Goremageddon 2025
Goremageddon 2025
The Star & Garter, Manchester
22/3/25
Review and photos by Rob Lindesay – Instagram @rock.the.lens
Welcome to Goremageddon – Manchester’s one-day Gore/Grind/Slam celebration! It’s a lineup that offers fans great value, with seven acts on the bill, culminating in the very first performance by Viscera Infest on UK soil. The Japanese gore overlords have gained a cult following, and there has been much hype about them flying over from Japan specifically to play Goremageddon – a UK exclusive show! The Star & Garter is the perfect venue for this sort of gig, being big enough, whilst still able to make the fans feel fully connected to the bands, so understandably this was a sold out show.
Lymphoedema
Kicking off proceedings is Lymphoedema – a one-man goregrind / harsh noise set up from Limerick. The drum machine and electronic box of tricks are on stage, proudly draped in the Irish Flag. The frontman dons a balaclava, and wastes no time in warming up the crowd. It’s a mix of genres, all of them harsh and abrasive, with differing styles of vocal synthesizers applied. This brings me to my first of three new experiences for tonight – ‘fish bowl’ style vocals – the screamed lyrics are processed so intensely it presents as a bubbling gurgling type vibe! Lymphoedema gives it 110% for the short set, and wasn’t afraid to get busy in the crowd down at the front. It was sample heavy, with violent, but often hilarious recorded intros to many songs, then nearing the end of the set we had a change of pace when he played a new song with more of a ‘trap’ style, and no vocal processing. A great opening act, and the crowd loved it.
https://www.instagram.com/lymphoedema_gore
Priest Crippler
Next up we have a Bristol based grindcore three-piece. I was pleased to meet drummer Merv from Priest Crippler before the gig, he’s a bundle of positive energy, beaming from ear to ear. I soon learn that he both talks and drums at extremely high speed! He tells me he supplies drums, vocals and between song banter for his band Priest Crippler, however tonight they are temporarily without their main vocalist due to illness. He seems unfazed, and says that some mates are filling in. ‘Good luck!’ I told him!
The four hired guns on the microphone do a sterling job for Priest Crippler, with the singers from Vast Slug and PivoRapist stepping up, amongst others. Overall the band is fast and tight as fuck, in what will be a bit of a running theme for tonight’s gig. Priest Crippler borrow strongly from their influences (Napalm Death and Brujeria spring to mind), whilst maintaining originality and a good dose of humour! They have some hilarious pun-type names such as ‘Nonce Upon The Cross’ (Deicide, anyone?), ‘Malevolent Croatian’, and ‘The Dicker of Dribbly’, however this is not simply a novelty band, the humour is backed up with serious amounts of heaviness. I’m very much looking forward to seeing them with their full lineup!
https://www.facebook.com/people/Priest-Crippler/100087417090978
Vast Slug
Having seen these chaps last year, I knew what to expect, and was looking forward to them. Vast Slug bring the combination of pop-party intros (yes they really do open with the Vengaboys!), turning swiftly to gritty grindcore. Singer Ed is a tall imposing figure and struts around the stage wearing a Harold Shipman t-shirt – presumably his favourite serial killer. There are only four members on stage, the 5th being the trusty RoboTron-9000 drum machine, to which they dedicate the song ‘Does anybody really need a drummer?’. The lighting for Vast Slug was a lot darker, making the photography more challenging, but the shots I got look like what they sound like – moody and menacing! Vast Slug have really got the crowd moving, and the temperature is now hot and sweaty… in a good way!
https://www.facebook.com/vastslug
Accelerant
Accelerant is a local one-man ‘harsh noise wall / heavy electronics’ outfit. I’m not sure what to expect, particularly as I spot the brief 10min set time on the schedule. I’m immediately blasted with extreme amounts of synthesized noise, and I’m not sure whether to attribute this to electronic feedback, or if the set has started?!
This is a genre I’m totally unfamiliar with. Looking around, half the crowd are loving it, the other half are like me… completely bemused. I can say that no one’s hating it though, and it’s testament to the rich tapestry of the metal world. There’s something for everyone, and an extreme sub-genre like this is welcomed at an extreme event. He throws up a middle finger at the crowd at the end of his short set, and this is lovingly reciprocated by the nutters down the front.
https://www.instagram.com/xlrnt_noise
Public Execution
A friend tipped me off beforehand to say that this Southern UK trio would not be one to miss. Somewhat of a supergroup, featuring former members of Black Skies Burn, Trading Hands, Korrupto, they play tight, punky hardcore/grindcore in the vein of Napalm Death/Wormrot.
Hot off the back of a successful 2024, including a performance at Bloodstock, they blasted their way through what is currently their only full length album ‘Mullered’. With 20 tracks clocking in at just over a quarter of an hour, this album feels like being grabbed by the shoulders and shaken. Their set time is bolstered with plenty of between track banter from Kyle on vocals. Musically (I’m going to say it again) – they are fast, and tight as hell.
These guys were my favourite of the evening, and amongst some strong competition that’s saying something, and I’m hoping to see more of these guys later this year.
https://www.facebook.com/PublicExecutionGrindcore
Pivorapist
Formed over 10 years ago, and based locally in Manchester, but of half Czech origin, the first thing that draws attention is the name. Pivo is Czech for beer, and rapist is… erm… rapist. However the band’s mission statement on facebook thoroughly reassures me that whilst they love beer, they’re actually very much against raping, so that’s nice.
Once they start playing it’s clear they’re not messing around. Lewis is a powerful vocalist and engages the crowd well, with guitarist Rencek diving onto the front row and playing whilst crowdsurfing! Towards the end of the set Lewis invites everyone in the building up on stage for a full on stage invasion. It was quite a spectacle seeing dozens of bodies moshing about on The S&G’s small stage! A great set, cheers Pivorapist!
https://www.facebook.com/pivogrind
Viscera Infest
Much fuss has been made about the Japanese OGs of grind coming to UK shores for the one-off exclusive show in Manchester tonight. It’s their first time playing on UK soil, and it was awesome to see the goregrind 3-piece having a pint in the pub downstairs and mingling with fans before the gig.
The crowd explodes as soon as they start playing, and a sizeable mosh pit opens up. These guys are seriously fast, and watching drummer Yuya up close is an impressive sight to behold. He’s like a force of nature; I remember being amazed at Dave Lombardo’s speed and power when I first got into metal years ago – but grindcore drummers like Yuya are approaching double that speed!
Viscera Infest blast through their gory back catalogue, including a track from their most recent release – 2024’s ‘Teratoma’. The sound mix for these guys is more cutting and punchy than other bands tonight and this highlights their technical mastery further. Towards the end of the set, homage is paid to a dear friend of the band Gokkun, who was due to play bass for this gig, but he sadly passed away recently. His picture is placed up against the bass drum and everyone raises a glass or a fist in the air in remembrance – it’s a touching and heartfelt tribute.
Their set has been a short whirlwind, and it doesn’t seem long before the encore, however VI have given it 110% and the crowd is satisfied and exhausted. Come back soon guys!
https://www.facebook.com/viscerainfest.jpn
Death and gore has never been so alive and well on the Manchester scene. Rancid Offal Promotions will now shift their focus to July’s 3 day event ‘OffalFest’, which is shaping up to be a belter!
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Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Rob Lindesay and Ever Metal. Photography the property of Rob Lindesay @rock.the.lens. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
