Tortured Demon Live Review (Manchester Academy 3 – 30.10.2026).
The Future of UK Thrash Metal?
Tortured Demon LIVE, W/ Unburier, Pustulant Flesh and Wolf Bastard
Manchester Academy 3
30/10/2026
Review by Oli Gonzalez
Photography by Rob Lindesay @rock.the.lens
The term ‘future of metal’ is thrown around a lot these days. Sometimes it’s nothing but hyperbole. In the case of Manchester’s thrash metallers Tortured Demon, this is as literal as it is justified! Having burst onto the scene in 2019 whilst founding members Joe and Jacob Parkinson hadn’t even sat their GCSE’s, they quickly grabbed the attention of Bloodstock Open Air, almost literally tearing the Jaegermeister tent apart in their 2021 appearance! They’ve since returned to the festival, as well as adding the likes of Evile and other thrash metal royalty Forbidden in an ever-growing list of artists they’ve supported. On this night, they would need to step up to perhaps their biggest headline show to date, topping the bill at Manchester Academy 3 at the end of a UK tour. Would the young up-and-comers be able to step up to the plate and handle the pressure of this headline set?
First, let’s talk about the impressive undercard that had been assembled tonight…
Upon arriving, the vibe was more like that of a family reunion and local underground show, embracing friends we hadn’t seen for a while over a much-welcome Friday night pint. Though not in the dimly lit pubs and venues this time, as the Manchester Academy 3 was designed and optimised for performance. A band all too familiar with these smaller venues was local power trio Wolfbastard, who would open up the show tonight. With their logo appearing on prestigious festivals like Cosmic Void and Bloodstock Open Air, they represented the more seasoned veteran end of the spectrum.
“Let’s crack on and let some decent bands play”.
For those who have seen them before, their self-deprecation and stand-up comedy is always half of the show! Though when it came to their music, there were no jokes! Their black metal-infused sound was reminiscent of the genre’s early days, when the likes of Celtic Frost and Venom were laying the foundations for other black metal bands. Imagine the speed of thrash and the direct on-the-nose delivery of crust punk, led by the dual vocal assault of Si and Dez. All rolled into new songs like ‘Drink For Hell’ but no classics like ‘North West Sex Pest’ (If you know, you know). A solid start to proceedings.
https://www.facebook.com/dbeatblackmetal
Next up were the X-factor for the evening Pustulant Flesh. The mystery act, given that this was amongst their first shows on UK soil for the young Danish act. It quickly became clear why they had been brought over, though! They offered a more old-school death metal-inspired sound, driven by the low-end guttural vocals and solid groove-laden assault you’d expect from bands like Six Feet Under. Their youthful energy and drive were clear for all to see and one of their more admirable qualities. Though sometimes this got the better of them, especially when demanding a pit from a room full of people who simply weren’t invested in their music enough.
Though after speaking to friends after their set, it quickly became clear that they had won some new fans tonight.
https://www.facebook.com/PustulantFlesh
Another band who would have won many fans tonight were Unburier. “Tortured Demon have done well with this support” a friend commented, only a few minutes into the technical-thrash metallers’ set. They were a long way from their Somerset home, but the crowd were clearly behind them, with our first crowd surfer of the evening and the early signs of a pit before the first song had even finished! This felt like a serious step up in terms of overall production and sound quality, bringing a sharper more technical sound like you’d expect from Annihilator and Sylosis from their “Conclusion Of An Age” era. The main drivers in this being the complex guitar passages and a drummer who must have had motor-powered ball bearings in his ankles and knees, such was the ridiculous speeds being pumped out! Those early pits slowly became more and more chaotic, suggesting some serious buy-in from the Manchester collective, with half an hour just not feeling long enough for a set list!
https://www.facebook.com/unburierband
So far the night had run like clockwork, with short 30-minute sets and rapid 15-minute changeovers being strictly followed. It was time for our headliners and hometown heroes, Tortured Demon as they would embark upon a 60-minute marathon set by comparison. A theatrical walk-on with each member taking to the stage one by one presented them as stars! Stars they were, given the roar of the crowd. Those hanging round the fringes of the venue for the opening acts were front and centre now in time for opening song ‘Conflict Of Interest’. The song in which we saw the pits in full motion again and crowdsurfers going airbourne, like a sweet wrapper caught in a storm. Just like the storm Tortured Demon brought to the stage! They played with a maturity way beyond their years. This maturity came not only in their polished and technically proficient sound, but also in the manner with which they commanded the room. This stage presence was led by frontman Jacob Parkinson. Even a broken guitar string couldn’t disrupt or stop the momentum which was building like a runaway steam train. On the subject of momentum, let’s talk about their new single ‘Apocalypse’. Whilst they played songs from their debut album “In Desperation’s Grip” ( which has now celebrated its 5th birthday), the number of people singing along to this new single was rather extraordinary. Speaking to a level of investment and buy-in from the crowd.
“Tortured Demon! Tortured Demon!”
You know you’ve won as a band when the pauses in between songs are filled with the crowd chanting your name. Something that clearly took Jacob by surprise, and he couldn’t contain his appreciation. You know you’ve won as a band when there’s a huge queue for your merch stand immediately after your set.
https://www.facebook.com/t0rtureddem0n
So, did Tortured Demon step up tonight? Absolutely.
Could they handle the pressure of their biggest headline show to date? Absolutely.
Is the future of UK metal in safe hands? Absolutely!
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Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Oli Gonzalez, Rob Lindesay of Rock The Lens and Ever Metal. 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.
