(Tony) The Academy complex situated on the University campus in Leicester was the setting for this the 6th Edition of the now annual Uprising Festival. First conceived a few years back now by Firebug proprietor Matt Kirk and Resin Events promoter Simon Yarwood, the initial aim was to provide a big stage platform for the final of their Bloodstock Metal 2 The Masses competition with those local unsigned bands playing alongside a curated line-up of more established metal bands. With bands such as Napalm Death, Hell, Primordial, Acid Reign and Memoriam having performed in previous years, this year's festival was to be headlined by gothic doom doyens Paradise Lost, but that would be at the end of a long day!
(James) Leicester is an ancestral home for me, I’ve a few generations buried somewhere within the city’s boundaries and my father supports the football team after being born and raised here as a child, this is the first time in a long time that I’ve been back and certainly my first time here at the venue.
M2TM Grand Final - Academy 2
(Tony) As is tradition now, the day kicks off with the four bands that have battled their way to fight it out for a spot on the New Blood stage at Bloodstock Festival, and the honour of opening up the days proceedings went to Voidwalker (8), who blew away any early afternoon cobwebs with their aggressive technical take on the post-hardcore genre. The good sized early crowd were enthusiastic and we even got our first pit of the day! Contrasting that we had the very young, but energetic, Loatch (8), who were less technical but more catchy, a modern take on those Nu-Metal grooves. Again, the crowd were eager to participate and a good portion of the room was bouncing along to the well executed set. It was already proving to be a tough choice for the judges.
(Tony) Next up were Inflictions (7), another band who were very visibly influenced by Nu-Metal, in particular Slipknot. All the band members, apart from the singer, wore masks. It’s difficult to look past the obvious influences, but to be fair to them they were not a clone of anyone when it came to their music. A blend of heavy riffs, hardcore beats and rap style lyrics were the order of the day, not quite as polished as the previous two bands but their enthusiasm and passion was clear to see.
(Tony) Last band up to try and impress the judges was Running With Knives (9). This local outfit have a more melodic style with some impressive harmonies, again a young band full of talent and making some of the more technical aspects of their playing look easy, their set flowed and I felt they were the band to go through. But the judges had other ideas and to be fair it wasn’t made easy today with all four bands playing their hearts out, but as the saying goes, there can be only one, and the judges picked Voidwalker to go on and play at Bloodstock in August.
The Green Room Stage
(Tony) This third stage was a late edition to the day, and although i initially thought it was a bit of a strange set up (in the common room area between the 1st and 2nd stage rooms), it actually proved quite popular, despite the stage times running concurrently with the 2nd stage.
(Tony) First band on this stage were local hardcore exponents Feral State (7) who wasted no time in bludgeoning us with their abrasive full on set, straddling that line between punk and metal. Took me back to my youth at The Mermaid with the crust and grindcore gigs there.
(Tony) Taking us in a completely different direction altogether was the trio that is Muddibrooke (8). We go from punk influenced to straight up 90’s Alt-Rock influences. A grungy, americana feel to their set, this three piece are a real power trio with attitude. From one power trio to another as we switched to the heaviness of Master Charger (8) with their dirty riffs, southern rock verging on doom they have drawn a decent crowd despite being on at the same time as Damim.
(Tony) As is the pattern now, we flip the genres and get something completely different in the form of avant garde duo, Pretty Addicted (8). Probably the most “out there” performance of the weekend but despite being on the tiny stage, Vicious projects a huge presence. Reminded me of the punky Grrrl movement from the early ‘90s, in particular Jack Off Jill.
(Tony) Headlining this third stage were Midland base Recall The Remains (9). I have to declare a slight bias for these lads as I’ve watched them grow into the monster that they are now right from their early days. To see them mature as a band has been amazing, and I see bigger things ahead for them. They’re not afraid to blend influences ranging from Lamb Of God to Rammestein. The melodic hooks galore, but can blast out some brutal death riffs. Front man Jacob is at the centre of this maelstrom giving a mesmerising performance. A perfect way to close out this stage.
Stage 2
(Tony) You might think “Why are Blood Oath on first, surely they’re worthy of a higher billing?” Well, yes you would be right, but Uprising has a tradition now of opening the stages with established local bands, a neat move as the O2 Academy 2 room is packed and ready for the onslaught of bloody death metal from Blood Oath (9). Never easy being the first band on, seasoned professionals that they are, the guys step up to the plate and deliver a blistering set of thrashy death metal that is over in a blink! This is old school heavy metal and the crowd loved it.
(Tony) Whether by accident or design, the line-up is eclectic and varied, so from the heaviest of bands (sorry guys no pun intended!) to the most atmospheric and ethereal bands of the weekend in the form of Lowen (10). Doom with a middle eastern twist was what I had heard about this band, but wasn't prepared for how magnificent this strange blend could be. I’m a big fan of Alunah, and instantly got the similarities. Vocalist Nina Saeidi exudes a calmness, the stunning dress she wears is like a beacon of light amongst the darkness around her and that is mirrored in her vocals as it counters the heavy doom laden bass and guitar. Up there as performance of the day for me.
(Tony) I didn’t catch all of Damim (7) but the little I did catch was of a tight, technical blackened death metal with some mind boggling guitar playing that took the direction of the music into a more progressive territory.
(Tony) But if it’s prog you want then Boss Keloid (10) who were on next, certainly fill that criteria. Like some demented offspring of Devin Townsend and Rush, Boss Keloid take you on a hypnotic journey through their twisted world, with the song Smiling Thrush being the highpoint of their set and my day.
(James) Leicester is an ancestral home for me, I’ve a few generations buried somewhere within the city’s boundaries and my father supports the football team after being born and raised here as a child, this is the first time in a long time that I’ve been back and certainly my first time here at the venue.
M2TM Grand Final - Academy 2
(Tony) As is tradition now, the day kicks off with the four bands that have battled their way to fight it out for a spot on the New Blood stage at Bloodstock Festival, and the honour of opening up the days proceedings went to Voidwalker (8), who blew away any early afternoon cobwebs with their aggressive technical take on the post-hardcore genre. The good sized early crowd were enthusiastic and we even got our first pit of the day! Contrasting that we had the very young, but energetic, Loatch (8), who were less technical but more catchy, a modern take on those Nu-Metal grooves. Again, the crowd were eager to participate and a good portion of the room was bouncing along to the well executed set. It was already proving to be a tough choice for the judges.
(Tony) Next up were Inflictions (7), another band who were very visibly influenced by Nu-Metal, in particular Slipknot. All the band members, apart from the singer, wore masks. It’s difficult to look past the obvious influences, but to be fair to them they were not a clone of anyone when it came to their music. A blend of heavy riffs, hardcore beats and rap style lyrics were the order of the day, not quite as polished as the previous two bands but their enthusiasm and passion was clear to see.
(Tony) Last band up to try and impress the judges was Running With Knives (9). This local outfit have a more melodic style with some impressive harmonies, again a young band full of talent and making some of the more technical aspects of their playing look easy, their set flowed and I felt they were the band to go through. But the judges had other ideas and to be fair it wasn’t made easy today with all four bands playing their hearts out, but as the saying goes, there can be only one, and the judges picked Voidwalker to go on and play at Bloodstock in August.
The Green Room Stage
(Tony) This third stage was a late edition to the day, and although i initially thought it was a bit of a strange set up (in the common room area between the 1st and 2nd stage rooms), it actually proved quite popular, despite the stage times running concurrently with the 2nd stage.
(Tony) First band on this stage were local hardcore exponents Feral State (7) who wasted no time in bludgeoning us with their abrasive full on set, straddling that line between punk and metal. Took me back to my youth at The Mermaid with the crust and grindcore gigs there.
(Tony) Taking us in a completely different direction altogether was the trio that is Muddibrooke (8). We go from punk influenced to straight up 90’s Alt-Rock influences. A grungy, americana feel to their set, this three piece are a real power trio with attitude. From one power trio to another as we switched to the heaviness of Master Charger (8) with their dirty riffs, southern rock verging on doom they have drawn a decent crowd despite being on at the same time as Damim.
(Tony) As is the pattern now, we flip the genres and get something completely different in the form of avant garde duo, Pretty Addicted (8). Probably the most “out there” performance of the weekend but despite being on the tiny stage, Vicious projects a huge presence. Reminded me of the punky Grrrl movement from the early ‘90s, in particular Jack Off Jill.
(Tony) Headlining this third stage were Midland base Recall The Remains (9). I have to declare a slight bias for these lads as I’ve watched them grow into the monster that they are now right from their early days. To see them mature as a band has been amazing, and I see bigger things ahead for them. They’re not afraid to blend influences ranging from Lamb Of God to Rammestein. The melodic hooks galore, but can blast out some brutal death riffs. Front man Jacob is at the centre of this maelstrom giving a mesmerising performance. A perfect way to close out this stage.
Stage 2
(Tony) You might think “Why are Blood Oath on first, surely they’re worthy of a higher billing?” Well, yes you would be right, but Uprising has a tradition now of opening the stages with established local bands, a neat move as the O2 Academy 2 room is packed and ready for the onslaught of bloody death metal from Blood Oath (9). Never easy being the first band on, seasoned professionals that they are, the guys step up to the plate and deliver a blistering set of thrashy death metal that is over in a blink! This is old school heavy metal and the crowd loved it.
(Tony) Whether by accident or design, the line-up is eclectic and varied, so from the heaviest of bands (sorry guys no pun intended!) to the most atmospheric and ethereal bands of the weekend in the form of Lowen (10). Doom with a middle eastern twist was what I had heard about this band, but wasn't prepared for how magnificent this strange blend could be. I’m a big fan of Alunah, and instantly got the similarities. Vocalist Nina Saeidi exudes a calmness, the stunning dress she wears is like a beacon of light amongst the darkness around her and that is mirrored in her vocals as it counters the heavy doom laden bass and guitar. Up there as performance of the day for me.
(Tony) I didn’t catch all of Damim (7) but the little I did catch was of a tight, technical blackened death metal with some mind boggling guitar playing that took the direction of the music into a more progressive territory.
(Tony) But if it’s prog you want then Boss Keloid (10) who were on next, certainly fill that criteria. Like some demented offspring of Devin Townsend and Rush, Boss Keloid take you on a hypnotic journey through their twisted world, with the song Smiling Thrush being the highpoint of their set and my day.
(James) Boss Keloid are something else all together, I’d not heard of them until I saw the name pop up on the gig poster and unsure as to what I’d be getting, we tentatively waited in Academy 2 for them to start and it is absolutely criminal that these guys from Wigan weren’t on the main stage, perhaps they will be next year (tickets are already available online allegedly). They’re stoner rock, prog with a groove that would put a smile on anyone’s faces and I couldn’t help but nod along to their infectious riffs and showmanship, whilst I’ll probably never listen to them again, I did enjoy the performance and would definitely watch them again if they were at a similar event.
(Tony) It was going to be tough to follow that set, but Combichrist rose to the challenge and the room was at it’s capacity and I struggled to get in having been to see Recall The Remains set first. The room was literally bouncing in response to the high energy industrial sounds. This iteration of Combichrist was just Andy LaPlegua and keyboardist Elliott Berlin with an old school electronic set celebrating 20 years, but the stripped back minimalism didn’t reflect the sheer energy that filled the room. Another excellent way to close out this second stage, which provided me with my own personal highlights of the day.
(James) We wandered back to Academy 2 and the arrival of Aggrotech/Industrial act Combichrist.(10). Even though I was only there for the headline act, Combichrist have to be the performance of the night for me; despite a technical issue or two they put on one hell of a show and everyone, I mean everyone was enjoying it; it’s quite a sight to see fans of numerous Metal acts dancing away like absolute lunatics to what is an essentially a hard dance act.
(Tony) It was going to be tough to follow that set, but Combichrist rose to the challenge and the room was at it’s capacity and I struggled to get in having been to see Recall The Remains set first. The room was literally bouncing in response to the high energy industrial sounds. This iteration of Combichrist was just Andy LaPlegua and keyboardist Elliott Berlin with an old school electronic set celebrating 20 years, but the stripped back minimalism didn’t reflect the sheer energy that filled the room. Another excellent way to close out this second stage, which provided me with my own personal highlights of the day.
(James) We wandered back to Academy 2 and the arrival of Aggrotech/Industrial act Combichrist.(10). Even though I was only there for the headline act, Combichrist have to be the performance of the night for me; despite a technical issue or two they put on one hell of a show and everyone, I mean everyone was enjoying it; it’s quite a sight to see fans of numerous Metal acts dancing away like absolute lunatics to what is an essentially a hard dance act.
Vocalist and main man Andy LaPlegua was a tireless performer, bounding across the stage with the energy of a Duracell bunny on Monster; he played to the audience, won the affections of each member of a very Metal audience and basically did everything he could to ensure that we’d not forget it; the performance and how well it was received is testament not only to the infectious dance beats of tracks like Get Your Body Beat and Electrohead but also to the eager acceptance of an audience that could have easily watched this act, whose music is the bastard offspring of Techno and Dark Electro and turned its back on it.
Metal fans have quite often been more accepting of crossover genres than fans of other music despite the gatekeepers and our social image of hating every single thing that is too polished or doesn’t have a guitar solo. Since watching Combichrist perform I’ve downloaded a few albums and have been listening to them with great interest, I’ve had a brief interest in EBM and Electro Industrial but this act always seemed to escape my attention, that has changed.
Main Stage
(Tony) As mentioned in the Stage 2 review, an established local band get’s to open the main part of the festival, and this year the honour fell to local favourites Internal Conflict (9). Again this is a band I have a soft spot for having seen them grow over the years from pub band to playing at Bloodstock. Their music is heavy, melodic, soulful and crosses genres. Heavy thrash riffs, moving into melodic hooks with front man Adam Kyle’s vocals transitioning between clean and dirty with ease. Their songs are hard and heavy but catchy, melodic death core at it’s finest. Hawxx (7) felt a bit flat in comparison. They play a punk tinged rock with attitude which was well delivered, but failed to really grab my attention this time around.
(Tony) Skarlett Riot (9) on the other hand held me transfixed with their style of female fronted heavy rock. Vocalist Chloe is up front and centre with a confidence that only comes from years of hard work and countless gigs. They have been one of the hardest working bands over the past decade and their sound has definitely become heavier and fits nicely as a softer edge to today's metal offerings.
(James) After finally finding somewhere to park, we get an expensive pint in just as Skarlett Riot to take the stage in what is called Academy 1. As with all but one of the acts I manage to see at Uprising 2023, I’ve not seen Skarlett Riot before, nor do I know much about them, a quick Google search informed me that they’re actually an English band and have been waving the banner for Metalcore/Alternative Metal for well over a decade; they put on quite a performance before wishing us farewell and taking the now compulsory photo, for every band I’ve seen lately has done this, of themselves and us the audience.
(Tony) Palm Reader (8) despite being around for a while now, have flown under my radar for whatever reason. Not really knowing what to expect, I was impressed with their technical prowess, delivering a tight, seamless set of post-hardcore metal that ebbs and flows over the eager, appreciative crowd. But if it’s soaring atmospheric melodies combined with brutal black metal riffs then SAOR (9) would be right up your street. This self styled “Caledonian Metal” band open up with the Origins, an epic tome that transports you to the bleak and desolate Highland moors. Their straight up blackened folk metal is interposed with various traditional pipes to give that unique sound. A perfect way to warm up the crowd ready for the main headliners of the weekend.
(James) Sometime in the early 90’s I discovered a song called True Belief and it was my first taste of Paradise Lost (10), whilst their sound has changed over the many years since Icon hit the shelves of music stores now long gone and forgotten, they’ve always had the ability and talent to create a song, album that is catchy yet depressing. Nick Holmes’ grim up north humour litters his vocal performance and he is in too form, so too is the ever stoic appearance of Greg Mackintosh, whose melodies accompany the rhythm sections of Aaron Aedy who always looks like he’s in the wrong band, having way too much fun and the solemn Steve Edmonson. They are accompanied by yet another new drummer, easily their 6th (not counting session members) since their conception back in the late Eighties.
(Tony) Paradise Lost have always been one of those bands that sit on the periphery of things, just doing their own thing, minding their own business and cranking out albums full of gothic, doomy goodness. For over 30 years, they have continued to not only be pioneers but also influencers. Tonight sees a celebration of those 30 odd years with songs taken from their extensive back catalogue. Opening up with 2008’s The Enemy we’re treated to a set list that includes Gothic, Requiem and As I Die amongst others before closing out with Ghosts form their latest album Obsidian A fantastic end to a brilliant day of varied rock and metal. Looking forward to the 7th Edition already!
(James) I may have only seen a few of the bands on offer at Uprising this year, all the best laid plans in the world couldn’t have changed that and whilst I didn’t enjoy everything I saw, I did finish the night on a massive high; two very different bands with polarising styles were the highlight of the night for me and if all I had managed to see were Combichrist and Paradise Lost then I’d have come home a happy chap.
Main Stage
(Tony) As mentioned in the Stage 2 review, an established local band get’s to open the main part of the festival, and this year the honour fell to local favourites Internal Conflict (9). Again this is a band I have a soft spot for having seen them grow over the years from pub band to playing at Bloodstock. Their music is heavy, melodic, soulful and crosses genres. Heavy thrash riffs, moving into melodic hooks with front man Adam Kyle’s vocals transitioning between clean and dirty with ease. Their songs are hard and heavy but catchy, melodic death core at it’s finest. Hawxx (7) felt a bit flat in comparison. They play a punk tinged rock with attitude which was well delivered, but failed to really grab my attention this time around.
(Tony) Skarlett Riot (9) on the other hand held me transfixed with their style of female fronted heavy rock. Vocalist Chloe is up front and centre with a confidence that only comes from years of hard work and countless gigs. They have been one of the hardest working bands over the past decade and their sound has definitely become heavier and fits nicely as a softer edge to today's metal offerings.
(James) After finally finding somewhere to park, we get an expensive pint in just as Skarlett Riot to take the stage in what is called Academy 1. As with all but one of the acts I manage to see at Uprising 2023, I’ve not seen Skarlett Riot before, nor do I know much about them, a quick Google search informed me that they’re actually an English band and have been waving the banner for Metalcore/Alternative Metal for well over a decade; they put on quite a performance before wishing us farewell and taking the now compulsory photo, for every band I’ve seen lately has done this, of themselves and us the audience.
(Tony) Palm Reader (8) despite being around for a while now, have flown under my radar for whatever reason. Not really knowing what to expect, I was impressed with their technical prowess, delivering a tight, seamless set of post-hardcore metal that ebbs and flows over the eager, appreciative crowd. But if it’s soaring atmospheric melodies combined with brutal black metal riffs then SAOR (9) would be right up your street. This self styled “Caledonian Metal” band open up with the Origins, an epic tome that transports you to the bleak and desolate Highland moors. Their straight up blackened folk metal is interposed with various traditional pipes to give that unique sound. A perfect way to warm up the crowd ready for the main headliners of the weekend.
(James) Sometime in the early 90’s I discovered a song called True Belief and it was my first taste of Paradise Lost (10), whilst their sound has changed over the many years since Icon hit the shelves of music stores now long gone and forgotten, they’ve always had the ability and talent to create a song, album that is catchy yet depressing. Nick Holmes’ grim up north humour litters his vocal performance and he is in too form, so too is the ever stoic appearance of Greg Mackintosh, whose melodies accompany the rhythm sections of Aaron Aedy who always looks like he’s in the wrong band, having way too much fun and the solemn Steve Edmonson. They are accompanied by yet another new drummer, easily their 6th (not counting session members) since their conception back in the late Eighties.
(Tony) Paradise Lost have always been one of those bands that sit on the periphery of things, just doing their own thing, minding their own business and cranking out albums full of gothic, doomy goodness. For over 30 years, they have continued to not only be pioneers but also influencers. Tonight sees a celebration of those 30 odd years with songs taken from their extensive back catalogue. Opening up with 2008’s The Enemy we’re treated to a set list that includes Gothic, Requiem and As I Die amongst others before closing out with Ghosts form their latest album Obsidian A fantastic end to a brilliant day of varied rock and metal. Looking forward to the 7th Edition already!
(James) I may have only seen a few of the bands on offer at Uprising this year, all the best laid plans in the world couldn’t have changed that and whilst I didn’t enjoy everything I saw, I did finish the night on a massive high; two very different bands with polarising styles were the highlight of the night for me and if all I had managed to see were Combichrist and Paradise Lost then I’d have come home a happy chap.
No comments:
Post a Comment