Employed To Serve keeping moving forward, with Birmingham’s Mama Roux’s the latest conquest in their eternal campaign.

A masterclass from some of the nation’s greatest progressive rock treasures.

With fantastic support, The Ocean crushed Birmingham’s Mama Roux’s.

Boiler suits, headstands in the crowd, female empowerment and social commentary, Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes continue their mission to enrage the youth of today.

Idles are not just a band, nor are they just a movement. . . This night showcased their extraordinary gift: the ability to bring people together, to listen to a simple message, and to think about it, all while enjoying themselves.

Good looking people, great hair, and wonderful, catchy music – Leprous, in that respect, epitomise the “Three Greats” of Scandinavia. . . However, like many groups, they are evolving as much as they are maturing.

The Contortionist and Palm Reader gave Birmingham the perfect night of progressive metal, and hardcore

Canterbury riffs giants lead the way in a night of extraordinary talent.

A clash of genres at the Kasbah. Marmozets deliver emphatically in Coventry

Old-school thrash, hardcore, and death metal made for a marvellous mixed-grill at Birmingham’s Asylum.

‘Sonder’ is brooding album driven by punching guitar riffs, expected complexity and pop melodies.

Conjurer pay their tributes to the Flapper with an eviscerating display of strength

‘Where The Cycle Breaks’ deals in “passion, sincerity and truth”, as well as heavy choruses, gang vocals, and sublime melodic hardcore.

Blending cinematic themes and black metal over a double album is a tall order. Xanthochroid embrace the challenge and the first half of Of Erthe and Axen displays immense results.

Political commentary and instrumental technicality, The Tangent allow Roger Waters’ influence to shape their re-purposed image of progressive rock.

Whilst possibly a struggle for others, ‘Absence of Time’ should entertain metal guitarists of all talents.

Post-metal with shoegaze, When Icarus Lives perform a substantial remodelling of their own sound.

This is a strong post-metal release, especially for a debut. There are two sides to this coin, crushing riffs, and poignancy in melody; this album is about to show you both sides, and despite its hour-long length, the time flies by.

The Anthromancer is an impressively convoluted, raw, energetic and creative release. Expect math-rock, and prog, but throw in some ska and post-punk as well.

A very well done, and enjoyable, progressive rock record, though more nostalgic than innovative. – By Aidan Clucas

There are elements of nostalgia for those who are familiar with Deus Ex Machina, and too for those who are familiar with progressive rock. It is not ground-breaking but, rather, subtle in its innovation. Piras said he wanted the songs to feel more ‘from our guts than from our heads’ and this more primal-passion can definitely be felt, generated a more natural, earthy sound. By Aidan Clucas