Reaper return to Manchester with a Valentines weekend bill to fill the black hearts of many.

REAPER

Rebellion Manchester is a room that reveals itself fully only when the volume is high, the lights are low, and the crowd understands exactly why they are there. Across Valentine’s weekend, Reaper Agency once again claims that space for something deliberately uncompromising.

Across two days, the festival gathers artists who treat live performance as something closer to ceremony than entertainment. Many of the appearances here are rare by design, with debuts, anniversaries and limited performances woven directly into the fabric of the weekend.

SATURDAY DEVOTION

The bands assembled share a fascination with heaviness not just as volume, but as atmosphere and psychological weight. Krypts embody that approach perfectly. Their cavernous sound feels subterranean and immense, each riff dragging the room deeper into itself. That ceremonial weight deepens with Barshasketh. Their layered black metal unfolds gradually, demanding focus and rewarding it with a sense of unease that lingers.

Naxen and Aera bring distinct perspectives that are seldom witnessed on UK stages. Naxen’s monolithic sound is imposing and relentless, while Aera’s raw urgency gives their material a volatile edge. Imperial Demonic inject more adrenaline as they bring their unholy black metal to the stage.

One of the weekend’s most anticipated moments arrives with Sword of Dis making their live debut. Reaper have a tendency to always land something exclusive. They welcome Mika Kallio of Barshasketh on drums, Rory Conder of Lunar Mantra on Bass and Hearne of Svartfjell on Guitars. Lunar Mantra and Vestia push Saturday further into hypnotic territory. Lunar Mantra draw the room into a shared trance through droning repetition, while Vestia’s funereal weight lingers in the air long after the sound fades.

SUNDAY COMMUNION

Sunday arrives carrying the weight of everything already experienced. The Spirit seek to cut through that haze with precision and drive. Their appearance alone reinforces how selective this line up truly is.

A defining moment of the entire festival comes with Abduction marking ten years. Material will be delivered with a decade of growth behind it, transforming raw chaos into something formidable. For long time followers, this will be a rare and deeply meaningful experience.

Ofnus and Blood Countess ensure Sunday refuses to soften. Ofnus approach black metal as ritual, their pacing measured and atmosphere oppressive. Blood Countess strip everything back to fury and confrontation. Together, they reinforce the festival’s commitment to contrast without compromise.

Dreich’s presence feels inseparable from Manchester itself. Their bleak and emotionally charged sound mirrors the city’s grey hues and Evil Dungeon Crawler will be chaotic, excessive and entirely unrestrained. Elsewhere, Hecate Unthroned will bring a slightly different texture with a subtly symphonic slant on the black metal fury.

Tickets for the weekend are just £40 and can be purchased here. Day tickets are also available for £25.

Whet your appetite with a slice of Naxen, below.

Reaper Agency UK: Website

At The Barrier: Facebook / X / Instagram