Live Review : The Sisters Of Mercy + A.A. Williams @ The Albert Hall, Manchester on March 7th 2020

There was a lot of discussion in the virtual ROCKFLESH office (essentially a messenger thread) about whether we should be covering this show at all. There were those that argued that Goth was separate to our world and those (me) that put forward the alternative opinion that Goth and Metal have had an entwined relationship over the decades and whilst separate genres, do have a symbiotic connection. There has been metalheads that have dabbled in the forbidden (and better dressed) pleasures of goth (including myself) and goths that have crossed the divide over into Metal.

Gig ReviewAuthor : Stewart Lucas8 March 2020Albert HallSister Of Mercy, Albert HallComment

Live Review : Testament + Exodus + Death Angel @ Academy, Manchester on March 7th 2020

Last Saturday night, the Unholy Trinity of the Bay Area Thrash Scene descended upon an enthusiastic and energetic Manchester crowd. The event made history as it was part of The Bay Strikes Back Tour, which saw bands Testament, Exodus and Death Angel touring together for the very first time.The gig was sold out and the entire venue was packed to the brim from start to finish, with many people even having to stand outside the main hall – leaving you just enough room in front of you to headbang.

Live Review : Anvil + Ragdoll Sunday + Electus @ The Tivoli, Buckley on March 6th 2020

Anvil. Could a band name actually be more heavy metal than Anvil? A band from Canada that have been going for some 40 years through good times and bad. Some times so bad in fact that someone made a documentary about them. Yeah, this band is special alright. But more about them later, first let’s have a quick look at the two supports.

Live Review : Alcest + Birds In Row + Kælan Mikla @ Gorilla, Manchester on March 5th 2020

Kælan Mikla are an interesting proposition. This Icelandic trio come across as a mismatch of Fever Ray, Bjork and the Perturbator. Its all dark, synthy and haunting. Like the soundtrack of some forgotten eighties Vampire movie. The rapidly filling Gorilla take to them instantly and the audience reaction grows as the sold out crowd file in from the cold Mancunian night.

Live Review : Monuments + Heart Of A Coward + I Built The Sky @ Rebellion, Manchester on March 3rd 2020

I’m delighted that this two-date stop-off in the UK for Monuments is taking in Manchester, especially as they have Heart Of A Coward in tow, with both being in my list of favourite bands of recent times. This is in fact the second to last date of a pretty gruelling tour, including across Europe for the past month. There’s little sign of weariness from any of the acts though, as they bound around the venue checking out each other’s sets and soaking-up the atmosphere. They all seem buzzing to be here for tonight’s gig, and the anticipation from the crowd matches that atmosphere.

Live Review : Beartooth + The Amity Affliction + Higher Power @ The Academy, Manchester on February 28th 2020

Beartooth’s Disease tour has finally landed in Manchester, and it’s an exciting prospect to see them on such a big stage for their own headline show. Add to that the chance to see The Amity Affliction, and the UK’s very own up-and-coming hot property Higher Power, and you’ve got a real treat for a cold and blustery Friday night in February. As I make my way to Academy for tonight’s gig I’m shocked at the length of the queue. I knew the gig was sold out weeks ago, but I’ve never seen such a massive queue for a gig at Academy before – for all those saying Metal and Rock is dead, then tell that to all the mainly young metallers stood freezing in the cold tonight!

Live Review : Terrorvision + Attic Theory @ the Grand Central Hall, Liverpool on February 27th 2020

Last time I went to watch Attic Theory I managed to miss most of them due to parking issues. This time I was there for the whole set but I might as well not have been. it was somewhat spoiled by some serious sound issues. They came on dancing, but despite there being 3 guitars on stage I couldn’t really hear them distinctly, it was just a wall of noise. I moved about the room a bit and it did improve, but not enough I felt for me to be able to get the full Attic Theory experience.

Live Review : Massive Wagons + Anchor Lane + Mad Haven @ The Tivoli, Buckley on February 21st 2020

I’ve not been getting my usual Wagons fix recently, so when the opportunity came up to pop along to their first “breakin outta the studio” tour date, I jumped at it. After all, who doesn’t want to drive down the M56 in a storm so bad it’s got a name, just to see them? Well, me actually. So I brought the Grumpy Husband along to do that bit.

Gig ReviewAuthor : Jo Crosby26 February 2020The TivoliMassive Wagons, Anchor Lane, Mad Haven, The Tivoli, Buckley, 2020, Live ReviewComment

Live Review : Fleshgod Apocalypse + Bloodshot Dawn + Frozen In Shadows + BruteAllies @ Rebellion, Manchester on February 16th 2020

There is a carnival atmosphere in Rebellion tonight. In fact, there is an actual birthday party going on complete with paper hats and badges. The Birthday boy with intent is celebrating the anniversary of his arrival on this planet in style and spends more time on stage than most of the bands. The upbeat playful atmosphere is also because the first half of the undercard is a distinctly Manc affair.BruteAllies and Frozen in Shadows have brought all their friends and families along to join in the fun. It may be 7pm on a Sunday but the place is packed from the off and pits start from the moment that the first note is blasted out.

Live Review : The HU + Fire From The Gods @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on Februaty 12th 2020

There is a school of thought that Metal has transcended being simply a musical form and instead has become an attitude, a state of being, a unifying way of thinking. If that is so, it is then entirely logical that you can be “Metal” without actually playing Metal music. Tonight is very much case in point. To these ears, The Hu play contemporary Mongolian Folk, but the way it is delivered is one hundred percent Metal. The audience is a bizarre mix of open minded metalheads and a smattering aficionados of what, rather patronisingly, used to be known as World Music. The Ritz is also packed, seriously packed. The HU may well be a rather left field addition to our world, but boy have they pulled a crowd.

Live Review : Wheel + The New Death Cult @ Deaf Institute, Manchester on February 10th 2020

There’s something satisfying about a two bands bill, as long as both bands step-up to the task. If you only take one thing from this review, then it’s that both these bands are a fantastic treat live and you’d be a fool not to catch them next chance you get. Got that? Still here though? Then let me continue…

Live Review : Steel Panther + Wayward Sons @ Victoria Warehouse, Manchester on February 9th 2020

If the joke isn’t funny anymore then nobody has told the five thousand people queuing in a storm to get into the venue. This is the night we were warned to stay in, batten down the hatches and hold our children close, yet a sold out crowd has ignored the prophets of doom and ventured out into the night. Even the Man Citeh game was cancelled due to Storm Ciara but Victoria Warehouse didn’t care that there was at least an hour long queue to get into the venue. Seriously if you’re going to frisk everyone and check the contents of their wallets then get more staff on the doors. Perhaps use the security who go around the vicinity bullying punters into paying £10 to park on public land would be a start.

Live Review : Delain + CyHra @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on February 7th 2020

Being an absolute In Flames fanboy I was very enticed by the prospect of CyHra as they contain not one but two former members of, in my humble opinion, Sweden’s greatest gift to metal. However, my anticipation was rather deflated when I discovered that not only had Peter Iwers actually left the band back in 2018 to start brewing beer in the suburbs of Gothenburg (teach me not to read the promotional material), but the legend that is Jesper Strömblad is also AWOL apparently taking an extended sabbatical from live performances. I therefore go into tonight’s show with rather low expectations and then preceded to have them blown to pieces.

Gig ReviewAuthor : Stewart Lucas9 February 2020O2 RitzDelain, Cyhra, O2 Ritz, Manchester, 2020, Live Review, Stewart Lucas, Johann WierzbickiComment

Live Review : Anti-Flag + The Creepshow + Maid Of Ace @ Academy Club, Manchester on February 5th 2020

Gigs at Club Academy are always interesting, as the venue itself is pretty unusual. It’s the shape of the venue – it’s a club. Sounds obvious, but it does sometimes pose a conundrum to bands who don’t know how to bring the crowd together from various perching points on the stairs/ramps all the way down to the moshpit. No such problems for opening act Maid of Ace who are four sisters from Hastings that make full-on punk-rock. And they’re damn good at it.

Live Review : 3TEETH + PIG @ Rebellion in Manchester on February 3rd 2020

I love nu metal, and death metal, and metalcore, and grunge, and Tori Amos, and drum and bass.

But what I really really love is Industrial.

And with a queue snaked around the corner of Rebellion on a Monday night at 7.30pm, you just know all the finest and freakiest Manchester has to offer are here for one of THE most exciting industrial bands in the world. There is also one bloke from Kent I discover as I stomp down to the venue. He went drinking with the headliners once. My fangirl heart withers a little in its jealous cage, but I remain cool and composed with this info. I'm fine.

Gig ReviewAuthor : Sarah Cummings6 February 2020Rebellion3TEETH, PIG, Rebellion, Manchester, 2020, Live Review, Sarah Cummings, Johann WierzbickiComment

Live Review : The Wildhearts + Backyard Babies + CKY @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on January 31st 2020

Do you know who CKY are? I didn’t. I vaguely remember their logo and had them firmly placed in my head as being part of the post-grunge American punk explosion of the late 90s. Not familiar with their output but doing my homework like a good little reviewer I thought they would be loud, shouty, brash, fast-paced and funny. After all, the drummer is Bam Margera’s brother, so they had to be a little bit Jackass, right?

Gig ReviewAuthor : Jo Crosby3 February 2020O2 RitzThe Wildhearts, Backyard Babies, CKY, O2 Ritz, Manchester, 2020, Jo Crosby, Johann WierzbickiComment

Live Review : Sleep Token + Exploring Birdsong @ The Arts Club, Liverpool on January 27th 2020

The Arts Club in Liverpool often feels like a miniature amphitheater, what with its steeply stepped forum and decorated auditorium, so it seems a fitting venue for such a theatrical band as Sleep Token to bring their mysterious act to bear.

Local act Exploring Birdsong are an intriguing addition to the prog scene. The late 2019 release of their EP “The Thing With Feathers” has pushed them more explicitly into the limelight, and support slots of this stature will only serve them well.

Live Review : Twin Temple + The Violent Hearts @ The Deaf Institute, Manchester on January 27th 2020

You can’t help but feel sorry for Brummie support act the Violent Hearts. Their brand of goth inspired post-punk is really rather dandy and brings to mind a halfway house between Orange Juice and the Chameleons but this is so not their audience. In fact, I am rather nonplussed what or who this audience actually is. It is a about 25% curious metalheads, 25% Wicca and 50% hipster (the immaculately manicured beards and the pints of Porter (the new IPA) are a plenty).

Live Review : Thy Art Is Murder + Carnifex + Fit For An Autopsy + Rivers of Nihil + I Am @ Academy 2, Manchester on January 26th 2020

Sunday night is never a good night for a gig. I'd have maybe even got a little drunk on a Saturday. Prescription strength folic acid and vitamin D washed down with several pints. Doctor says I'm severely lacking in the essential nutrients to keep me functioning. Tonight should be fun then.

Extreme tiredness and unreliable Sunday public transport aside, I have managed to make it to Manchester Academy 2 for tonight’s fuckery. And it's fuckery in its finest form... Thy Art Is Murder are in town tonight and they bring with them an incredible line up. The line-up is 5 ferocious bands, all with their own thing to offer a Metal hungry audience.

Live Review : Revival Black + Scarlet Rebels + Attic Theory @ Jimmy's, Liverpool on January 24th 2020

First gig of the year and I am starting my review, as usual, by complaining about the traffic. Well actually not so much the traffic this time as the parking. Jimmy’s is a cool little basement venue under a bar/restaurant just on the edge of Liverpool’s China Town, which means that there is limited on-street parking nearby which was all full, and an incomprehensible one-way system of little streets that saw us drive past 3 times before we finally found our way to a pay and display within walking distance. Sadly this meant that my enjoyment of openers Attic Theory was restricted to their last song. This was frustrating because on the strength of said song they appear to be a decent band. They have two vocalists, some nice whoa-oh-oh chorus and a hint of Chilli Peppers. Hopefully I will be able to check them out properly at some point.

Gig ReviewAuthor : Jo Crosby25 January 2020Jimmy'sRevival Black, Scarlet Rebels, Attic Theory, Jimmy's, Liverpool, 2020, Live Review, Jo CrosbyComment