Québécois black metal outfit Spectral Wound return to Manchester with Final Dose in support.
All live photography by Miley Stevens. You can find more of Miley’s brilliant work, here.
FINAL DOSE
A churning industrial noise and flickering red light plays the London based quintet onstage. The singer is hooded and the players look suitably ghoulish. When Eternal Winter kicks in, the sound is oppressive. Red lights roll around the stage as singer, BF, stands stoic, centre stage. He fist pumps the air throughout as drum beats break out, feeling each shift. Weathered Axe is an early highlight with some great drumming and punchy, punky riffs.
Several interludes break the maelstrom to allow for quick respite and more electronic layering of sounds. A pit breaks out on the floor of the already full Gorilla. A few are over zealous causing security to step in. Final Dose however, just continue with their bludgeoning. Rite Of Spring stands out with towering riffs and some neat little guitar solo parts. The fusion of punk and black metal is nothing new these days; Final Dose have got their mix right. They set up the night perfectly, having plenty of time in support to really build a set rather than the promotors trying to squeeze another band on the bill.
Final Dose will be back in Manchester in November as part of Damnation Festival 2026. They head out around Europe with Wolves In The Throne Room in October and November.
SPECTRAL WOUND
From a band heading out with WITTR to one who have recently supported them. Spectral Wound also have previous with Damnation Festival having played as part of the 2025 event.
The widely revered Québécois outfit know how to put on a show. Prior to hitting the stage, there is a steady stream of classic hard rock and metal played over the PA. The good time feeling continues when the unmistakable strains of AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie blares out.
Swirling winds and flickering blue light make for an icy atmosphere; something that Spectral Wound really excel at. A blast of feedback leads into Fevers & Suffering. Singer, Jonah, is a charismatic and extroverted force as singer. He bounds around the stage cutting shapes and incorporating massive swigs from his cans of lager. The wheels certainly are greased with his form of hydration, with cans tossed to the side of the stage when empty.. He pirhouettes and perches on the monitors, building a connection with the crowd.
BLACK SATANIC GLAMOUR
Aristocratic Suicidal Black Metal feels like a bit of a call to arms. It is a furious beast of a song with blistering drumming and dense guitars. Jonah once again thrives in the spotlight, showcasing boundless energy. Aristocratic feels like an apt word to describe him!
Black Satanic Glamour is the only trip back to the bands 2018 album, Infernal Decadence. It is actually one of only two songs in the set not from the bands latest set; Songs Of Blood & Mire.
Spectral Wound fill the gaps between songs with dark soundscapes, never letting the malevolent atmosphere dip. There are certain moments in the set that are completely punishing. Less & Less Human, O Savage Spirit is first class with tempo changes aplenty, cascading lead lines and a thunderous momentum that shakes the confines of Gorilla.
When Spectral Wound hit Frigid & Spellbound, the end is nigh. This being the only other cut not from their latest LP, the crowd throw up horns and beer glasses before the fury explodes. It is one of the finest songs in the bands catalogue. A truly mind blowing Twelve Moons In Hell closes out the set in the same bombastic manor as Frigid. The acoustic outro signals the end of a sublime hour of black metal worship by one of the finest modern purveyors.
Spectral Wound: Linktree
Final Dose: Bandcamp