Through The Lens: Chat Pile / Frontierer @ Rebellion, Manchester, 18th August 2023

OK, I admit, I’m once again slow getting these photos published as it has been a crazy time at Shaman HQ, not helped that it’s also been silly season for gigs over the last few weeks. Enough of the excuses as even though this gig at Rebellion in Manchester happened back on the 18th August, it’s surely better to be late than never eh?

Just two bands were on the bill for the night and first off were Frontierer, a new name to me and before they’d even struck a note, I was a little concerned by the signs around the venue stating strobe lights would be in use during their set. Yes, the stage lighting was pretty crazy, but not as strobe heavy as I envisioned so I managed to keep the seizures at bay, partly helped by watching, or I should say not watching, chunks of their set with my eyes closed.

Musically, not totally my bag, but they played a ferocious set of tech metal and hardcore meets math rock, so if that sounds like your thing, be sure to check them out. Then it was time for Chat Pile. Another band I managed to catch on the Main Stage at Roadburn earlier this year, but it was awesome to witness their antics in a smaller, albeit extremely hot and from what I believe, a sold-out venue.

The Oklahoma four-piece ploughed their way through a relentless set of older and newer tracks lifted from God’s Country, their current long-player that was released through The Flenser, in between the charismatic, and once again shirtless, frontman Raygun Busch showing his appreciation for the city of Manchester, the movies filmed in the area, and that the infamous The Haçienda once stood a few hundred meters from the very venue they were playing.

Now all that’s left is to check out the photos from the gig below…

Chat Pile

Frontierer

Photos by: Lee Edwards