LIVE REVIEW: Riffolution Festival, Manchester Club Academy. 28th & 29th September 2024

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Riffolution

Opening Sunday’s proceedings were Lowen from London, with a Middle Eastern theme running through the vocals in style and delivery. A very distinctive and unique sound to witness. Most of the set came from the latest album, Do not Go to War with Demons of Mazandaran, and the crowd seemed to be enjoying the wall of metal hitting them! 

Lowen

Towards the end of their set, we got a preview of a new song due out soon which certainly piqued the interest. If you're looking for a band with an interesting mix of styles, then give them a listen! 












Leeds based Amon Acid were another new band to me, but I was massively impressed by their psychedelic doom infused sound. Again, I can't tell you any song titles, it seems Sunday’s theme was no set lists!! All those watching looked mesmerized with their performance, I was that impressed I went and bought the album as soon as they finished. 
Amon Acid


The 40 minutes set had everyone's heads bobbing with the flow of every note flowing out the amps, and I've never seen a guitarist use so many pedals before!! 



The low rumbling doom and crazy screaming vocals of Gurt sit well. With new album Satan Etc recently released, (reviewed by Andrew here) the band are on impressive form.  lead vocalist Gareth Kelly, all wrapped up in his microphone, entertains the audience, as the band create their doomy sludge that gets heads nodding and bobbing.


I have seen Gurt described as party doom in the past, and I must agree this is a perfect moniker. A smile is plastered on many a face, whilst watching a front man who seems both close to the edge and perfectly in control at the same time. The band blast out chugging riffs and crunchy tunes.  The room has fun, and the cheers are high. 

Sunday's headliners Belzebong from Poland hit the stage through a green foggy smokescreen and as the name suggests I'm assuming this isn't anything new!!
Bezelbong

They are a vocal free band, so they literally let the music do the talking, and the crowd were loving it! Everyone was moving in sequence to the doomy riff's rattling through the air and the heavy tones were an aural pleasure. 



I sit here a couple of days later reflecting on the weekend. I've been to several Riffolution gigs, but this might be the last. This will be a shame as the team put on awesome weekends. Fingers crossed they return with another one day.

Reviews and photos by Dez Coley and Neil 'Thrashtash' Bolton

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