LIVE REVIEW: RXPTRS @ Satan’s Hollow, Manchester
Entering the ominous room of Manchester’s famous metal nightclub Satan’s Hollow, you are surrounded by iconic figures of skeletons, Frankenstein, and the onlooking statue of Satan himself omniscient in the corner of the room. Drawing in the crowd tonight are Bristol’s rampaging rockers RXPTRS on the final night of their four show The World On My Tongue tour.
First to the circular stage are local punk metal trio BARONETTE, with trashy fuzzy riffs supplementing fast changing screams and vocal melodies. The trio rattle through the early part of their set even featuring a cover of 2000s classic Foundations by KATE NASH with a strong singalong for the line “’cause they are much fitter”. Their time is hampered by a few technical difficulties, particularly the breaking of multiple guitar strings which causes a brief intermission in their time. The trio power on valiantly once they return with heaviest bruiser thus far I Defended You, followed by No Sweat, a track about their common disdain for Prince Andrew, featuring a light-hearted high five wall of death in the breakdown. While the punk aura of their music isn’t ever matched by the energy of the frontline, it would be hard to argue that they weren’t curbed by issues during the set so we’re sure there’s far more to come from the outfit.
Rating: 6/10
Next up are theatrical alternative metallers NOVACROW, who walk on to the Looney Tunes theme song. With all three front line members dancing along jester-like in their sprightly movements, the expectation for entertainment is immediately established. The extravagant group blend alternative metal and the drama of horror for a truly engaging performance, with none of them remaining static for a beat when they don’t have to be. Moments of musical chaos and technical riffs are interspersed with joyous hooks from vocalist Kitty Staunton who performs to the audience as though singing straight at every individual watching. Playing up to the characters in their tales, it’s tough to not enjoy the set as much as they visibly do. Asking for snake dancing during Medusa Medusa, and guitarist Jonyx screaming for his mummy during Why Are My Dreams Always Trying To Kill Me are moments that endear all witnessing to NOVACROW, who are truly not a group to miss live.
Rating: 7/10
The time at last comes for the eagerly awaited Bristolian headliners RXPTRS to grace the circular stage to bring their rampant riffs and soaring melodies to the Manchester crowd. Vocalist Simon Roach navigates the room dancing and encouraging crowd members nearer as WHITNEY HUESTON’s classic I Wanna Dance With Somebody serenades the room, although “somebody” is comically replaced with “Raptors”. RXPTRS as an outfit navigate rhythmic riffs, punk rock grooves, modern metal, and everything in between, all the while spearheaded by Roach’s more than impressive high-octane vocals ranging from Myles Kennedy-esque vibratos to hardcore inspired screams. He is an impressive performer, mounting the monitors and makeshift riser to laude over his budding audience hanging on every impressively high note he belts.
They bring a set displaying the full extent of their relatively short career thus far, heavy with tracks from last year’s album Living Without Death’s Permission as well as some they admit to having not played in a while such as the anthemic Collapse and Rot, a powerfully pummelling track in which it seems it is mandatory to bang your head, all the while drummer Matt Capper pulls angular rhythms in the least expected moments to grab your ear. Impressive riffs led by guitarists Ian Chadderton and Harley Watson are incessant in the set, with hands flying up and down their guitars at a fervent pace, constantly keeping you on your toes with slight variations and pummelling chugs carrying you between.
They close the evening with emotional singalong The Frail, the chorus refrain of “Father” being taken by the room while Roach fills in the gaps, followed by fan favourite You, Me And The Devil Makes Three for which he clambers up all the way onto the stage lining barrier, bellowing the final chorus impassioned, truly displaying why he is such an enthralling performer. RXPTRS show themselves as natural born performers during this set and seem ready for bigger and better things to come.
Rating: 8/10
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