Reaper All Dayer
Reaper All Dayer
Rebellion, Manchester
30/11/2024
Live Review by Oli Gonzalez
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Day turns to night, summer turns to winter, Reaper Agency sell out yet another all day event here in Manchester! The North Yorkshire based events company have proven themselves to be disruptive and are challenging the festival and events landscape by bringing quality Black Metal events across the country, including the mighty Fortress Festival. On this day, 8 Extreme Metal acts from across Europe descended upon Manchester. Even the late withdrawal of original headline act Worm couldn’t stop this event from being sold out. From newly promoted headliners Hulder, to worldwide debuts and last ever shows, all the ingredients for a memorable day were in place. After obligatory stops at the bar and merch stand, it was time for the music.
Ultima Necat
First up, and potentially in the graveyard slot, were Ultima Necat. Still with a 100 or so eyes on them, there was a pleasant atmospheric quality emerging from the trio though still raw with some room for polish and refinement. The drummer was the star of the show and the foundation for which the band is built upon, with each satisfyingly sharp crack of the snare and thunderous rumble of the double kick reinforcing this statement. The dual vocal attack was a welcome addition to the band’s sound in a promising opening set.
https://www.facebook.com/UltimaNecatOfficial
Slimelord
So, what is Swamp Death Metal anyway ? Let’s allow Slimelord to answer that question. Try to imagine being dragged into a lake by your ankles, and the associated claustrophobia and suffocation that would bring. Slimelord represents the musical equivalent of this. Having seen their sound check, one could see how each individual layer – tone perfect guitars, pulverising bass, thunderous drums and demonic vocals – forms this gruesome conglomerate . They upheld and represented a more Old School Death Metal approach, a welcome change from this Black Metal feast today. Even some technical difficulties (guitarist malfunction) didn’t stop this musical maelstrom in full flow.
https://www.facebook.com/horriblebog
Burial
Late additions but no less worthy of a place on this stacked line up. At times, it felt more like a standup comedy show, such was frontman Dez’s interaction with the crowd. On stage, they were no joke though, with a sound infected with a primitive Thrash feel and raw Punk edge. Though for all of this ferocity and intensity, it made it difficult to differentiate each song from the last and each seemingly blended into one. Still, this was lapped up by the slightly older and mature crowd, which I’m sure would have resulted in a pit on another day.
https://www.facebook.com/burialtheband
Deathless Void
Another brand with the X-Factor for me having never laid eyes or ears on them previously. Well. This was impressive. The strongest set up to this point of the day. This was fiery, relentless, and uncompromising in its aural assault. Yet there were cleverly imported moments of calm and ambient sections to allow to process this, and to recharge. There’s only so much the senses can withstand after all. I would have liked to have seen a more expansive visual show to compliment this, something beyond standard static red lights.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077355343177
Ante Inferno
The third time I had seen Ante Inferno this year, and overall. I had a good idea of what to expect. A brand of Post-Black Metal that seamlessly blends melody, intensity, and raw atmospheric into a rather aesthetic package. This IS what we saw tonight. As well as a playthrough of their latest record “Death’s Soliloquy”. However, tonight we started to see what I think was an evolution in the visual side and the stage production for the band. You feel as though something special is brewing here and it’s only a matter of time before we start to see Ante Inferno start to climb the ladder and be placed higher and higher on festival cards.
https://www.facebook.com/ANTEINFERNO
Aristarchos
A world-wide debut for these Black Metallers, I’d already had the pleasure of reviewing their latest album “Matyr of Star and Fire” earlier this year, which shaped my expectations for this set. I had questioned why a band debuting could warrant such a prominent slot on the card. Well, long story short, it was justified! They genuinely sounded and looked like a band who had been playing together for many years. With the members taking a more modern approach to concealing their identities with hoods and cloaks, this allowed you to focus entirely on the music. For me, it was the flawless mix which sold it for me, with every musician sounding pristine. Especially the absolutely scorching and blazing guitar tones, designed to intimidate and unsettle in equal measures. I’m sure festival bookers and promoters will be making some serious enquiries into the band’s availability now.
https://www.instagram.com/aristarchosbm/
Verwoed
From debut gigs to final ever shows, it was bittersweet when the news emerged that this would be the band’s first and last show in the UK. For the majority in attendance, including myself, this would likely be the first and last time to see Verwoed. Which is a shame as it’s been a while since I’ve seen such a unique approach to Black Metal. Visually, there were no cliches or gimmicks. In fact, it looked as though many of them had just rocked up from the office, picked up their instruments and got on stage in business-casual attire. Though it was all business on stage, with a more Sludge filled, Doom-inspired sound, though the Black Metal spine was undeniable. There were multiple layers of sound in an unfathomably complex mix, and frequent changes in dynamics and tempo that constantly left you guessing. 45 minutes flew faster than 45 minutes should have. Whatever the future holds for you, gentlemen, I wish you all the very best.
https://www.facebook.com/verwoed
Hulder
There were some tired heads and aching bodies in Rebellion at this point. The final furlong was now upon us though, with Hulder, the Norwegians who’d been promoted to headliner after Worm’s withdrawal, though they were easily headline status anyway and more than worthy of this. Many had opted not to make a trip to the bar and had remained camped out immediately after Verwoed in order to secure prime viewing spots. The band had reportedly sold out of merch very early on in this tour which speaks to their popularity (though I would have loved a Hulder patch).
Once the quartet had made it to the stage and the first few notes rang out, I had to say I was a little disappointed with the sound, largely due to the overpowering drums. This was during a more ambient opening however, and things did improve. Hulder have built a reputation for blistering live performances and not too long into their set, it was easy to see why they have. Everything just screamed of early Black Metal. The corpse paint, the primitive yet polished live production, everything. We saw our first pits of the day at this very late hour, with a group flinging themselves at each other with reckless abandon and no concern for their wellbeing. This continued for 45 minutes or so, and I felt a smug feeling, as though I was witnessing something very impressive here. Then disaster struck. The lights came on, the music abruptly stopped, and instructions were issued to vacate the premises. Why? The fire alarm. Reportedly, a cigarette had been lit in the toilets which triggered this. If this is true, congratulations sir/madam, you’re an absolute moron! This all but ended the night as many decided to catch the last train/bus home, myself included. If it’s any consolation, at least this was towards the end of their set and not right at the beginning.
https://www.facebook.com/HulderUS
A sad ending to a solid day of Black Metal. Though this is no slight nor poor reflection on Reaper Agency as this was 100% out of their control. The next all-dayer is scheduled for February 1st 2025; make sure you’re there.
LINKS:
Promoter:
Venue:
Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Oli Gonzalez 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.
