Acid Bath finally arrive on English shores. 35 years after their inception, the trio warm up for their stadium shows with System Of A Down with a scorcher in Manchester.

CONAN

Conan, like all the bands on the bill are relative vets of the game. They’ve consistenly put out high quality, crushing doom/sludge metal that always sounds unique; mainly due to the epic vocal delivery of Jon Davis. Davis is the bands constant over the bands two decades, with several line-up changes over the years. Having been in their current iteration for around three years, Conan are as tight as ever.

When their logo goes up on the huge on stage screen, there is a huge roar. Plenty are in for the opening act, even though the temperature is already sky high. ‘Let’s hear you!’ shouts Davis as band rattle through a breakneck thirty minutes. He encourages movement from the crowd and they oblige. It is great to hear a dedication to Manchester’s Star & Garter from Davis. When the band played there with Bongripper circa 2013, they shook the foundations. I personally remember the windows rattling and coming within an inch of their lives being shattered.

Conan deliver brisk and incredibly powerful set that leaves the crowd with horns up and revelling already. Satsumo, Hawk As Weapon and Battle In The Swamp are highlights that lay/rupture the foundation for a great night.

GREEN LUNG

It has been a little over five weeks since we were last in the presence of Green Lung at Desertfest. Tonight, they’re providing a different vibe to Conan and Acid Bath, whilst showing why they’re one of, if not the, best British heavy metal band around at the moment. Their charisma and stage presence is top notch and they feed off the energy from the crowd.

They open with the brilliant newbie Evil In This House. It got its debut at Desertfest; tonight it sounds like a song that has been a staple for years. It is a perfect opener and whets the whistle for their new album later in the year. Green Lung also premiere their latest taster with the title track of the forthcoming LP, Necroploitan Line. It is a song that has nods to Motorhead, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath in its duration. One thing is for sure, Green Lung are on a further upward trajectory.

When they dip into the back catalogue, Woodland Rites is a highlight. It is a little like their calling card. Let The Devil In, Old Gods and The Forest Church flesh out the set. It is indicative of the power of their last album, This Heathen Land, that they have a closer from that album. One For Sorrow is a hulking song that bludgeons. Opening in proper Black Sabbath doom fashion, it goes through many styles en route to its massive choruses. When Tom Templar counts off the numerical rhyme in the middle, it sends a shiver (which is most welcome on this night) down the spine; ‘Seven for the Devil…the Devil himself!’ It is a Green Lung classic already and the band leave to rapturous applause. This is Green Lung’s time and with any luck, they will keep growing.

ACID BATH

The sense of anticipation for what is to come is beyond palpable. Without banging on about the heat too much, it is now so hot in the Academy. Medical crews and security open doors and have fans strateically placed to aid ventilation. Security hand out water to the front rows like it is going out of fashion. They do an incredible job as it can’t have been easy working in that environment either. So, thanks to them.

When the ominous chimes of Black Sabbath ring out, the crowd sing along fervently as the stage flickers into life. This is the first time that Acid Bath have set foot on a stage in the UK, and Manchester knows it. For three and a half decades, many in the audience have waited for this moment. If the stellar supporting cast got a great reception, Acid Bath are greeted with a devotion that many a performer would kill for in a career.

Tranquilized opens proceedings in fast fashion. The opening guitar riff is enough to take the roof off. Immediately, the crowd move. ‘I live tranquilized,’ is hollered back at the band as several crwod surfers go over the top. This becomes a theme for the night. ‘Holy shit,’ mutters Dax Riggs under his breath after Tranquilized. The feeling is mutual. This is actually happening.

TANGIBLE EMOTION

Venus Blue’s opening strains are another ‘this is happening’ moment. There is a tangible emotion in the song. This comes through the stunning vocal of Riggs and the power of the five piece live band. Mike Sanchez and Sammy Duet tug at the heartstrings with their guitar work. It is unclear as to whether some people are shedding a tear or they have very sweaty eyes. I’d bet on the former. There is an even larger number of crowd surfers taking the ride now.

An acoustic guitar is brough onstage for The Bones Of Baby Dolls. It is a moment of serenity and tranquility before more chaos ensues. As an atmosphere, this is second to none. The crowd sing along triumpantly. Dead Girl is given the electric treatment as Acid Bath play the Agents Of Oblivion version. There is a huge swagger in the sound and again Riggs’ vocals sound incredible. Zack Simmons (drums) and Shane Wesley (bass) both help hugely with the strut of the song.

It is Wesley that opens up The Morticians Flame as the track gestates. The backdrop visuals hypnotize throughout and the crowd again deliver massively in singing back. Even at this point, this gig will be one of those ‘I was there’ moments. New Death Sensation is another of those ‘shedding a tear/sweaty eyes’ moments. It builds dramatically, waiting for the drop. Acid Bath are masterful in the way that they take you to the edge of the canyon but never throw you off. It is a compelte thrill.

THE BLUE

Graveflower is a personal favourite with its towering nature. The solo work atop the dense guitar and bass is genuinely earth shaking. Everything in the immediate diameter will have got some of it, especially with some of the doors of the Academy wide open! Paegen Love Song has everyone screaming the ‘Yeah!’ parts with the strength of every sweaty sinew.

When the band get to The Blue, track one, side one, of When The Kite String Pops, the crowd come unglued. It is the epitome of stoner/sludge metal. Slow, churning bass and deliciously evil riffs. Then, in the blink of an eye, a complete tempo change to whip the crowd up one more time. It is a superbly crafted song and one that Acid Bath leave us with. One thing is for sure though, the crowd are not blue, having just had the experience o the metal underground legends lay waste to Manchester.

On Manchester, it is great to see a band foregoing the capital for a one off show, instead heading north. Obviously that could be to do with routing as the band head off to Sweden to start their run with System Of A Down. There will be qualms about songs that didn’t get aired or could the band have played a couple more tracks, especially for the admission price. But, sometimes, less is more. This was utterly triumphant and Manchester paid it back in spades. They know they are lucky to have had the privilege, and we will never forget that hot and sweaty night in June 2026.

Acid Bath: Website

Green Lung: Website

Conan: Website

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