Live Review : Arch Enemy + Amorphis + Eluveitie + Gatecreeper @ O2 Apollo, Manchester on October 31st 2025

It’s Halloween, the most metal day of the year, so it is only fitting that perennial metal troopers Arch Enemy have rocked up at the Apollo with a rather impressive battalion of supports in tow. Alissa proclaims that it is her favourite time of the year and she has gone all out to impress, besuited in luminous skull face paint. The audience itself is made up of a splattering of witches, ghouls and warlocks, though most have plumped for the rather benign fancy dress of middle-aged man in band t-shirt.

Gig ReviewAuthor : Stewart Lucas1 November 2025O2 ApolloArch Enemy, Amorphis, Eluveitie, Gatecreeper, O2 Apollo, Manchester, 2025, Live ReviewComment

Live Review : Arch Enemy + In Flames + Soilwork @ Academy, Manchester on October 4th 2024

Swedish melodic death metal, that most geographically defined of subgenres. It arose in the mid-90s when our music was at its lowest ebb. Grunge, "alt-metal” and the early spectre of nu-metal have swept away the more traditional confines of our world. Metallica seemingly had turned their back on everything they had built and had started wearing eyeliner and trying to sound like Alice in Chains and a Bruce-less Iron Maiden couldn’t even get themselves arrested.

Live Review : Amon Amarth + Arch Enemy + Hypocrisy @ O2 Apollo, Manchester on November 29th 20

It seems fitting that as the northern winds waft icy cold blasts across Manchester that they should also blow into town an exquisite Swedish Melo-Death triple bill. Aside from the obvious combination of gruff vocals and melodic guitar lines, what all three acts have in common is grit, determination and resilience. With a heady mix of hard work, blood, sweat and road-miles, all three bands have earned the respect that the sold out crowd show them. These are acts that show that it may well be a long way to the top, but if you stick to your guns and your principals you will get there.