It is a truly rare occasion when you get to see two bands that shaped the fringes of a genre, sharing a stage and a tour. At least, that's the case normally for us poor unfortunates who don't have the luxury of living in London and getting to witness exclusive shows that apparently still constitute a "UK Tour". But tonight, Manchester is being treated to this rarest of spectacles. The mighty MARDUK, hot off of the release of their brilliant new record, "Frontschwein", are embarking upon a European invasion, bringing their brothers in arms BELPHEGOR along for the ride. Alongside this already sterling line up come some of Europe's up and coming Black Metal acts, and tonight these two acts are the brilliant ETHEREAL and BLISS OF FLESH. This evening already has the makings of a brilliant gig before any band has hit the stage, and all four acts certainly deliver on the hype surrounding the show.

First up are the criminally under looked ETHEREAL, hailing from nearby Liverpool, who have been making waves with their epic and verbose new masterpiece, "Opus Aethereum". They take to the stage, literally shrouded in darkness, and put on one of the most powerful and energetic sets I've ever seen a Black Metal act play. The Symphonic elements in their sound are genuinely hair-raising, and the contrasting sharpness of the Black Metal is pretty cool too. They make swift and good work of whipping the small crowd into a frenzy, and by the time they walk offstage, there's a sense that perhaps they should have been higher up the bill tonight.
 

They prove to be a hard act to follow, as the second band, French Blackened Death Metallers BLISS OF FLESH,  although good, can't really match up. They are a really tight live band, and have a thick, sepulchral air about it, and the guitars, bass and drums form a punishing wall of sound throughout their set. They are good, but sadly don't leave the mark that I feel they could have, and get a mixed reception from the crowd, who either love them, or are just indifferent to their set.
 

And then it is time for the Austrian Blackened Death Metal legends BELPHEGOR to take the stage. As per usual, they are absolutely brilliant, and get the warmest of welcomes from the crowd. They fly through plenty of material off of the new record "Conjuring the Dead", such as the title track and "Gasmask Terror", which go down very well and sit well alongside classics such as "Lucifer Incestus", "Hell's Ambassador" and the closing track "Bondage Goat Zombie". The crowd eats it all up, and descend into a head-banging horde, opening up mosh pits and generally falling into an excited frenzy. By the time they leave the stage, everyone is well and truly entertained, and waiting in anticipation for the headline act.

Setlist
1. Feast Upon the Dead
2. In Blood- Devour the Sanctity
3. Gasmask Terror
4. Impaled Upon the Tongue of Sathan
5. Black Winged Torment
6. Belphegor- Hell's Ambassador
7. Rex Tremendae Majestatis
8. Lucifer Incestus
9. Conjuring The Dead
10. Bondage Goat Zombie
 

After a relatively quick change over, it's time for the band of the hour to make their triumphant return to Manchester. MARDUK are, and I am saying this as someone who has been to countless Black Metal gigs over the years, one of the most impressive and cohesive live bands I've ever witnessed. Opening with the title track from the new record "Fronteschwein", they immediately make a concerted effort to pummel the crowd with their music. The music literally rips through you. There isn't really any other word with which to describe it. It just tears into you, it's so razor sharp and ferocious.

Setlist
1. Frontschwein
2. The Blonde Beast
3. Slay the Nazarene
4. The Levelling Dust
5. 502
6. Wartheland
7. Into Utter Madness
8. Cloven Hoof
9. Burn My Coffin
10. Warschau
11. Sulphur Souls
12. Afrika
13. The Black…
 

This was a show that fully showcased some of the best Black Metal that Europe and the UK have to offer, whilst simultaneously harking back to past glories, without slipping into the realms of nostalgia. ETHEREAL and BLISS OF FLESH both prove that Black Metal definitely has a strong and prosperous future, and both MARDUK and BELPHEGOR show that the old guard is still going strong, and can still perform with  the same energy and ferocity as they could in the early days of the scene. In short, this is a celebration of Black Metal not only that has been, but that which is to come.