Live Reviews: Slammer MCR 2025 (Sunday)!

After a triumphant Saturday that left everyone in a sweaty mess after Waterlines got the daisy chain gang in full flow, miraculously hangover free, we enjoy a Full English breakfast in preparation for day two of Slammer. Over much needed coffee Chris Underhill from My Latest Failure shares the bands plans to put out a collection of double a-side singles that include a couple of We Punch Tigers covers and alternative versions of existing tracks. It has to be said that the artwork he shows us looks the real deal so that’s something to look forward to as far as the Hardcore injected Punk trio are concerned. It’s Sunday, it’s Manchester, it’s raining and we’re on our way to Rebellion to witness another wave of ten bands from the United Kingdom Metal Underground scene…

A Traditional Heavy Metal trio armed with tales of fantasy, Crescent Halo [7/10] being the day by playing a collection of songs from their debut album “The World We Knew Is Gone” including “In The Dragon’s Lair” while flirting with Power Metal in the process. They unleash a wealth of impressive solos throughout their set and their vocalist has plenty of storytelling acumen, however his pitching on the high notes isn’t quite right. That’s probably down to nerves and not being quite relaxed enough but in truth they have an ocean of talent and that is what shines through. As much as Kabuki [7/10] are a band, they’re also artists and have a real sense of theater about their performance, making great use of stage props, from flags to black feathered wings and more with a black and neon pink dominated visual aesthetic. Sonically they have an avant-garde flare, crossing boundaries between Pop, Rock and Metal with “Ice Cream” the stand out tune and even if they don’t have a drummer they’re an intriguing watch. A friend in need is a friend indeed or so they say and Apparitia [8/10] have brought with then a fill in guitarist who nails his parts during a set that swings between Progressive Metal and Rock like a pendulum. Vocalist Kaitlan Chadwick describes their sound as “wizard music” and to be honest they’re at their best and seemingly most confident during their heavier moments. “No Cause For Alarm” is a highlight and if they’re in town, make sure you don’t sleep on witnessing them.

Sheffield Metalcore act Reanimate [8/10] have long been touted as ones to watch, their 2023 debut EP “The Void” making a splash on arrival and its easy to see why. Anthemic cuts like “Snake In You” are impressive with catchy sing-a-long choruses and hard hitting verses that have a serious emotional weight to them. At times its as though they’re blurring the lines between Pop Punk and Metal, their inability to resist a breakdown the reason that they’re here. Midlands Cinematic DJent pioneers Vanitas [10/10] are utterly spellbinding with their performance this afternoon as they play their third EP “Journey to the Sun” in full. In Jade Maris the band have a captivating vocalist with an incredible range, able to carry off achingly beautiful clean vocals as well as brutal harsh unclean ones seamlessly during a powerhouse performance all round. From the thunderous drumming to the intricate riffs and tapping sections, they’re a band who command your attention and with enthralling performances like this, in all honesty deserve to be on far bigger stages. “Your Demise” and “Lucid Dreams” are set highlights, the musicianship on display second to none and sure, they could use some pyrotechnics but who doesn’t?! Leeds Crossover Thrash merchants Redeye Revival [8/10] may not have given us any new material since 2019’s “Amongst The Grime” but in May they hinted at “Wolves and Cheese” as being something fresh in the set. In vocalist Paul Allinson, who was on stage as part of Dwingle yesterday, they have a powerful frontman who knows how to get the crowd going and he does so with verve and swagger the band slipping back into 2017’s “Double Drop” record like a well oiled machine. Is there going to be new material in the not too distant future? On this evidence, we hope so!

Another band we’ve previously witnessed Recall The Remains [10/10] blur the line between Metalcore and Deathcore with their may released album “Revenant“. They’re clearly here to have fun and lead vocalist Jacob Collins is a man mountain who grins from ear to ear between his throat splitting roars, just happy to be here, on this stage and taking it all in his stride. He gives the band a real stage presence and in return the rest of the band provide the ammunition with brutal breakdowns, thunderous percussion and a few moments of melody. Set highlights include “Cerberus” and “Fairfield” but in truth you could have picked any of them from this triumphant, energetic display. Is there a reason why Dystopian Sun [10/10] aren’t signed to Century Media and touring Europe with Distant? If there is, we’d love to hear it because on tonight’s evidence alone the world or at least Europe, should be their oyster. A heavy Deathcore collective with a serious amount of stomp and a taste for the symphonic, the four piece decimate the weak and thin the herd as an unstoppable force of nature armed with enough low end sounds to register as seismic activity. Last years album “Ignite The Hatred” makes the backbone of the set and if you don’t love it, it’s time to leave the city. One of Manchester’s very own, Progressive Metalcore act 40,000 Leagues [9/10] set Rebellion ablaze with their Trivium like twin guitar harmonies and anthemic choruses, not settling for anything less than epic proportions. The raspy clean vocals from Nathan ‘Nips’ Crossdale mean “The Dragon Will Rise” is a masterclass and tonight is a triumphant home town show. Like Vanitas before them, there is no doubt they should be gracing bigger stages than this.

Resurfacing after a two year hiatus, Manchester Metalcore quartet Clashmute [10/10] gave Slammer a Hollywood ending with fans alongside guest vocalists in Alex Woodall from Rosen Bridge and Benji Mars from Waterlines on stage screaming through their final song, the microphones passed around like a liquor bottle at a bonfire party. By the end its like an old school London Hardcore show where there are no rules. Before Clashmute reach that point they give us cuts like “The Maryland Confessions” and the ferocious “Ratboi“, their new line up proving they have what it takes to match the bands prior reputation for high energy incendiary live performances. Down tuned riffage and a whirlwind of percussive battery are the order of the day, mosh pits reducing the crowd to a sweaty mess. The promise that no-one gets out alive is left ringing in the air as the bass rumbles and the beers go flying because who says Sunday nights not alright for fighting?! Slammer MCR 2025 was a weekend that had it all, proving that the UK Underground Metal scene isn’t just alive but thriving!