Live Review : Svalbard + Cage Fight + Knife Bride @ Rebellion, Manchester on November 20th 2025

Svalbard may well cover unsettling subject matters, but they always had an element of joy about them. The music they choose to accompany their treaties on depression and isolation has consistently had a euphoric element to it. It uplifts as opposed to grinding down the listener. Whilst Serena Cherry cheekily welcomes us to their funeral, tonight's final performance in Manchester before they call it a day, has an air of celebration as opposed to commiseration. Serena herself is positively bouncy and comes across as being in a particularly healthy state of mind. It is obvious they are very proud of everything the band has achieved, but that they are also very aware of when to step away. As Serena declares midway through the show, “We are ending like we started, with passion in our hearts and no money in our bank accounts”.

Live Review : Cage Fight + Grief Ritual + Only The Righteous + Deified @ Satan's Hollow, Manchester on November 30th 2022

We’re back at Satan’s Hollow this time on the last Wednesday before December, and we’re going heavy and hard tonight! Before we have the gig, Johann and I dash to the venue to grab an interview with Cage Fight. And what an interview it is! Seriously, it’s one of the most chaotic, unhinged and fun interviews we’ve done yet, so definitely check it out HERE. But you’re here to read about the gig - so let’s get to it!

Live Review : Sepultura + Raging Speedhorn + Cage Fight @ The Tivoli, Buckley on June 12th 2022

Tonight I am a fish so far out of water I might as well be up a tree. Getting Brazillian thrash pioneers Sepultura at the Tiv, one of just 3 appearances outside their Download set, was a real coup for them. There was no way ROCKFLESH could ignore it, I mean these guys are one of the cornerstones of the music most of my colleagues live for. And that’s the problem. They are in the UK to play Download Festival, and essentially everyone else is at Download too. So here I am, clutching my notebook somewhat nervously and wondering what on earth I have let myself in for. I have never heard a single song by any of tonight’s artists, couldn’t even name a band member for you. It’s all new, which is also kind of exciting I suppose. So fortified with a large rum I step into the fray. Let’s do this.