LIVE REVIEW: Periphery @ The Ritz, Manchester

Within progressive metal, PERIPHERY have been a driving force for the scene for many a year now. Thanks to their expansive and elaborate musicality alongside an infectious pop-infused sensibility, the American outfit are a premier name. On the back of this year’s stellar Periphery IV: Hail Stan, which added another string in the band’s collective bow, PERIPHERY arrive at The Ritz in Manchester, to a sold-out and eager crowd.

Given that tonight’s show is sold-out, a swelling and excitable sea of people greets ASTRONOID. The Americans turned some heads with this year’s wonderful self-titled effort and their self-described sound of ‘dreamthrash’ was an instant hit as the crowd lapped up their sound from the moment they hit the stage to the moment they left. Crisp and crunchy guitar-play from Casey Aylward combines wonderfully well with Brett Boland before subsiding into delicate and beautifully executed leads whilst Boland‘s almost-angelic vocals wash over the crowd so effectively, it sends chills down the back of your neck. In a set that was tipped more towards their latest studio outing, ASTRONOID impressed consistently and judging from the roar from the crowd as they conclude with the triumphant I Dream In Lines, the quartet can rest assured that tonight is a job well done.

Rating: 9/10

In any other circumstance, the instrumental nature of PLINI‘s soundscape would feel like a curveball, possibly risking alienating a crowd eager for high-octane action. However, within progressive metal, the virtuosic Australian is adored and that was certainly felt throughout his role as main support to PLINI. With next to little vocal elements to his soundscape, bar brief interactions with the crowd in between songs, PLINI let his music do the talking and it was a masterclass in technical precision. Elaborate, complex and delicately intricate guitarwork from the man was the order of the day here and the manner in which he trades duties with his bandmates made the showcase feel more like a jam session between friends rather than your typical structured band performance. By no means was this a bad thing however, as despite the large setting of The Ritz, the performance felt close and personal, a showcase of technical skill and the crowd lapped up every solo and crunching riff. Whilst the showmanship and sheer technicality of the sound is certainly impressive, the set just lacked a spark to truly elevate it to the realms of greatness, but regardless, PLINI showcased just why he is such a revered figure within the progressive metal sphere.

Rating: 8/10

Opening with a sixteen minute epic is an audacious move but PERIPHERY have aimed to challenge the boundaries of heavy music since their inception and as the dynamic and elaborate Reptile kicks off their headlining set, the band hit a height of excellence which is maintained throughout the entire performance. Reptile as a song is the perfect snapshot into PERIPHERY‘s sonic repertoire and a lovely cameo from PLINI in the song’s latter stages is an early triumph.

The band, operating as a four piece tonight due to Mark Holcomb‘s absence, are masters of replicating their craft in the live environment. Misha Mansoor demonstrates once again why he is considered one of the best guitarists in modern metal, switching from crunching riffing alongside Jake Bowen to elaborate leadwork with absolute ease in Blood Eagle for example, whilst vocalist Spencer Sotelo dazzles with his dynamic vocal range. His full range is on display in an emphatic rendition of Follow Your Ghost whilst his angelic cleans in finale Lune pulls on the heartstrings so effectively, it’s near impossible to not get caught up in the moment.

In a set that leans heavily towards material from this year’s Periphery IV: Hail Stan, the band are clearly confident in the strength of their new material and the execution of their newer material is outrageously strong. CHVRCH BVRNER incites chaos amongst the crowd with bodies flailing whilst It’s Only Smiles pushes the band’s pop-leaning sensibilities to the front and the crowd is singing along in full volume. Whilst there is an argument towards a more balanced setlist from across their discography, when the band do dip back to their back catalogue, it’s utter chaos. A rapturous response greets the one-two punch of Scarlet and Marigold and Lune makes for the perfect finale to a performance that glistens in quality.

Whilst the band may have been a member down, which some may have feared that it would impact their quality, PERIPHERY proved to demonstrate why they are top of the progressive metal tree. A performance of sheer and utter excellence.

Rating: 9/10

Check out our photo gallery of the night’s action in Manchester from Sabrina Ramdoyal Photography here: