LIVE REVIEW: Will Haven @ Rebellion, Manchester

Longevity isn’t something to be undervalued in the music industry, and longstanding servants of their craft WILL HAVEN will have seen many bands come and go in their tenure as cult heroes of noise metal. Returning to Manchester brandishing their seventh studio album VII, the Sacramento hard hitters will perform the album in its entirety for budding fans of their relentless barrage.

First to the stage are London-based sludge metallers PLAGUE TO PYRES, playing just their second show. Fresh with a set ram packed with chunky doomy riffs, droning industrial noise and brutal midrange screams they barrage you through the whole set. Vocalist Sean Gibson rocks back and forth throughout the show, eyes shut and silent between tracks as he produces emphatic screams reminiscent of LAMB OF GOD‘s Randy Blythe. Well placed rhythmic switch ups keep you on your toes during the pummelling, with mean riffs being mirrored by the faces pulled by guitarist Chris Sarantis, mirrored equally by the room as the crowd nods and headbangs along throughout. For what is only the group’s first set of shows, this is a monstrous display, and so much more must be inbound for PLAGUE TO PYRES.

Rating: 8/10

Next up are Midlands heavy hitting trio CREATURE, ranging from metallic hardcore to more melodic ambience, they are a definite pace change from what has preceded them tonight, with fast flashing tracks that drag the room to a racing pace. Vocalist and guitarist James Thompson manic screams are a feat over the top of his fast-moving riffs, navigating his guitar with frenzied technicality. Bassist Dan Willet and drummer Tom Bradshaw are no slouches, respectively covering every inch of their instruments through the course of their time. Thompson is a natural frontman eagerly encouraging the crowd closer to engage him as he visibly relishes in these interactions. The arrival of an alternate guitarist allows Thompson the opportunity to evacuate the stage and join the fans below, putting his arms around them while singing and encouraging his band with arms aloft. CREATURE’s engaging antics and mesmeric paced riffs keep your attention burned on the stage eager for more.

Rating: 8/10

Emerging to an ominous red lit stage at last are WILL HAVEN, going headfirst into Luna and For All Future Time, vocalist Grady Avenell scrunches up his face as though in pain at every word he utters. Frequent switches between fast thrashing grooves and slow sparce blows throw you about along with the music nodding and headbanging throughout, all of which accompanied by Avenell’s yearning, emotional screams. A selection of fans battle to be closer to the stage, vying for his attention as they repeat his words back to him, successfully so as he reaches his mic into the crowd occasionally allowing them to take over. Avenell looks ever appreciative after tracks finish, clapping with his microphone to everyone in the room.

A false start for technical issues during the intro of I’ve Seen My Fate gives the room notice of what’s next, as they clamour with the realisation. “Now you’re ready for us to do it for real” jokes bassist Adrien Contreras before the fan favourite, with a sea of heads banging during the monumental chugging groove. They continue with the trend of interspersing all the tracks off the new album with older ones, and there is little disparity in the reception to both, with the centre of the room always fluid with bouncing bodies and words bellowed out into the room. Guitarist Jeff Irwin battling early contempt for technical issues throws his full body around while headbanging during the slow half time grooves in Stick Up Kid, while drummer Mitch Wheeler’s sparse grooves and periodical moments of flashy bravado give space for the barraging riffs to hit you deep in your core.

There is seldom moment for pause that lasts long as the droning riffs persist relentless throughout the set, and scarcely a word said between songs save the occasional thank you, as they power on dutifully. Closing with crowd favourite Carpe Diem, the energy in the room launches up again with the centre of the room growing manic launching their arms and bodies around unburdened. As the last crushing chord rings out the crowd show their appreciation for WILL HAVEN a final time tonight, with the sentiment shared as the outfit reach out to hi-five crowd members in thanks. Not settling with being veterans of their craft, WILL HAVEN show themselves as masters of it, and no wonder they have kept going this long by this display.

Rating: 8/10

Check out our photo gallery of the night’s action in Manchester from K4tiephotogr4phy here: 

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