Over a decade ago, the seeds were sown when founder and guitarist of Leicestershire base grunge outfit Resin started putting on gigs under the name of Resin Events. He hooked up with proprietor of Firebug in Leicester, Matt Kirk, and after promoting the regions M2TM competition, they hatched a madcap plan to hold an all day event at the iconic De Montfort Hall in Leicester, and Uprising was born.
It was an instant hit with Midlands metal and rock fans and apart from the obvious gap year, it’s now in it’s 9th edition. But this ten year anniversary is bitter sweet with the future of the event uncertain as the ownership of the current site of the festival, the O2 Academy, is being handed back to the Uni and it’s not clear yet what will happen with the site. We had a chat with Simon and he says talks are underway with a number of venues, so fingers crossed they can get somewhere sorted,
As for Uprising 9, the usual eclectic mix of rock and metal lay in wait for hundreds of metalhead from all over the country. There was going to be 17 bands over 2 stages and about 11 hours of head banging, and we managed to catch them all!
As for Uprising 9, the usual eclectic mix of rock and metal lay in wait for hundreds of metalhead from all over the country. There was going to be 17 bands over 2 stages and about 11 hours of head banging, and we managed to catch them all!
Very Metal Art Stage
First up lets look at the Very Metal Art Stage that was located in the Academy 2 room and despite having the doors open to the patio area outside, it was already a sweat pit on one of the hottest days of the year!
Opening up were Break Them (7) who laid down some heavy hard core grooves with punishing intent, whilst straight after them rising stars Pryma (8) brought a confident stage presence and relentless energy that only served to increase the temperature in the already sweltering room.
As is the nature with Uprising we are completely flipped with the next band, Crowley (9), who despite a few tech issues with sound pummelled us with some gloriously dark gothic doom. From the darkly beautiful to the beautifully ferocious. Maatkare (9) bring us monumental death metal that brings the ancient world of the Egyptians alive with brutal riffs, guttural vocals and hypnotic rhythms.
Survivalist (6) had a band hand dealt to them with a long delay again with tech issues. They bravely laughed it off, but it was a long uncomfortable wait and seemed to knock the wind out of them, but hopefully we’ll see a different Survivalist when we catch them at Call Of The Wild.
Crowd favourites Gurt (9) were up next and the sludge lords happily picked the pace up again with an intensely groove laden set that got the room bouncing, we’d been going 5 hours now and barely time to catch a breath! It was the turn of Hawxx (8) to get the claws into our minds next, Punk tinged, alt rock is the best way to describe them. Powerfully emotive, unapologetically confrontational and no holds barred fury. A slick set justifying their place on this line up.
After a few hours of some very intense performances across both stages, it was good to just have a laugh and you’re guaranteed that with everyone's favourite punky thrashheads Lawnmover Deth (8) who brought the unique brand of humour to lighten the mood, it was a welcome dose of hilarity, before closing out the VMA stage with hard core legends Stampin’ Ground (10) who tipped the room over the boiling point with the old school hard core fury and aggression, it was literally raining sweat as the veterans showed that they still have the vim & vigour to mix it up with the youngsters, a brilliant end to a pretty full on day on this second stage.
Main Stage
Whilst the VMA stage was boiling over the Main Stage at the O2 was a tad cooler, but the bands would still have that fiery intensity, and first up were techy prog meisters Fractions (9) who got things going with a sublime set. The local lads have been quiet of late but were bang on form today with their complex layers of soaring vocals, intricate riffs and mesmerising drum and bass beats.
First up lets look at the Very Metal Art Stage that was located in the Academy 2 room and despite having the doors open to the patio area outside, it was already a sweat pit on one of the hottest days of the year!
Opening up were Break Them (7) who laid down some heavy hard core grooves with punishing intent, whilst straight after them rising stars Pryma (8) brought a confident stage presence and relentless energy that only served to increase the temperature in the already sweltering room.
As is the nature with Uprising we are completely flipped with the next band, Crowley (9), who despite a few tech issues with sound pummelled us with some gloriously dark gothic doom. From the darkly beautiful to the beautifully ferocious. Maatkare (9) bring us monumental death metal that brings the ancient world of the Egyptians alive with brutal riffs, guttural vocals and hypnotic rhythms.
Survivalist (6) had a band hand dealt to them with a long delay again with tech issues. They bravely laughed it off, but it was a long uncomfortable wait and seemed to knock the wind out of them, but hopefully we’ll see a different Survivalist when we catch them at Call Of The Wild.
Crowd favourites Gurt (9) were up next and the sludge lords happily picked the pace up again with an intensely groove laden set that got the room bouncing, we’d been going 5 hours now and barely time to catch a breath! It was the turn of Hawxx (8) to get the claws into our minds next, Punk tinged, alt rock is the best way to describe them. Powerfully emotive, unapologetically confrontational and no holds barred fury. A slick set justifying their place on this line up.
After a few hours of some very intense performances across both stages, it was good to just have a laugh and you’re guaranteed that with everyone's favourite punky thrashheads Lawnmover Deth (8) who brought the unique brand of humour to lighten the mood, it was a welcome dose of hilarity, before closing out the VMA stage with hard core legends Stampin’ Ground (10) who tipped the room over the boiling point with the old school hard core fury and aggression, it was literally raining sweat as the veterans showed that they still have the vim & vigour to mix it up with the youngsters, a brilliant end to a pretty full on day on this second stage.
Main Stage
Whilst the VMA stage was boiling over the Main Stage at the O2 was a tad cooler, but the bands would still have that fiery intensity, and first up were techy prog meisters Fractions (9) who got things going with a sublime set. The local lads have been quiet of late but were bang on form today with their complex layers of soaring vocals, intricate riffs and mesmerising drum and bass beats.
They were followed by another local legend, Tom Reynolds, otherwise known as Foul Body Autopsy (8), a one man death metal machine. A phenomenal guitarist who creates a cataclysmic wall of sound with his guitar, pedals, loops and backing tracks. At least the rider will be small! But seriously he’s one talented guy with an impressive catalogue of material.
There was a big emphasis on atmospheric and visual acts on the main stage today and Mayfire (8) have both in abundance. Monumental soundscapes and moody stage presence are the order of the day with this atmospheric black metal band from Norway who describe themselves as “cinematic” which we totally get, very Scandi Noir.
For visuals and performance there are not many around at the moment who can match Ward XVI (9). The stage setup is impressive and and the performance is straight out of the Alice Cooper book of rock theatrics. The maniacal minds of this dark horror band create a whole world and it’s grisly stories with which to entertain us, the big stage here is perfect for their show and even though they only have a half hour slot they cram so much in.
From the blood and gore of the asylum we are taken into a much darker place. An atmospheric gloom descends on the crowd as The Suns Journey Through The Night (10) creep into the darkest recesses of our senses. A complex wall of sound, raw and ritualistic from this black metal band, it has a dark beauty that will take your soul and leave you emotionally bereft. This sort of extreme metal is not for everyone, but get past the tags and pigeon holing and listen to the music that is being created, simply stunning.
From soul crushing black metal to heart wrenching flamenco and North African inspired alt rock in the form of Gibraltars greatest musical export Breed 77 (9). Their heavy rock incorporates the musical melting pot of their homeland making for a unique sound that is unmistakable and add in the soulful vocals of frontman Paul Isola overlaying those haunting guitar riffs and it makes for a beautifully heavy mix.
Another veteran band from the late 90’s early 00’s that has made a comeback in recent years are Essex boys InMe(8). They exploded onto the scene with their highly acclaimed albums Overgrown Eden and White Butterfly and soon had a strong loyal fan base. Frontman Dave McPherson wears his heart on his sleeve, his songwriting is powerfully emotive, full of angst, anger and hope. His vocals are unmistakable, a style that help them stand out from the crowd.
And finally, after a very long and very hot day, the culmination of a brilliantly curated day of rock and metal sees the return of a much loved, and you might even say greatly underrated industrial stalwarts Pitchshifter (10). They have achieved an almost cult status amongst their die hard fans and they treat us to a hour long set of their best tunes.
There was a big emphasis on atmospheric and visual acts on the main stage today and Mayfire (8) have both in abundance. Monumental soundscapes and moody stage presence are the order of the day with this atmospheric black metal band from Norway who describe themselves as “cinematic” which we totally get, very Scandi Noir.
For visuals and performance there are not many around at the moment who can match Ward XVI (9). The stage setup is impressive and and the performance is straight out of the Alice Cooper book of rock theatrics. The maniacal minds of this dark horror band create a whole world and it’s grisly stories with which to entertain us, the big stage here is perfect for their show and even though they only have a half hour slot they cram so much in.
From the blood and gore of the asylum we are taken into a much darker place. An atmospheric gloom descends on the crowd as The Suns Journey Through The Night (10) creep into the darkest recesses of our senses. A complex wall of sound, raw and ritualistic from this black metal band, it has a dark beauty that will take your soul and leave you emotionally bereft. This sort of extreme metal is not for everyone, but get past the tags and pigeon holing and listen to the music that is being created, simply stunning.
From soul crushing black metal to heart wrenching flamenco and North African inspired alt rock in the form of Gibraltars greatest musical export Breed 77 (9). Their heavy rock incorporates the musical melting pot of their homeland making for a unique sound that is unmistakable and add in the soulful vocals of frontman Paul Isola overlaying those haunting guitar riffs and it makes for a beautifully heavy mix.
Another veteran band from the late 90’s early 00’s that has made a comeback in recent years are Essex boys InMe(8). They exploded onto the scene with their highly acclaimed albums Overgrown Eden and White Butterfly and soon had a strong loyal fan base. Frontman Dave McPherson wears his heart on his sleeve, his songwriting is powerfully emotive, full of angst, anger and hope. His vocals are unmistakable, a style that help them stand out from the crowd.
And finally, after a very long and very hot day, the culmination of a brilliantly curated day of rock and metal sees the return of a much loved, and you might even say greatly underrated industrial stalwarts Pitchshifter (10). They have achieved an almost cult status amongst their die hard fans and they treat us to a hour long set of their best tunes.
You know it’s going to be a full on set when they kick off with Triad and Microwave two of their heaviest hitters! They finish off with a triple whammy of W.Y.S.I.W.Y.G., Please Sir and Genius the floor is bedlam, the crowd is hot, sweaty and very happy. That was a mad cap ride of pure chaos!
If this is to be the last Uprising then what a way to bow out, but at the time of writing these last few lines, Uprising have posted a couple of cryptic updates on their page, including a logo saying Uprising X and the date “10-04-2027”, so I guess the Uprising will continue. Metalheads assemble! We just don’t know where yet!!
If this is to be the last Uprising then what a way to bow out, but at the time of writing these last few lines, Uprising have posted a couple of cryptic updates on their page, including a logo saying Uprising X and the date “10-04-2027”, so I guess the Uprising will continue. Metalheads assemble! We just don’t know where yet!!
No comments:
Post a Comment