Live Review : Mr. Big + Jared James Nichols @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on March 20th 2024

Supergroups are never designed for longevity. They exist either as a water-treading exercise for name artists to fruitfully pass time whilst they wait for their main bands to reform or as an egotistical wish-fulfilment vehicle allowing musicians from different genres to work together without upsetting the apple cart of their day jobs. In celebrating 35 years of existence Mr. Big are the exception that proves the rule. Long ago they evolved beyond being a musical distraction for their constitute members and instead Mr. Big has become the thing that Billy Sheehan, Paul Gilbert and Eric Martin are now most well-known and revered for. Mr. Big have achieved the thing that very very few supergroups ever aspire to, as a whole they equal more than their individual parts.

Live Review : Polaris + Silent Planet + Thornhill + Paledusk @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on March 4th 2024

This is Polaris’ first appearance in Manchester since their now semi-legendary show at the Academy 2 back in September ‘22. In the intervening eighteen months the band has had drastic highs, including opening While She Sleeps’ massive headline bash at Ally Pally and snagging a main stage berth at Download ‘23, as well as drastic lows with the tragic passing of lead guitarist Ryan Siew in June 2023. But they have dusted themselves down and they are now back keeping his memory alive touring their amazing new album “Fatalism”.

Gig Review©Ryan Hickson5 March 2024O2 RitzPolaris, Silent Planet, Thornhill, Paledusk, O2 Ritz, Manchester, 2024, Live Review, Ryan HicksonComment

Live Review : Wargasm + Dropout kings + Harpy @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on December 13th 2023

It doesn’t take too long as Harpy’s set gets underway for the whole venue to be filled with smoke and that mixed with red atmospheric lighting means it’s hard to make out what is happening on stage. What I can see is she is a girl after my own heart, absolutely rocking the long black hair, liquid eyeliner and PVC outfit. Described as industrial/ goth pop, her soaring vocals remind me a little of Cassyette with musical undertones not dissimilar to A Perfect Circle, and a strong message in songs such as ‘Swallow’, which is about turning pain into power when you suffer abuse at the hands of another.

Gig ReviewAuthor : Samantha18 December 2023O2 RitzWargasm, Dropout Kings, Harpy, O2 Ritz, Manchester, 2023, Live Review, Samantha Harwood, Darren BirchComment

Live Review : Michael Schenker Group + Night Demon @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on November 28th 2023

Phew. A clash of happenings sees me dash to the Ritz just in time to catch the last couple of songs from Californian trad-metal trio Night Demon. This is a shame, because based on their self-titled set closer and the half a song I saw before it they are pretty damn good. They have flying vs, flying hair and a shirtless drummer. The sound is very solid early 80s British-influenced rock.

Live Review : Holding Absence + Thornhill + Dark Divine @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on November 22nd 2023

Arriving fashionably late as usual… what can I say I’ve only been back from Australia a week and jetlag has been kicking my ass… Dark Divine are already on stage and a small crowd are here to witness what this hard rock quintet has to offer. Visiting these shores all the way from Orlando Florida, Dark Divine formed in 2021, have recently toured with the likes of VV and Black Veil Brides and released their debut album “Deadly Fun” in September this year.

Live Review : Malevolence + Sylosis + Guilt Trip + Justice For The Damned @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on November 8th 2023

When Bloodstock Svengali Vicki Hungerford decreed that Malevolence would be bestowed a coveted special guest slot at next year's festival, there were many of us who were sceptical about the leap of faith that she was taking. After all, it was only yesterday that the Sheffield upstarts were cavorting about at the lower echelons of the Sophie stage.

Live Review : Animals As Leaders + ALLT @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on November 1st 2023

The singular support band tonight are ALLT, a hard hitting futuristic progressive metalcore band from Sweden. They take to the stage with backlit blue and white lights, and that backlit approach means for most of the set we’re simply left with silhouettes prowling the stage. ALLT are slick, professional and produce some impressive heavy modern metal. They soon get into their groove and take their set by the scruff of the neck, blending technical heaviness with anthemic yet gritty choruses.

Gig ReviewAuthor : Matt Fraser6 November 2023O2 RitzAnimal As Leaders, ALLT, O2 Ritz, Manchester, 2023, Live Review, Johann Wierzbicki, Matt FraserComment

Live Review : Cult Of Luna + GGGOLDDD + Slow Crush @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on October 19th 2023

The evolution and onward development of our music is such that it has diversified to an extent that there are portions of it that whilst still operating within its confines, sound nothing like its governing parameters. Tonight’s opening acts are cases in point. Both live within the envelope of extreme/heavy music, feature within the publications that ally to that world, play the festivals and events that serve that world, and support (as it is tonight) bands that firmly sit within that world. However, neither Slow Crush nor GGGOLDD dwell within any definable definition of metal.

Live Review : KK's Priest + Paul Di'Anno + Burning Witches @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on October 11th 2023

Until tonight I didn’t know a lot about Burning Witches. I knew they were all female, and I knew most of them were very tall as I once shared a lift with them (don’t ask!) but in terms of their musical output? Nada. In my head they looked a bit like Vixen so I was kind of expecting some lightweight froth rock. Nope. These girls have come to us from the Doro School of Rock.

Gig Review©Jo Crosby13 October 2023O2 RitzKK's Priest, Paul D'ianno, Burning Witches, O2 Ritz, Manchester, 2023, Live Review, Jo Crosby, Darren BirchComment

Live Review : Highly Suspect + The Picturebooks @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on September 16th 2023

Well, I’m going to cut to the chase… the highlight of the night happens within the first hour. The Picturebooks, tonight’s support act are outstanding. I suspect the sizeable crowd that have already gathered at the earlier than normal time of 7pm, have anticipated this too. This dynamic duo from Germany have 6 album and having only ever heard them on the radio, it is a delight to see them tearing up the stage tonight with their blues/ rock n roll goodness.

Live Review : Polyphia + Johan Lenox @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on May 13th 2023

Johan Lenox is not something that we at Rockflesh Towers would cover all too often. Despite this, his mixture of lo-fi hip hop with a unique classical arrangement is something that appeals to me as a listener and therefore when I saw he was supporting Polyphia, I gave him a listen and was immediately intrigued. His skills as a producer are unmatched, with a resume that includes working for Kanye West, Travis Scott and Brockhampton. These influences are all over his work, with trap influenced, bass heavy drums, immaculately complimented by his unique MO of classical influence.

Live Review : The Ghost Inside + Senses Fail + Dragged Under @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on March 30th 2023

The venue is still very much waiting to fill up as Dragged Under take to the stage. They were special guests for comeback Brixton show, and that impressive showing sees them taken on this full tour. The energy on the barrier is immediately electric despite the small crowd, and as they launch into opener ‘Instability’ and the early attendees erupt into a frenzy of head nodding and pumping fists. Frontman Tony Cappocchi stalks the stage like a caged animal, his voice soaring above the crunching guitars and thundering drums.

Live Review : Bad Omens + Ghøstkid + Oxymorrons @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on February 28th 2023

First up are the rap metal band Oxymorrons. Their mix of influences is impressive, and with their energetic and funky grooves they soon have everyone nodding along. They’ll appeal to fans of Fever333 and Skindred for sure, but they're also not afraid to break out some Turnstile type tunes too. One of the things that really impressees me about Oxymorrons is their ability to switch things up and keep the audience engaged.

Gig ReviewAuthor : Matt Fraser3 March 2023O2 RitzBad Omens, Ghstkid, Oxymorrons, O2 Ritz, Manchester, Live Review, 2023, Matt FraserComment

Live Review : Black Star Riders + Michael Monroe + Phil Campbell and The Bastard Sons @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on February 17th 2023

Everyone and their dog will be aware of Phil Campbell at this point. Joining a new look Motörhead in 1984, Campbell was a mainstay of the band until they disbanded after Lemmy Kilmeisters unfortunate passing in 2015. These days the Welsh guitarist can instead be found playing alongside the Bastard Sons. In case anyone was unaware of who they were, opening song ‘We Are the Bastards’ made sure that anyone yet unaware would quickly learn the name and what they were about.

Live Review : Katatonia + Sólstafir + Som @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on February 11th 2023

I need to be honest and say that this is one of those reviews where objectivity goes out the window. You see, for me, Sólstafir and Katatonia represent the finer points of modern metal. I adore, with a heartfelt passion, both acts, and, in my eyes, they illustrate how metal is evolving as an art form.Sólstafir’s bleak metallised sonic landscapes speak to my lifelong love for Springsteen, whilst Katatonia have taken remorseless doom and made it utterly beautiful. This long-delayed but much-anticipated tour brings them both together in what can only be a win-win scenario for those who like their metal based on emotion and pathos. The Ritz is not heaving, but there is a good-sized crowd in and the number of couples that I see in his and hers matching Sólstafir and Katatonia T-shirts shows that there is a massive cross-section in their two fan bases.

Gig ReviewAuthor : Stewart Lucas12 February 2023O2 RitzKatatonia, Sólstafir, Som, O2 Ritz, Manchester, 2023, Live Review, Stewart Lucas, Johann WierzbickiComment

Live Review : Leprous + Monuments + Kalandra @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on February 9th 2023

A source of perennial discussion at ROCKFLESH Towers is the question of what is metal. I have even gone so far as write a 666 on the subject. These deliberations are usually a prelude to the much thornier question of do we cover this or do we cover that band. The simple truth is that Leprous are probably beginning to orbit away from our world. Their last couple of albums have exited metal completely, with “Pitfalls” being a wonderful exercise in baroque pop, and “Aphelion” having the same relationship with metal that homoeopathy has with common sense. But that doesn't stop me from wanting to cover them, as they, metal or not metal, are quite simply an astounding live act.

Gig ReviewAuthor : Stewart Lucas11 February 2023O2 RitzLeprous, Monuments, Kalandra, O2 Ritz, Manchester, 2023, Live Review, Stewart Lucas, Johann WierzbickiComment

Live Review : The Amity Affliction + Fit for a King + Gideon + SeeYouSpaceCowboy @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on January 16th 2023

Despite it being a Monday night, the crowd is large and growing even as the doors open at 6:30pm for The Amity Affliction’s return to the UK. This is no surprise as TAA have always been well liked and supported on these shores, with every gig I’ve attended of theirs being packed to the rafters. I make my way up onto the balcony as Californian openers SeeYouSpaceCowboy take to the stage.

Live Review : The Dead Daisies + Graham Bonnet Band + FM @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on December 4th 2022

It’s certainly more than worth missing the footy for this evening with such a mouth-watering mix of brilliant rock to suitably whet the appetite instead. There’s a long queue outside and for some reason, a near half hour delay in getting those doors open, but not to worry though as a certain Doug Aldrich is busy hanging out at the front posing for pics and chatting with the freezing cold punters, with many in disbelief it’s actually him. Saying that, other various band members from tonight’s line up were also spotted loitering with intent including FM’s Pete Jupp making his way back in doing his best to save money by bringing his own ale in for the chaps to sup after their earlier than usual start.

Live Review : New Model Army + Zen Baseballbat @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on December 3rd 2022

One of the joys of this "job" (or should I call it glorified hobby?) is the ability to visit long-lost musical friends that may have slipped down the back of time’s infinite sofa. New Model Army soundtracked my transition from awkward teenager to socially inept adult. They were the background noise for political awakenings, unrequited crushes and harsh break-ups. They were also my bridge between metal and indie.

Live Review : Amorphis + Eluveitie + Dark Tranquility + Nailed To Obscurity @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on November 24th 2022

Fittingly for these austere times, this is a distinctly wallet-friendly four-band bonanza of a package tour. There are no fillers or loose ends here. Each artist is already an established force of nature with their own well-cultivated fan base. Whilst the Ritz is never heaving, there is a highly respectable amount of people packed into the place from the get-go. Nailed to Obscurity may have drawn the short straw in terms of start times (6 PM is rather early in most people's books) but they are rewarded with a highly enthusiastic reception and turnout.