Reaper All Dayer - Rebellion (1/2/25)

Today is an event hosted by Reaper Agency, showcasing some of the best black metal which the UK has to offer.

I miss the opening band, Blasfeme, but arrive during Aklash's set. Aklash look like an '80s metal band (think late '80s Sabbath) and their black metal has melodic, catchy trad metal influences but they also use violin and woodwind for atmospheric folk laden intros, outros and mid-sections. It all works though. It doesn't feel like they are throwing whatever they can into the mix and hoping that some of it sticks, it's quite nuanced. The intros and outros are mournful and lend a My Dying Bride atmosphere to the proceedings. The blasting is in brief stints and is quite measured. One track has a Maiden meets classic thrash vibe and is super. The vocals are high pitched and harsh with some nice cleaner parts. An excellent start to my day.

Cistvaen play progressive, atmospheric black metal. The guitars don't seem loud enough but it does mean you can hear the bass perfectly well, and the bassist plays some impressive Steve Di Giorgio style basslines which add an extra level of technicality. The singer, with his shades, beanie and leather jacket, looks like he could be the frontman of a '90s Floridian death metal band. He also has a good range, covering deathly growls to high pitched, blackened screams, The band only play three songs but although they are quite lengthy, none outstay their welcome, There are some nice melodies which are provided by the guitars. Some parts have an epic Paradise Lost feel although, generally, this is in Saor territory. Quite hypnotic.

The sound is pretty muddy for Master's Call meaning that their trad/speed metal influenced black metal doesn't have the same impact as on record. Their singer has a real presence though. 'All Hope Is Fire' is thunderous yet isn't as sharp or incisive as it could be. The quality of their songcraft still shines through, it's just less than it should be. The blackened thrash of 'Damnation's Black Winds' falls flatter than it should. They have a tremendous amount of power, it just feels directionless today. The driving 'Blood On The Altar' is pretty good and some of the guitar work reminds me of '80s Queensryche. The sound improves for the last couple of numbers and the thrashy closing number, 'The Spire Cranes' is great. The amount of 'coulds' and 'shoulds' which fill my notebook tell their own tale of disappointment though.

The sound is a bit thin for Necro Ritual, particularly when they're playing fast in the second wave of Norwegian black metal influenced parts. When they play slower, it's more hypnotic. The singer sounds great and has charisma and a malevolent presence about him and this manages to tie it all together... just. However, my back has been playing up for most of the day and is spasming quite badly. This affects my enjoyment of the bands and I make the decision to take a break and get something to eat and drink, sit down and take some painkillers and see if that helps me get through the rest of the day.

I only manage to catch the last fifteen minutes of Blood Countess. They play fast, punchy, in your face, old school black metal. They have a much more direct approach than any of the other bands and it is a refreshing contrast. They have solid Cradle Of Filth vibes and although I'm not the biggest fan of that band, I am impressed.

You can probably tell from the name but Abyssal play that kind of discordant, abyssal death metal which Portal specialise in. Again, the sound is muddy but that shouldn't matter as much for this style as everything is meant to swirl around soundwise but there is hardly any definition to anything.  The speakers sound like they are struggling to cope too. It's heavy, smothering and almost overwhelming but I'd just like a little more clarity in the sound.

Nemerous play progressive black metal which sounds like Saor in the slower parts and Wolves In The Throne Room in the faster, blasting parts. The musicianship is strong, particularly the drummer who is a driving presence behind the kit. It feels like there is a Deafheaven influence lurking somewhere in there too. Maybe it's the singer as his screams have a similar tone and he also gives off hardcore kid turned black metaller vibes, especially when he's lurching over the crowd screaming with bug eyed intensity. Some of the tracks are quite epic as you'd expect with this style.

Barshasketh are utterly punishing. They're fast as hell with a tar thick sound. The blasting feels relentless but even when they go into slower passages, which they frequently do, it's no real let up as it's still heavy and you know that they are just building up to the next jump to lightspeed. The drumming is absolutely amazing and drives everything along at pace. The mic fails for one of the slower tracks which they end up playing almost instrumentally (the singer is still screaming but you can't hear him at all) and it sounds much more hypnotic. When the vocals are restored, it is back to being punished again. The overall effect is quite exhilarating.

Barshasketh ****

Nemorous ****

Abyssal ***

Blood Countess ****

Necro Ritual **

Master's Call ***

Cistvaen ****

Aklash ****