GIG REVIEW – Carnifex (+4) @ Rebellion, Manchester
[review by cumi pants]
Carnifex (California)
Chelsea Grin (Salt Lake City)
Body Snatcher (Florida)
Varials (Philadelphia)
The Convalescence (Ohio)
Well what a night!!!
What do you get these days for £18? A quick blast at the petrol pump? A popcorn and a coke at the cinema? Maybe a happy finish if you are lucky? Or a chance to watch 5 top notch metal/death core bands in Manchester? These five bands all from the US on tour in a big tour bus. Not my exact usual listen but what a line up.
I had a choice… stay at home in the warmth of my cave or venture out and brave the cold to join my son Casper as he had a spare ticket. The train strike put any ideas of a Stella infested journey to bed and so a 4 hr drive through the crazy Christmas traffic on a Saturday to Manchester made me think of Chris Rhea The Road To Hell!!!!
We got there late. A mad scramble to park, get to the cheap hotel room and then a brisk walk in the Manchester rain to Rebellion. What a venue too. A small metal door into a good sized place with a bar that you could actually get served at. We missed The Convalescence and hit the middle of the excellent Varials set. A fusion of tight heavy grinding riffs and great energetic vocals. In my time I have seen a lot of moshing, stage diving and slamming but this windmilling and spin kicking is a worry when you are hoping to enjoy your first pint!! It’s kind of being in a boxing ring with a load of gymnasts doing their shit at the same time and trying to hold on to a tray of drinks! Anyway was gutted not to see the full set. They were immense though. Great vocals and tight band, a bit more dynamic than the full on scream fest that was to follow.
Bodysnatcher were next and delivered too. Heavy as fuck and in your face. Sound check was a mixture of insane guitar sounds, grunts and full on growling. The venue was full now and bouncing and really warmed to them. I think that the spin kickers either ran out of room or were at the bar!
Chelsea Grin really took it up a notch with a blistering set and blew the place apart. Great vocals, ear splitting guitar riffs and drum masterclass. Circle pits and windmilling bliss! I stayed on the side sheltering my beer!
A tough act to follow really but Carnifex smashed it to be fair. Huge drum kit and sound to match. Massive guitars in more ways than one and a relentless set of screaming, heavy thrash core….if that’s what you call it. Good night Manchesteeeeerrr!!
And it was!! Went away feeling cleansed and we even managed to photobomb a dance group photoshoot without anyone noticing on the was to Chinatown.
The tour bus should have been sponsored by Strepsils!!!!
