LIVE REVIEW: MØL @ Rebellion, Manchester
The cold of winter has gripped the UK and with the temperatures feeling sub-zero, the warm confines of intimate gig venues up and down the land are very much safe havens. Having released their glistening new album DREAMCRUSH several weeks ago, MØL are poised to make 2026 a truly memorable year. The Danes have enjoyed a steady trajectory since 2018’s debut Jord, and eight years on, with their career defining new album in tow, Rebellion in Manchester beckons.
The early start for tonight’s show is a damn shame for openers COLD NIGHT FOR ALLIGATORS, as the fellow countrymen to tonight’s headliners are on excellent form and there’s far less people in front of the band than what they deserve. Spearheaded by Johan Pedersen‘s exquisite vocal range, the band’s forward-thinking mix of progressive metal and pop sensibilities works a treat in the live environment. Material from freshly released With All That’s Left – set opener Dance for You, .44 Lifeline and exquisite set closer I Am Only Fear – all sound colossal, showcasing a maturity to the band’s sound. Technically, it’s world class without being obnoxious with some brilliantly executed shred, there’s hooks aplenty through anthemic choruses, and there’s enough memorability in their set to leave a lasting impression. A fantastic opening set from a band whose future looks very bright indeed.
Rating: 9/10
TAYNE might be hard to pin down sonically but there’s a lot of buzz surrounding this London industrial noise pop trio. Buoyed by the success of last year’s debut album Love, the trio are electric as they fly through their set, keeping the adrenaline surging among the now, much larger crowd who respond enthusiastically to frontman Matt Sutton‘s calls to “get honky”. The likes of Down, Cause /// Worthless, and Coherent all sound emphatic, with the trio creating a massive wall of sound that washes over you effortlessly. This is a band born for venues like this, creating a soundscape that wouldn’t feel out of place in Cyberpunk 2077. It’s brilliant stuff and a performance that very much justifies the buzz surrounding this exciting trio.
Rating: 9/10
MØL are no strangers to this venue, having previously headlined it in 2023. Three years on, and there are moments throughout their headlining set that feels akin to a homecoming. From the elegantly beautiful set opener Hud, a perfect snapshot into the band’s dynamic soundscape, through to the mid-tempo chug of Serf, which sees a sea of heads bang, there is euphoric adoration towards the Danes throughout.
In a set that flies by like a snap of the fingers, you can’t take your eyes off MØL. Material from DREAMCRUSH sounds absolutely epic in the live environment. Young‘s crooning lead riff sends shivers down the spine, CRUSH serves as one of the set’s closing highlights, while album lead single Garland is sung emphatically back to frontman Kim Song Sternkopf, whose vocals soar over the crowd’s like a wildfire catching the wind. It’s spellbinding stuff.
Although the tour comes directly in support of their new record, we’re treated to a career-spanning set. It’s a nice touch, but it reflects the consistent brilliance the band have been delivering since day one. Jord hits with the same destructive power as an incendiary bomb, Photophobic‘s more atmospheric heavy moments glisten with fragile tranquillity, and set closer Bruma is nothing short of a triumph; with Sternkopf spending the vast majority of his time in the pit, front and centre, holding the connection between band and fan.
It’s no secret that MØL are a seriously tight live band, but armed with their new album, it feels like the Danes have reached dizzying new heights. As a unit, they hold the crowd in the palm of their collective hands from the first note to the last, delivering a masterclass of a performance. Emphatic. Emotive. Exhilarating.
Rating: 10/10
Check out our photo gallery of the night’s action in Manchester from Libby Percival here:
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