Live Review : Katatonia + Evergrey + Klogr @ Academy 2, Manchester on December 7th 2025

The departure in May of founding Katatonia member Anders Nyström felt both inevitable and cryptically timed. It arrived shortly after the exit of the other remaining founding member Jonas Renkse’s from their death metal side project Bloodbath and on the eve of the release of the band’s 13th studio effort. With the recruitment of Nico Elgstrand and Sebastian Svalland into the ranks to replace the departing Nyström and Roger Ojersson, “Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State” simultaneously cemented Katatonia’s position as doom metal for those with PhDs and stuck a ruddy great red line between the modern incarnation of the band and their previous death doom leanings.

Gig ReviewAuthor : Stewart Lucas8 December 2025Academy 2Katatonia, Evergrey, Klogr, Academy 2, Manchester, 2025, Live ReviewComment

Live Review : Evergrey + Klogr + Inner Vitriol @ Rebellion, Manchester on December 16th 2024

The golden rule of music journalism is to remember that no matter who the act is and no matter how lowly the circumstances that you are covering them in, for someone somewhere they are their favourite band ever. Evergrey svengali Tom Englund is the first to admit that tonight’s showing is rather disappointing. “Next time we come you bring your wives, your girlfriends, your boyfriends, your drug dealers, your lawyers, bring anyone” he deadpans during the set. However, despite the attendance being at a level where everybody needs to keep their coats on (including a fellow with a remarkably multicoloured jacket that captures Tom's eyes), the atmosphere is exceptionally buoyant and scintillatingly succulent. This is because for those who have made it out to central Manchester on a cold Monday night, Evergrey are either their favourite band or at the very least making great swipes at holding that accolade.

Live Review : Evergrey + Fractal Universe + Virtual Symmetry @ Academy 3, Manchester on September 20th 2022

We are still in catch up mode. Evergrey were meant to visit these shores just as Covid first reared its ugly head. They then made another doomed attempt last Autumn as the pandemic’s tailwind still thrashed around the world. But finally, over two years late we are on. However, so much water has passed under the bridge they are now here to promote not one but two new records produced during the global slumber. Selective appeal is tonight’s watch word. Academy 3 is not particularly heaving but everybody here seems to both know and revere all of the three of the acts on offer.

Live Review : Kamelot + Evergrey + Visions of Atlantis @ Academy Club in Manchester on March 21st 2019

I have to confess to being a tad over-excited this evening as this is power metal royalty Kamelot’s first ever visit to Manchester. For a band of their stature and longevity that fact is at best an oversight and at worst rather embarrassing, though to be honest not wholly unexpected. You see power metal acts struggle to comprehend that the UK stretches beyond the north circular and visits north of the border (which in their minds lies around Watford) are a rare occurrence.