Photo Credit: Max Stern

Manchester’s Deaf Institute, a unique blend of charmingly eccentric décor and Victorian architecture, set the stage for a night of powerful German metal acts, AVRALIZE and UNPROCESSED. The venue’s intimate, quirky setting, with its velvet drapes, patterned wallpaper, and a vintage disco ball, provided a perfect backdrop for a night that was equal parts heavy, intense, and fun. The crowd, a mix of hardcore metalheads and curious new fans, packed the room for an unforgettable evening of modern metalcore and progressive metal.

Opening the night was AVRALIZE, a modern metalcore band from Germany, bringing a fresh take on the genre. As they took the stage, the energy in the room immediately shifted. Known for their brutal breakdowns and catchy, anthemic choruses, AVRALIZE balanced ferocity with melody, blending themes of past traumas and anxiety with an undercurrent of hope. Their debut album, ‘Freaks’, has become a poignant testament to processing life’s struggles while offering a sense of resilience, a theme that can resonate strongly with the audience.

Vocalist Severin Sailer was a natural performer, constantly engaging with fans and moving across the stage with an energy that was infectious. His enthusiastic dance moves were a hit, and despite the small stage, he made it his playground, embodying the wild spirit of their music. Throughout the set, he would call out to the crowd, yelling, “You guys still with us?” This question was met with lively cheers and a mosh pit that steadily grew in intensity. At one point, two fans engaged in a duo dance in the middle of the pit, capturing the celebratory atmosphere AVRALIZE had created.

Musically, the band brought impressive volume and clarity. From the powerful bass lines of Valentin Noack, rumbling through the crowd to the guitar riffs of Philipp Tenberken,setting a foundation that held their songs together with tight precision. Especially with the songs ‘HIGHER’ and ‘OVERDOSE‘. Their set was filled with moments of playfulness, and Sailers’s gratitude was evident as he took time to thank the audience for supporting and seeing them, as well as UNPROCESSED. It was clear that they were enjoying every moment of their third UK show on this tour.

Following AVRALIZE’s high-energy performance. UNPROCESSED, a progressive metal band from Germany, took the stage for their highly anticipated set. Currently on their first European headline tour, UNPROCESSED has carved out a reputation for their intricate musicianship and technical skill, and this performance was no exception. From the opening notes of the intense and hard-hitting song ‘Hell’, the crowd was entranced by the complex guitar work and layered soundscapes. The finger work from vocalist and guitarist Manuel Gardner Fernandes was incredible, each note meticulously placed and executed, showcasing their detailed level of technicality that was nothing short of mesmerising. 

The energy in the room grew more intense with each song from the set as the audience cheered and “wooed” in appreciation of the band’s skill. With heavy and melodic breakdowns, UNPROCESSED knew exactly how to manipulate the room’s energy. Despite the room’s limited space, the pits were intense, and the venue’s small size seemed only to fuel the crowd’s desire to move. The raw-edged song ‘Thrash’ proved this. As the breakdown dropped, fans surged forward, caught up in a massive wave of collective headbanging and moshing. When Fernandes shouted, “Big heavy metal party tonight!” it was clear he meant it, as this was a night for fans to let loose.

Fernandes also took time to share their excitement about the tour, highlighting that this was their first sold-out Manchester show. During a brief lull between songs, he encouraged the audience to raise their arms and sway along to their introspective and dream-like song, ‘Glass‘, creating a hypnotic wave of hands in the air. Continuing on this momentum was the debut song ‘Sacrifice Me‘. It did not disappoint because it brought visceral vocals and heavier guitar work, which responded well to the audience. One of the night’s highlights was during their song ‘Orange Grove‘, where their fans began to launch themselves from the stage, crowd surfing, a feat in such a small room but executed with enthusiastic abandon and an already rowdy atmosphere. The band compared previous UK stops as the show progressed, noting Manchester’s youthful energy and the crowd’s eagerness to engage compared to other shows they have played on the tour.

The set hit its peak when fans began chanting for an encore, clapping and stomping until it sounded like a stampede, echoing through the walls of The Deaf Institute. UNPROCESSED returned to play ‘Haven’, a song that encapsulated their heavy yet sophisticated sound, as the band rallied the crowd for one last round of chaos. The band left the stage to thunderous applause, with fans chanting for more, unwilling to let the night end.

Both AVRALIZE and UNPROCESSED delivered performances that underscored their talents and distinct approaches to metal. AVRALIZE’s high-energy and crowd-friendly set established a fun atmosphere. At the same time, UNPROCESSED‘s intricate musicianship and powerful breakdowns showcased why they are one of the most exciting names in progressive metal today. It’s clear that Unprocessed, in particular, deserves a larger stage for future tours, as their sound and following have clearly outgrown smaller venues.

Overall, the night was a memorable mix of intensity and technical skill. Leaving Manchester’s metal fans excited and anticipating what these bands will bring next.