FESTIVAL PREVIEW: 12 songs to get you hyped for Uprising 2023


Combichrist - This Shit Will Fuck You Up

Promising an old-school set for all of us Uprising attendees, the aggrotech/industrial giants are really offering a treat in a few weeks. 2023 really does feel like Uprising's strongest year and I imagine this set will be much talked about after the event. It's hard to argue with the legendary status of the first song from Combichrist's second record. In every sense of the word, it will fuck the Academy up.

Lowen - The Fortress of Blood

My pick from 2018's 'A Crypt in the Stars', this track showcases Lowen at their haunting best, with wailing vocals and a uniquely Middle Eastern take on doom that gives them a psychedelic and progressive feel. Lowen do something genuinely interesting and different; this may well be one of the most memorable sets of the evening.

Boss Keloid - Hats the Mandrill

The one I come back to more than the rest from 'Family the Smiling Thrush'. The key changes are masterful, the riffs crush, their complete control over time and dynamics is totally enviable - Boss Keloid are always excellent live and 'Mandrill' is a great showcase for their wonderfully bizarre stoner-prog-psych-doom-rock-whatever if you're unfamiliar.

Boss Keloid - Hats the Mandrill (live at Arctangent Festival, Somerset, Aug 2022)

Blood Oath - Monuments to Our Ruin

An established presence in the Midlands metal circuit, Blood Oath's beers-in-the-air headbanger is sure to go down a storm. With a ripping solo and plenty of extremity, this song is a great example of why Blood Oath's ferocious riffs will bring the intensity festival up a notch when they play. 

Damim - World Turned Hell

This band aren't for the faint hearted, Jesus. These purveyors of brutality will surely deliver one of Uprising's heaviest, darkest sets. New single 'World Turned Hell' was released only today, marking the start of the band's chapter with Church Road Records. If you're into the old school sound with a seriously ugly touch, then this is a fine place to begin your journey with Damim. 

Paradise Lost - Forsaken

My personal standout from 2020's Obsidian. At their current rate of releasing new albums, Uprising may be your last chance to hear material from this record - or perhaps your first to hear a track from a future one? Set to be PL's first UK show with Guido Zima on drums, Uprising could very much mark the crossing over into new eras for the headliners. 

Paradise Lost - Fall from Grace (live in Leeds, Feb 2022) - Obsidian album launch

Palm Reader - Stay Down

The post-hardcore giants have developed a reputation as one of the UK's most consistently-delivering live acts over the last decade or so, and could not be more deserving of their high slot here at Uprising. 2020's 'Stay Down' has plenty of appeal for the more metal-oriented attendee, with some seriously nasty grooves, but a really interesting sense of musicality and individuality as the track develops. Top notch. 

Skarlett Riot - Warrior

Skarlett Riot are ideal for anyone looking for well-polished heavy rock/modern metal with big melodies and anthemic, powerful choruses. 'Warrior' is a huge song, preparing you for battle with a glorious, energetic rock feel. Stick it on a playlist and see how many times you keep coming back.

Internal Conflict - Paresthesia

A constant presence on the UK extreme underground scene, it really does feel like Internal Conflict are one of the Midlands' best. 'Paresthesia', a word meaning the feeling of pins and needles, takes no prisoners. With a catchy chorus, some serious heaviness and blistering grooves, this is a great intro to the band for the uninitiated.

Internal Conflict - Paresthesia (live at Scruffy Murphy's 20th Anniversary, Nov 2021)

Hawxx - Heart Play Dead

This alternative metal troupe play a modern, techy take on the genre with powerful lyricism. 'Heart Play Dead' is a great starting point into the band, as the grooves go hard and the chorus sticks around in your head rent-free after you're done. I hadn't heard of them at all before Uprising, but this could well be one of the best sets of the night. 

Saor - Origins

Shamefully, I'd only heard Saor for the first time in the run up to this event! The folk/black metal act dropped 'Origins' last year, and its title track is just spectacular - building gradually into a stunning, super-uplifting melodic outro; nothing short of transcendental it makes me think of Lord of the Rings for all of the right reasons. I am genuinely excited to witness this in a live setting. 

Paradise Lost - Say Just Words

More Paradise Lost? I mean, they are the main attraction... I'm going with an older one to close out with. I heard this live a good few times at the start of last year, and it always seems to cause a rush of endorphins when they play it. As soon as that piano intro comes in, you know what's about to go down. I, for one, can't wait for a cathartic rave of goth-rock brilliance.

MN

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