LIVE REVIEW: Midnight @ Academy 3, Manchester
Ohio maniacs MIDNIGHT have long been a cult favourite in extreme metal circles since erupting onto the scene with the venomous Satanic Royalty in 2011. Since then, the band’s, led by the formidable Athenar, tenacity for blackened speed metal goodness has only increased and with a formidable live reputation to boot, the band are one of the finest bands within extreme music today. Now, armed with their latest bout of aural viciousness, Let There Be Witchery, MIDNIGHT take to the intimate confines of Academy 3 in Manchester to whip up a frenzy.
With HEAVY SENTENCE withdrawing from the show as local opener due to positive COVID tests, it’s down to American traditionalists NIGHT DEMON to kick off the action and for the most part, they achieve just that. Fist pumping riffs? Check. Thundering percussion? Check. Soaring vocals? Check. The trio epitomise the essence of heavy metal as they thunder their way through a set that rarely allows the momentum to dip. Screams In The Night is a cracking opener, a one-two punch of Darkness Remains and Night Demon close the set on a high and a slick cover of THIN LIZZY‘s The Sun Goes Down is a nice touch. And despite slight repetition creaking in at times, which dampens their overall impact, overall, a solid outing for these trad metal worshippers.
Rating: 8/10
As the devilish tones of Black Rock ‘n’ Roll unfold and the masked outfit take to the stage, the audience holds its collective breath before utter chaos ensues. It’s adrenaline-surging, relentless and utterly wicked. MIDNIGHT mean business and their intent to have the packed venue surging at every slick riff and every snarled chorus is clear as day. Over the course of their lengthy set, Athenar and co. are simply mesmerising as they display the aura of being a cool as fuck band as well as expertly dispatching their razor-sharp blend of blackened speed metal.
Rebirth By Blasphemy is a clear highlight with the chorus belted back at the men on stage, Fucking Speed and Darkness is relentless in its delivery and Satanic Royalty sees the pit surge as countless bodies slam and collide to the crunching grooves. New cuts from Let There Be Witchery, Szex Witchery and Telepathic Nightmare, fit comfortably alongside the more distinguished back catalogue but it is cuts from Satanic Royalty that go down an utter storm. You Can’t Stop Steel injects a much needed bout of adrenaline in the latter stages of the set with Athenar‘s vocals cutting through the mix like a hot knife through butter whilst Lust Filth and Sleaze does exactly what it says on the tin.
In a truly exhilarating performance, on this form, MIDNIGHT are untouchable. The adrenaline is relentless, the songs impactful and the crowd reception deafening. Few bands come close to replicating the sheer carnage and wickedness of a good ol’ fashioned heavy metal show.
Rating: 9/10
Check out our photo gallery from the night’s action in Manchester from Sabrina Ramdoyal Photography here:
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