Great Falls, Glassing & Lure In - Deaf Institute, Manchester (22/4/25)

'We Are All Going To Hell', the first track from Manchester's Lure In has a decent Helmet style riff. The second track has some really good J Mascis style guitar work. The singer is proper in your face but I can't argue too much as I was exactly the same when I was in a band. The hardcore punk parts are pretty standard. It's the other bits which are much more interesting, such as the 90s alt rock parts (which are reminiscent of Veruca Salt or maybe The Breeders). The hardcore parts are very Ebullition (or a million other bands I saw at the 1 In 12 weekends). It's all a bit messy. The Napalm Death influenced bursts are pretty decent and about as focused as they get.

Glassing's first track has some lovely post-rock guitar lines whilst the rhythm section provides a heavy throb. The second track is '90s metallic hardcore which reminds me of Converge mixed with Morning Again with a sprinkling of Starkweather on top. The excellent drummer is an absolute blur at times. The fourth track sees more of those gorgeous post-rock guitars, only they are played heavier and faster whilst the rhythm section is pummeling. The overall effect is crushing. Considering they are playing a style of music from the '90s, it feels fresh and inventive as the strong rhythmic pulse and interesting guitar work give them their own identity. The final track has a Cave In cosmic prog quality (think 'Until Your Heart Stops' meets 'Jupiter'). It's the singer's Birthday and after their set, the Great Falls guys bring him a Birthday cake whilst the crowd sings 'Happy Birthday' to him. Absolutely brilliant.

Great Falls are yet more '90s influenced metallic hardcore only this time it is in the vein of Deadguy or Kiss It Goodbye and is much more chaotic. Damien's bass playing is excellent, fluid yet aggressive and on a couple of occasions he just puts his head down and bulldozes through the crowd. They are heavy as hell, with an ugly gnarly guitar tone. They start off fairly low key but the set builds in momentum and they are really motoring by the time they are halfway through, and it is devastating. The final track 'Thrown Against The Waves' with its heavy, swaying bass and ringing guitar is hypnotic.

Great Falls ****

Glassing ****

Lure In ***