to be reassured that you will have a good time and are getting adequate bang for your buck. Cannibal Corpse are nothing but dependable.
Read MoreIf Kyuss are Stoner Rock's Beatles (universally revered, rather pretentious, and no longer with us) then that makes Monster Magnet its Stones. There was always something a bit more organic, primal and downright sexy about Dave Wyndorff's crew that made them stand out from the other purveyors of mind-expanding space rock. Tonight is the start of a jaunt to celebrate 35 years of psychedelic riffs and cosmic baselines.
Read MoreIf ever there was a band made of teflon, you would probably call it Tyketto. For over 30 years the lineup changes have come and gone, the fashion for their kind of music has circled around, and the great and good have risen past them only to fall by the wayside. Yet through it all this band remains solid, powerful, uplifting and entertaining. If there have been Issues they just slide away like a freshly-fried egg in a well-seasoned pan. Tonight they are back in Manchester for the umpteenth time, bringing both a local(ish) lad and a not-often-seen band as support.
Read MoreTonight the inaugural UK deathcore tour organised by promoter Dead Species rolls into Manchester after starting off in Newcastle last week. As a Brucey bonus Draconian Reign have been added to the roster after having to miss the first date due to illness within the band. First to take to the stage are Bournemouth’s To Obey A Tyrant.
Read MoreAfter eight years of Rockflesh.com contravening grammatical structures, it is only inevitable that there will be repetition and repeat offenders. Whilst there is a myriad of acts that this here website has covered twice or thrice, there is only a handful of musical vendors that we have caught up with in numerous locations and on numerous occasions. A particular frequent flyer is those ubiquitous test-tube breed hard rockers, The Dead Daisies. There was a point before the pandemic when they seemed to be everywhere and had taken up squatters' rights in this country.
Read MoreIt feels like an age since the always impressive Northlane got across to us headlining, and this time they’ve brought a killer lineup in the form of Novelists and ten56. It’s a bill packed full of unique and dynamic takes on metal sub-genres – each with a distinct and immediately recognisable style and unmistakable technicality.
Read MoreThe Ferret is making a very welcome habit of putting on the highest quality rock and metal gigs of late, bringing in a fascinating and eclectic mix of bands to their stage and invigorating the Preston scene at the same time. And tonight, is no exception, pulling off something of a coup hosting An Evening with These Wicked Rivers, for their first ever visit to the city.
Read MoreThere was a time in the early 2000s where Ill Niño were everywhere. Ripping up the tent at Download. Appearing on the Roadrunner Road Rage tour with Spineshank and Chimaira. Even singing about your favourite stripey jumpered horror icon on the epic soundtrack to Freddy vs Jason. To the nu metal kids of the time, these guys were massive, and tonight more than two decades later, Ill Niño take to the stage again in Manchester.
Read MoreDeath metal was envisaged as a repugnant knee-jerk reaction to the excess and blatant commerciality of eighties hair metal. It was meant to burn bright and leave a grizzled corpse. However, something caught and nearly 40 years later Death Metal is in rude health. Tonight is an interesting and potent mix of obnoxious upstarts, cult heroes and venerated legends of the genre. Rebellion is heaving and the generational mix is both fascinating and varied.
Read MoreAs Blackpool basks in what is probably the last gasp of summer, it definitely feels like change is in the air. And if it’s hot outside, in the confines of the Waterloo the sell-out crowd are pushing the temperatures up to the level of a day trip to fifth circle of Hell.
To say there is a level of excitement and anticipation ahead of tonight’s show, would be a colossal understatement. Such is the loyalty and passion that A’Priori inspire, that many have travelled big distances to be here, from the furthest reaches of the country and even internationally to witness the launch of A’Priori’s new album “Voodoo Love”.
Read MoreIt’s a school night and the Kickin’ Valentina rock n’ roll circus rolls into Blackpool for an evening of rocket-fuelled, high energy sleaze n’ roll, and with the weekend just around the corner the crowd seem intent on starting it a day early. Kickin’ Valentina have forged a hard-won reputation for delivering no-nonsense electrifying live performances, this time around bringing along the effervescent The Midnight Devils, for what is set to be a double-bill of legendary proportions, and another entry into the annals of unforgettable nights at the Waterloo.
Read MoreRather than a case of "Wish you were here!", this evening is brought to you by "Why the hell weren't you here?”. You see Satan are simply astounding and it is an absolute travesty that not more of Manchester's metal fraternity are gathered in the cavernous confines of The Bread Shed to witness it. They manage to be astounding not in a rose-tinted spectacles nostalgia way, where you forgive the ravages of time in the light of being able to see living legends in the flesh.
Read MoreHave you ever been to a gig which you suspected was going to be good, but when you got there it exceeded all your expectations? Well if you managed to catch The Lazys and Junkyard Drive on their current run of UK dates you may very well have. Both are not regular visitors to these shores, with The Lazys hailing all the way from Australia and Junkyard Drive hopping over the North Sea from Denmark, and both absolutely brought their A-game to the Tivoli on this occasion.
Read MoreMoldova's Infected Rain blew us away with their set at Bloodstock Festival a few weeks ago, and we couldn't pass up the chance to see them play a more intimate venue in Manchester. Their take on modern metal is unique and dynamic, and in Lena Scissorhands they have a charismatic and engaging focal point. We managed to catch up with Lena for a chat prior to the gig (Interview HERE) and then were treated to a superb headline set.
Read MoreGypsy’s Kiss hold a special place in the storied history of Iron Maiden, being one of Steve Harris’ earliest bands, and to see them on the same bill as the legendary Paul Di’Anno has to be a Maiden completists dream. Formed fifty years ago Gypsy’s Kiss returned to action six years ago after a decades long hiatus and what is immediately apparent is that the six -piece band certainly still have something to say and play with a verve and flair that belies a half century pedigree.
Read MoreVinyl Tap continues their fine run of bringing the best rock n roll, both international and home-grown to their small but perfectly formed venue in the heart of Preston. And tonight’s bill illustrates that perfectly, with the exquisite grooves of L.A’s The Mercury Riots sharing a stage with Cumbrian heroes, Heartbreak Remedy. And whilst the two may be thousands of miles apart geographically, musically they share a common DNA, a desire to deliver good time, life-affirming rock n roll, that lets you forget your problems and worries for a couple of hours, and leaves you with a grin on your face and a lighter spirit. And tonight, both bands proceed to do precisely that…
Read MoreNow that Matt Skiba's substitute stint in Blink 182 has come to an end, it is time for Alkaline Trio to once again take the full extent of his attention. Over a warm mancunian weekend they have managed to sell out the Ritz for a second time on this particular jaunt around the shires despite competing distractions such as Radar festival (which ROCKFLESH are also covering, review HERE) and two comic cons.
Read MoreFirst visit to Percy’s tonight and wow, what a venue. It’s small, cosy, quirky and interesting. The band room is out the back and despite being fairly cramped the sound is good so if necessary you can sit in the comfort of an ex-aeroplane seat (with table in the arms and a working recline button) or dentist chair, with your drink on an NHS trolley, and watch proceedings on a video screen.
Read MoreAfter a hectic week or so of dashing around the world in pursuit of musical excellence it’s good to be back in the dark, cool confines of The Tivoli for 2 of the UK’s finest alliterations, Tigertailz and Takeaway Thieves. The bar is cheap, the atmos is friendly and the crowd is keen – just how a good gig should be.
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