Eyehategod & Church Of Misery - Rebellion, Manchester (14/8/23)

Japan's Church Of Misery are prime Sabbath worship with added bluesy boogie. They possess colossal riffs that Tony Iommi would be proud of but it is the heavier boogie tracks like 'Come And Get Me Sucker (David Koresh)' where they shine brightest. Those bluesy jams are an integral part of what makes Church Of Misery special. However, something seems to be missing tonight. I can't even put my finger on what it is but even tracks like 'Born To Raise Hell (Richard Speck)' seem to be missing their usual magic. Good but they can be so much better.

Church Of Misery were the main draw for me tonight and having been disappointed, I wasn't holding out much hope for the headliners. I like the tone of Eyehategod's punky sludge but they fail to hold my attention over a full album. However, they hit an impressive groove immediately, although the vocals do sound a bit messy, but that is part of their charm anyway. They are heavy and powerful but their typical NOLA sound (which they are the originators of, to be fair) is shot through with a hardcore punk attitude. The occasions when they go all out hardcore are great. Sludgy, tar thick riffs are punctuated by feedback, which gives them a chaotic edge, but they are much tighter than you'd think. The overall feel is Sabbathian riffs as played by an anarchic punk band such as Antiseen. I enjoyed this much more than I expected to.

Eyehategod ****

Church Of Misery ***

Swans & Norman Westberg - Albert Hall, Manchester (12/8/23)

Norman Westberg plays minimalist drone in the vein of Kali Malone with a bit of latter day Earth mixed in for good measure. He plays a sole guitar but there are many effects, loops and delays which add to the sound. It's gentle and pleasant but it comes across as incidental even though the volume is turned up. This is background music even when it's in the foreground. The hiss and crackle from the speakers does add to the overall ambience though.

Swans, led by the incomparable Michael Gira, have been doing this for decades but tonight focus largely on the last two records. What is slow and plaintive on record is given extra power and drama live as strummed guitar is added to with waves and waves of throbbing electronics, bass and percussion to create an overwhelming and almost spiritual noise. SunnO))) are the most obvious comparison for the sheer volume and power. You feel this in the entire lower half of your body. The punishing noise is very intense, and Michael Gira drags us through a hellish soundscape whether we want him to or not. 'Ebbing' provides a bit of light relief as it is gentle with an uplifting melody, but even this builds in intensity to a tremendous climax. 'No More Of This' is uplifting and hopeful, and Michael's vocals are harmonious and complimentary with the music. Gira's stream of consciousness lyrics often fill the venue with the spirit of defiance. He often reminds me of that Simpsons meme, 'Old Man yells at cloud' although it's inspiring and challenging rather than derisory. Amazing.

Swans ****

Norman Westberg ***

Vintage Trouble & Standin' Man - Academy 2, Manchester (30/7/23)

Badgers! That's what I think of when I think of Vintage Trouble. Badgers. I went to see them about six years ago and I already had a number of reasons to be in a great mood. It had been a lovely Summer's day and we don't get too many of them in Manchester. I'd just seen one of the greatest live bands around. I'd marvelled at the performance of frontman Ty Taylor, one of the greatest frontmen around as he covered virtually every bit of the venue and had the entire audience in his thrall throughout. I was also impressed by their humanity as they initiated an impromptu collection for the victims of the Manchester arena bombing which was only two weeks earlier. I was approaching my house when I saw something move across the road to our car. At first I thought it was a fox or a cat but as I walked up the drive I saw it as it moved from behind the car and across the lawn. A badger. It was the first time I'd ever seen one and I was elated. I was so excited that I went straight into my house and woke Marie up to come and see. It had gone by the time she came down and I don't think she was very impressed at being woke up to see something that was no longer there but it just capped an already memorable night. This is why Vintage Trouble and badgers will always be inextricably linked in my mind.

Warrington's Standin' Man open up tonight with a sound which is like a mix of the rockier side of Britpop and classic rock. Sometimes they sound like Oasis meets Rival Sons, not least because the singer Dean has a real Liam Gallagher edge to his voice on occasions. He also sounds like James Dean Bradfield and Roger Daltrey at other times. 'Eleanor Rigby' is given a rock makeover which sounds like The Manic Street Preachers. Nalle from Vintage Trouble also appears for a great little cameo. The final track 'Changing Wind' sounds like Cast covering The Who. Pretty decent. Marie thinks that they could be big and I think I agree.

It's a miserable night outside but Vintage Trouble bring the sunshine right from the start. 'Run Like The River' is a great rabble rousing, foot stomping opener and the crowd are invested straight away, although there doesn't seem to be as many people here as there was the last time they played here. The whole room is swaying to the sweet soul stylings of 'Doin' What You Were Doin'' which is fantastic. The soulfulness doesn't end there. 'You Already Know' channels Otis Redding and James Brown whilst 'Not The One' is a great sixties soul ballad. Elsewhere, 'Shinin'' is The Temptations' 'Get Ready' meets Pharell's 'Happy'. 'Holla!' sees Ty singing in the middle of the audience, and even dancing with some lucky audience members. It's hardly an exaggeration to describe Ty as one of the greatest frontmen alive today, he is phenomenal. 'Who I Am' from the new album is the natural successor to 'Run Like The River' and features some great rapped vocals. 'The Love That Once Lingered' is a classic soul ballad and features Dean from Standin' Man singing the Lady Blackbird part. Ty sounds amazing on an incredible cover of Stevie Wonder's 'Higher Ground'. Vintage Trouble prove again that they are one of the best live acts around and to see is to believe.

Vintage Trouble *****

Standin' Man ***

Chemicide, Reaper & Must Kill - Star & Garter, Manchester (21/7/23)

Must Kill open their set with solid riffs and a galloping pace. The vocals shift from gruff and deathly to higher pitched and blackened. However, the vocalist seems like he's trying far too hard and it doesn't sound natural. They have a modern thrash based sound, like latter day Machine Head or maybe Skeletonwitch. 'Bete Noire' has a mechanical feel, whilst there's also quite a Metallica influence at play too and at various points I'm reminded of 'One', 'Harvester Of Sorrow' and 'Creeping Death'. The lead guitarist is pretty good, pulling out some Alex Skolnick style solos but generally Must Kill are functional rather than inspired.

Reaper are rampaging old school thrash metal reminiscent of Death Angel. They have a real energy and intensity to them. A couple of songs are more groove orientated, like the funkier tracks on 'Act III', although I prefer it when they let rip like on the crushing 'Awake'. The comparisons don't just extend to the music because Daniel Moran's vocals have a Mark Osegueda feel too. The bassist and singer both have great stage presence and charisma. Apparently, the bassist is just standing in tonight but he does an excellent job.  The closing number has a 'Rust In Peace' feel and is excellent. Good stuff.

Costa Rica's Chemicide have a real Death Angel feel on record. However, they are much rawer live, and they play with a primal ferocity which reminds me of Hirax. The lead guitarist has a very laid back style. He looks very disinterested while his fingers whizz around the fretboard. Although they slow it down from time to time, generally they play at a furious pace which is intense and powerful. 'Indoctrination' is an absolute barrage with rabid vocals. Considering how polished their studio output is, they are definitely more on the aggressive side of thrash live, like Destruction, Hirax or 80s Kreator.

Chemicide ****

Reaper ****

Must Kill ***