LIVE FROM THE PIT: Adept, Thousand Below, Ocean Sleeper and Intohimo

Metalcore is one of those metal subgenres that whether you like it or not, is always prevalent and right in the mainstream within alternative music. That is why fans of this music subgenre tend to be extremely loyal to their favourite artists. That is exactly why when ADEPT announced their return album after a near decade long hiatus, we knew that this would be a massive deal. There is however, a bigger deal than the new record Blood Covenant, a brand new tour for the first time in eleven years. On this reunion tour, the legendary Swedish band brought INTOHIMO, OCEAN SLEEPER and THOUSAND BELOW to support them, creating what the band would hope became a reunion tour for the ages. 

Kicking things off was easily the heaviest band of the evening. INTOHIMO have a sound that intertwines metalcore with the more chaotic assets that you would assosciate with hardcore and slam. This was instantly noticeable by the stage presence the band had. The vocals were heavy, yet felt off rhythm, and the guitars focused on brutal riffs and breakdowns, all of which is expected from a slam band. What felt overwhelming in this set to a bunch of people towards the front of the stage was the vocalist kept on leaning over the barrier separating the general admission area and the photo pit whilst delivering his powerhouse gutturals. For a band such as INTOHIMO, having them on first was a bold move, as the intention was clearly to get the attendees who showed up early to move around and cause as much chaos as possible.

The following band, just like the first one of the night, was brand new to a ton of attendees. Hailing from Australia, OCEAN SLEEPER are a band that is yet to make a proper statement within the global metalcore community. Right from the get-go, frontman KARL SPIESSL jumped all over the stage and spun around, commanding the public to follow suit. His vocals matched his stage presence, his harsh vocals were ferocious whilst his cleans were delicate yet totally unique. The choruses were catchy and gripping, as the breakdowns were expertly executed. Overall, this Australian four-piece delivered a statement making set proving that they are here to stay, and not only are they young, but they are also packed with potential, showing Manchester that they are fully prepared for a headline tour within the next few years. 

After the second short wait between bands, the main support for this gig, THOUSAND BELOW took to the stage. Vocally, this band sounded very similar to ADEPT, however in terms of stage presence, they were drastically different. Most of the performance shined due to vocalist JAMES DEBERG running and jumping around the stage, as guitarist JOSH THOMAS danced and joined in with jumping as he delivered some extra vocals too. This was the perfect warm-up set as the balance between talking and songs throughout the short performance was spot on, and kept the crowd engaged throughout. By the time the band finished, we felt more than ready for our headliners to come on for the first time in eleven years. 

Once THOUSAND BELOW came offstage, there was a slightly longer wait as the final changeover took place. As expected though at a metal show, making friends was extremely easy which helped the waits throughout the night fly by, and in no time at all, the lights dimmed one final time as the intro to the opening track of the ADEPT set, Blood Covenant, the title track of their reunion album, played full volume through the speakers in the venue. What followed was nothing short of chaos onstage. The headliners came on all guns blazing and ripped through song after song. The speeches throughout the set were nostalgia fueled, mostly reminiscing of how the band missed each other, and missed being onstage together, whilst also including the usual “we love you guys” sprinkled throughout too. Tracks such as Shark! Shark! Shark! and The Ivory Tower are true standouts, and the band played these with as much passion as they can give these songs. 

At the end of the day, passion was what this show was truly all about. Each opening act was passionate in their own way, and they all celebrated ADEPT throughout each of their sets showing everyone in attendance that they are just as grateful to be part of something so special. As for the returning Swedes, their return to the north of the country was epic, chaotic and triumphant, and it is this victorious, celebratory return which will surely be remembered by each and every person who was a part of this night, whether they were a performer or attendee, this evening proved that ADEPT are here to stay, and have returned stronger than how they left us, an extremely long time ago.

Words: Itay Gilad

Photos: Cate Neves