Live Review : Rosen Bridge + Eschalon + PULSE + Winter Hotel @ Lions Den, Manchester on June 20th 2025

I know I’m not the only one who really misses Tech Fest, and tonight’s gig is filled with familiar faces both in the crowd and on the stage. In fact, Tech-Fest founder and mastermind Simon Garrod is up on the stage tonight in his band Eschalon. It gives us a first chance to see them live and to say we’re excited would be a massive understatement. Add to that the varied lineup of Winter Hotel, PULSE and headliners Rosen Bridge and we’ve got a night of alternative-tech fit for any venue.

First up we have local band Winter Hotel. It’s like a swirling, chaotic conjuring of avant-garde black metal and poetic hardcore that bends genre expectations until they crack. The sound is dense and spectral, at times raw and razor-sharp, then suddenly it fractures into eerie churning that bristles with intent. We’ve seen Matt Neave as Leatherback previously, but tonight here he provides nuanced lead guitar work. The drums slam beneath fragmented, angular, jagged riffs.

There's an emotional precision that underlines the whole thing, giving a sense that every moment is intentional, almost ritualistic. Frontman Warren Porter delivers the vocals like incantations, best described as equal parts holler and recital, channelling anguish and insight in balanced measure. At times the performance feels less like a gig and more like a dramatic monologue backed by a metal soundscape. The crowd stands engaged and rapt, banging their heads along more than moshing, which seems more apt because Winter Hotel make their show feel like theatre and poetry.

A broken ankle could’ve put pay to PULSE’s appearance tonight, but their frontman refused to throw the towel in and we’re treated to their groovy brutal onslaught as billed. They take to the stage with deceptive reserve, but that calm quickly erupts into a ferocious, high-voltage performance (despite the ankle!) that commands the crowd’s attention from start to finish. Their sound channels the raw aggression of bands like Alpha Wolf, with the industrial edge of Pitchshifter, and the crunching grove of Graphic Nature. From the first note their delivery is dialled in and razor-sharp, giving space for the full impact of their intensity and precision.

The guitars are lost in the mix, likely a side-effect of being DI’d through the PA, but when we can hear them, they’re a gritty, up-tempo grind-fest reminiscent of Emmure, blending technicality with sheer brutality. The bass (ably delivered by Winter Hotel’s Matt Neave as stand-in) and drums though lock in seamlessly to form a monolithic wall of sound, landing with pinpoint accuracy, propelling every track forward. The vocals meanwhile tear through each track with savage force and visceral emotion. The band perform with tightness and confidence, hinting at an evolving sound that flirts with plenty of genre boundaries while staying rooted in a core of punishing metalcore.

Eschalon step into the main support slot with confidence and a sound that’s clearly well thought-out. With Tech-Fest guru Simon Garrod on guitar, their brand of tech-metal leans into intricacy and clarity without overindulgence. There's precision in their delivery - nuanced rather than flashy - and that considered approach adds depth to their set. The smart, technical drumming keeps things shifting without losing control, while the bass adds weight and movement beneath, complementing the more complex layers. Garrod shows impressive skills on guitar, despite the sound balance issues, crafting parts that feel integrated into the songs rather than designed to stand out on their own. The complexity is there, but it's handled with care.

The contrast between the dual vocals of frontmen Brad Makinson and Maximo David adds versatility, that sees both delivering with presence and a grounded connection to the crowd. The shifts between harsh and melodic are handled expertly, and even if not every transition lands with the force it might, the intention is clear. They might fall under the umbrella of tech-metalcore, but there’s a maturity to Eschalon that suggests they’re more than just genre stylists. There’s hopefully growing momentum for them, as they show signs of a band steadily shaping their own identity.

Headliners Rosen Bridge take to the stage with intention. Hailing from North Wales, the band clearly draws influence from juggernauts like Northlane and Architects, yet tonight’s performance feels more like a sketch of potential rather than a fully realised end product. The riffs are completely lost due to the sound balance, and we’re left with low-end grooves, with the tracks too often feeling like they drift without a clear destination. The technicality is visually present, but not always purposeful, leaving moments that potentially would feel more like exercises than expressions. Meanwhile, the harsh vocals try to punch through convincingly, but the clean sections suffer with pitching and a lifeless mix, blunting any emotional pull.

There’s cohesion in the set, but not much that lingers after the dust settles. Transitions into breakdowns feel telegraphed rather than thrilling, and the quieter dynamic dips lack the tension needed to make the impact truly hit. To their credit, Rosen Bridge have a great sense of togetherness on stage, but there’s a missing spark with a lack of standout hooks or surprises to elevate the set from serviceable to memorable. With refinement, better live sound, and a tighter handle on dynamics and songwriting, they could bridge the gap between influence and identity. Tonight, though, they unfortunately fall just short of leaving a lasting mark.

Check the “In The Flesh” page for more photos!
Rosen Bridge + Eschalon + PULSE + Winter Hotel