CONCERT REVIEW: Boston Manor – Trophy Eyes – Split Chain Live at O2 Ritz Manchester


First up tonight are Bristol collective Split Chain. Having only released their first single just over a year ago this group’s star has risen rapidly. Calling back to that late nineties / early 2000s Grunge/Nu-Metal sound the group bring the nostalgic vibe with a modern twist. Although seemingly new to the majority in attendance the crowd are receptive and the energy quickly warms up setting a good pace for the rest of the evening.Continue reading


CONCERT REVIEW: Northlane – Novelists – Ten56 Live at O2 Ritz Manchester


It is with hot anticipation that Australian metalcore icons Northlane once again grace these UK shores. On their long journey up the band have gathered together a grouping of incredible acts to bring along with them as Ten56 and Novelists round out this whirlwind of a lineup.Continue reading


CONCERT REVIEW: Polyphia – Johan Lenox Live at O2 Ritz, Manchester 


Johan Lenox kicked off the night at the O2 Ritz venue, and even for the opening act of a two-band bill, the venue was already pretty full and the atmosphere positively electric. Right from the start, Johan’s performance was a sublime mixture of classical and hip-hop, highlighted by his absolutely divine voice. The audience and I include myself in that, was mesmerized, and the sea of phone lights only added to the visual impact.

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In Flames – Norma Jean – Light the Torch: Live at O2 Ritz Manchester (UK)


For the past decade or so, melodeath heavyweights In Flames have divided the worldwide metal community. After beginning humbly as a melodic side-project to Jesper Strömblad’s traditional death metal band Ceremonial Oath, the Gothenburg group went on to release a string of innovative albums throughout the mid to late 90s that earned them unanimous acclaim for pioneering a much cleaner, more NWOBHM inspired style of death metal. Alongside the likes of bands such as Dark Tranquility and At the Gates, this fresh approach took the metal world by absolute storm. However, the turn of the decade has seen the Swedes popularity tower to heights not often reached without musical compromise, a notion that most bands of their genre would never dare to entertain. In the case of Anders Fridén and co, they boldly made the decision to incorporate friendly grooves and alternative metal riffs into a core sound that was always considered to be its best when abrasive, off-putting and relentless.

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