It’s been a few years since the last edition of Reaper Festival, so this show appearing once more was a welcome surprise when it did. The lineup is extremely strong, and it promises to be a great weekend. Kudos to the organisers too, (the always great Reaper Agency), for specifically Continue reading “Reaper Festival 2026 – Rebellion, Manchester, 14/02/26-15/02/26 (Live Review)”
Tonight, Manchester gets a severe case of The Doom. Stygian Bough Volume II is an excellent record that should have had pride of place on last year’s end of year list, (but frustratingly, there always seems to be one that slips through the cracks), so the opportunity to see it played live tonight was too good to miss. Added bonus – 40 Watt Sun. An unlooked for treat that’s Continue reading “Stygian Bough (Bell Witch & Aerial Ruin)/40 Watt Sun – Rebellion, Manchester – 09/02/26 (Live Review)”
This is quite the event. Legendary band Orange Goblin are calling it a day after 30 years, sadly, and this is their farewell tour. It’s sold out, which I’m happy for them about, as they’re a band who deserves all the success they have had and more. Tonight they’re joined by two other bands that I’m a fan of too, the mighty Grand Magus and the riff-tastic Urne. It promises to be a good one. Continue reading “End of Transmission: 1995-2025 The Final Tour – Orange Goblin/Grand Magus/Urne – Academy 2, Manchester – 13/12/25 (Live Review)”
Another year, another Damnation Festival. Has it really been 20 years? I went to the very first one waaaaay back in 2005, and a love affair was born. It has been great to watch it become one of the world’s best festivals. Kudos to the organisers for their continued passion and ability.
This edition is therefore the festival’s twentieth year and sees Damnation bigger and arguably better than ever before. It’s across two days now, and the lineup is strong in both depth and breadth. From veteran classics to newborn sensations, the festival has it all. Continue reading “Damnation Festival 2025 – BEC Arena, Manchester – 08/11/25-09/11/25 (Live Review)”
One of the hottest bands around at the moment, (for good reason), playing in a venue I haven’t been to before, supported by another great band I’ve really wanted to see? Hard to pass up. So here we are, Blood Incantation and Oranssi Pazuzu at Manchester’s Albert Hall. Win. Continue reading “Blood Incantation/Oranssi Pazuzu – Albert Hall, Manchester – 08/10/25 (Live Review)”
When a rare chance to see Portal and Impetuous Ritual appears, you take it. The show being opened by the mighty Abduction is then simply the icing on the top. Continue reading “Portal/Impetuous Ritual/Abduction – Rebellion, Manchester – 18/09/25 (Live Review)”
Both Pelican and Ni are in the UK for ArcTanGent, (I’ll get there one day), so it’s a great opportunity to catch them doing their thing. I don’t know Ni at all, but I’ve been waiting to get the chance to see Pelican for over two decades (!), so am very excited.
Yes isn’t a venue I’ve been to before, but I like it. Melvins are also playing Manchester tonight, which is a bit of bad luck for both bands really, as I’m pretty sure there are more than a few shared fans between them. Regardless, those in attendance tonight are in the right place as it turns out. Continue reading “Pelican/Ni – Yes (Pink Room), Manchester – 13/08/25 (Live Review)”
Psycroptic, Ghost Bath, and Underdark were originally part of a larger event, (with a pretty damn sexy lineup), that got cancelled for reasons unknown. In its place is this very enticing show, with only these three bands surviving the cut. It was a relatively late change, with the tickets not transferring, so I was hoping that this new event would have sold enough tickets in its own right to have a decent-sized crowd for the bands. Regardless of the turnout, I’ve been looking forward to this, Psycroptic especially, as I’ve never seen them and they’re one of the best tech death bands in existence. Continue reading “Psycroptic/Ghost Bath/Underdark – Rebellion, Manchester – 02/08/25 (Live Review)”
Offal Fest is a three-day festival of ultra-brutal death metal carnage. It consists of two main days, with a pre-show. Originally I was meant to attend both the Saturday and the Sunday, but much to my chagrin life got in the way, and instead the final four bands of the Sunday are all that I can manage, (I’m particularly gutted about missing Skinless). It’s time to make the most of it though, as I can still see some cracking bands, and I’ve been looking forward to it. Continue reading “Offal Fest – Sunday Evening – Defeated Sanity/Wormed/Indecent Excision/Iniquitous Savagery – Manchester Rebellion, 27/07/25 (Live Review)”
Mangata Festival was not at all on my radar, until I found out that Ante-Inferno, Abduction, and Devastator were playing it, (originally The Infernal Sea too). Throw in Wolvencrown, who I’ve never seen before, and it certainly peaked my interest. Continue reading “Mangata Festival – Nottingham, 12/07/25 (Live Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 