Live Review: RXPTRS, Satans Hollow, Manchester 06/08/2022
Signing to a new label, releasing their debut full-length and now coming to the end of their latest UK tour, 2022 is truly forming to be the year of the RXPTR. And there is only one condition: one must live without death’s permission.
Following from six nights of heavy fun and cathartic hollering, British hardcore outfit RXPTRS have found themselves in the pit of hell itself: Satans Hollow in Manchester. This is the setting of a history-making night as it marks RXPTRS’ first Manchester headline show, and what a hell of a night it turns out to be.
The band released their debut album Living Without Death’s Permission only weeks prior, and this is their chance to take the new tunes for a test drive in the city of punk and alternative. However, before the five-piece take to the stage, the crowd is warmed up by Mancunian metalheads Ventures. A band that live the classic rockstar lifestyle, while throwing in some beautiful banter and brainless behaviour. Not too dissimilar to usual happenings in the north-west nightclub, but worked well with their unique brand of metalcore. Getting the crowd cheering, clapping, singing and laughing along every step of the way, everyone was ready and not willing to wait a second longer for the men of the upcoming moment.
Being in the scene from the end of the 2010s, RXPTRS were able to get a following behind them and that following gave them the standing, screaming and applauding ovation in the venue. Showcasing their latest helpings, frontman Simon Roach put his whole head, heart and voice into his performance. He got the blood pumping and the people moving, and united the room with songs of joy, sadness, grief and forgiveness.
There is strength in numbers; and there was no group stronger than RXPTRS and their hardcore disciples.
The gig rounded off with fan favourite hit ‘You, Me and the Devil Make Three’ and the floor was shaking, the barriers were breaking and Roach himself escaped the circular stage his bandmates were perched upon to to leap over heads into the audience. Power cannot be contained, emotion cannot be held back, and the RXPTR cannot be tamed.
The performance has ended and the tour is complete, but this isn’t the end of RXPTRS. This is not the last the city will see or hear of them - nowhere near. As the group have only released their debut just this year, they will be back and they will be stronger and louder every time.
Mark your calendars. This is just the beginning of the year of the RXPTR.
Words by Jo Cosgrove
