Obscura – Rebellion, Manchester 16th Feb 2025 – Gig Review
19th February 2025A Night of Technical Brilliance, Shredding, and Smoke Machines
This week on my travels, Rebellion, Manchester played host to Obscura, Skeletal Remains, and Gorod for a night of technical death metal. The night kicked off with Gorod, a band who certainly knows how to flex their technical muscle. The French death metal act was tight, energetic, and had all the right moves—well, almost.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, they were one member down, but you’d hardly notice as they powered through with precision.
GOROD photo courtesy of Laura Jane Photography © & Photography for All About The Rock
The singer, clearly feeling the vibe of the venue, took a brief intermission mid-song… to run to the bar and grab a beer. Rock and roll, right? For fans of Between the Buried and Me, Gorod delivered the intricate compositions with raw energy, ensuring the crowd was hooked from start to finish.
Next up were Skeletal Remains, a tried and tested four-piece death metal outfit that didn’t just stand their ground—they pulverized it. The drums were powerful, the riffs were unrelenting, and the guitarists? Pure shredding machines. The set was intense from start to finish, with a chorus of screams that could make any death metal fan’s heart race. The only hiccup? The lighting. A bit too “mysterious” for my taste, as it was nearly impossible to make out anything other than silhouettes of the band, which was a shame considering how hard they were hitting those riffs.
Finally, Obscura took the stage, and oh boy, what a show they put on. With a perfectly choreographed display of smoke, lights, and dueling guitar solos, their stage presence was undeniable.
OBSCURA photo courtesy of Laura Jane Photography © & Photography for All About The Rock
Musically, they were on another level—technical, precise, and brilliant. However, despite all the bells and whistles, the overall experience left me with the distinct feeling that something was missing. Brilliant musicianship, but it didn’t quite transcend into something unforgettable. Still, if you’re into technical death metal, you can’t deny that they know how to put on a show.
All in all, it was a night of impressive musicianship, killer riffs, and some lighthearted rock ‘n’ roll antics (looking at you, Gorod). While not every band hit it out of the park, it was an evening packed with tight performances and plenty of headbanging opportunities.
