Live Reviews – Wonderbox Metal

Nails/Rotten Sound/Invunche – Rebellion, Manchester – 05/10/26 (Live Review)

Tonight is a good night for sonic violence, and here are three bands very well-placed to dish it out. Within such a brutal niche as tonight’s show, Nails are big fish, (and that’s before you factor in the draw of the mighty Rotten Sound, as well as opener Invunche). Rebellion is therefore as busy as you’d expect it to be, and space is at a premium. If this show isn’t sold out, then it’s pretty damn close to it. Continue reading “Nails/Rotten Sound/Invunche – Rebellion, Manchester – 05/10/26 (Live Review)”

Tynebound 2026 – Anarchy Brew Co, Newcastle upon Tyne, 05/09/26-06/09/26 (Live Review)

It’s the inaugural Tynebound, brought to us by the lovely Reaper Agency. It’s a sister festival of this year’s Reaper Festival, and if it’s even half as good as that was, this weekend will be a smashing success. With a great lineup over both days, it’s time to embrace the northern darkness. Continue reading “Tynebound 2026 – Anarchy Brew Co, Newcastle upon Tyne, 05/09/26-06/09/26 (Live Review)”

ArcTanGent Festival 2026 – Fernhill Farm, Compton Martin, 21/08/26-22/08/26 (Live Review)

ArcTanGent is the UK’s premier outdoor alternative music festival, and it’s a great pleasure to have so many great bands here over one weekend, from all over the world.

It’s this writer’s first time at the festival, even if it’s only for the Friday and the Saturday, and it turns out to be an extremely enjoyable and rewarding couple of days. The festival’s organisation, layout, lineup, and everything else have clearly been thought about closely and iterated upon over time. The end result is a festival experience that’s one of the best out there. Continue reading “ArcTanGent Festival 2026 – Fernhill Farm, Compton Martin, 21/08/26-22/08/26 (Live Review)”

Spectral Wound/Final Dose – Gorilla, Manchester – 06/08/26 (Live Review)

Tonight’s bill is a red hot one, and the opportunity to see Spectral Wound in an intimate venue like Gorilla is not to be missed. Continue reading “Spectral Wound/Final Dose – Gorilla, Manchester – 06/08/26 (Live Review)”

Acid Bath/Green Lung/Conan – Academy 1, Manchester – 25/06/26 (Live Review)

Acid Bath’s UK debut is one of the hottest shows of the year, in more ways than one. Add to this the mighty Conan and Green Lung, and you have an absolutely scorching bill on an absolutely scorching day. It’s roasting inside and outside of the venue, and it promises to be an extremely sweaty night, but a brilliant one too. Continue reading “Acid Bath/Green Lung/Conan – Academy 1, Manchester – 25/06/26 (Live Review)”

Fortress Festival 2026 – Scarborough Spa, Scarborough, 30/05/26-31/05/26 (Live Review)

Has it really been a year since last year’s excellent Fortress Festival? Apparently so. Fortress has quickly established itself as one of the world’s premier black metal festivals, (some would say THE premier black metal festival), and it’s brilliant to have yet another year with a massive amount of fantastic bands. Increasingly, attendees get to experience some very rare appearances too.

Before we get into it – as was the case last year, this review is greatly enriched by the stunning photographs from the very talented Aleksandra Hogg, so a huge thanks to her once more. I urge you to check out her work at Acidolka here, here, or here. Continue reading “Fortress Festival 2026 – Scarborough Spa, Scarborough, 30/05/26-31/05/26 (Live Review)”

We Lost the Sea/Overhead, the Albatross/Dimscûa – Academy 2, Manchester – 24/05/26 (Live Review)

Brought to us by the excellent 2 Promoters, 1 Pod podcast, tonight’s show promises to be something special. All three bands are exemplary in their own way, and all three are unmissable in their own right. Continue reading “We Lost the Sea/Overhead, the Albatross/Dimscûa – Academy 2, Manchester – 24/05/26 (Live Review)”

Dragged into Sunlight/Vacuous/Plague Pit – Club Academy, Manchester – 30/05/26 (Live Review)

Manchester’s hot ticket is tonight is Dragged into Sunlight, and people have turned out in force. As usual, their merch queue is ridiculous, and it stays ridiculous for a ridiculous amount of time. Good for them. They’re not the only tasty treat on this gnarled bill though; first comes death metal most foul. Continue reading “Dragged into Sunlight/Vacuous/Plague Pit – Club Academy, Manchester – 30/05/26 (Live Review)”

Blackbraid/Winterfylleth/Noctem – Rebellion, Manchester – 10/04/26 (Live Review)

Tonight’s show is sold out, and with good reason; Blackbraid and Winterfylleth is a potent combination. Add in Noctem too, and it’s sure to be a draw. It’s going to be a busy one tonight. Continue reading “Blackbraid/Winterfylleth/Noctem – Rebellion, Manchester – 10/04/26 (Live Review)”

Exhumed/Gruesome/Acid Vat – Rebellion, Manchester – 07/04/26 (Live Review)

Exhumed and Gruesome touring together is a strong bill. With the singer of Exhumed pulling double duty in both bands, (vocals and guitar), it promises to be a great night of death metal fun. Continue reading “Exhumed/Gruesome/Acid Vat – Rebellion, Manchester – 07/04/26 (Live Review)”