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 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)”
It’s a sold out show tonight, and Rebellion is busy. The Callous Daoboys are roasting hot right now, as they should be. It promises to be an intense, exciting evening for fans of atypical heavy/alternative music. Continue reading “The Callous Daoboys/Knives/Love Rarely – Rebellion, Manchester – 25/02/26 (Live Review)”
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)”
Wonderbox Metal 