Live Review: Madball - Rebellion, Manchester
6th February 2025
Support: Going Off, Chain of Survival, Lethal Minds
Words & Photos: Rich Price
Making it to a packed-out Rebellion just in time to catch the start of Preston heavy hardcore four-piece Lethal Minds, who opened up the evening nicely. Their heavy, chugging riffs did a great job of getting the crowd warmed up, and almost immediately, we were treated to the youngsters in the pit showing off their moves.
Next up were Liverpool’s Chain of Survival, playing a potent mix of hardcore, thrash, and punk. I really liked these—keeping the crowd entertained despite a few technical issues with the drums. They played well, really well, and I thoroughly enjoyed their set. They certainly brought the energy up in the room significantly. A bit more old-school than I’d anticipated, which was lapped up by the increasingly rowdy crowd.
With hip-hop playing between bands, it was safe to say that after two excellent openers, by the time Going Off were set to take the stage for their first set of 2025, the atmosphere at Rebellion was electric. I’ve seen Going Off before, and it’s safe to say they’re something genuinely special live. Indeed, to paraphrase a friend of mine, they’re ‘absolutely goated, top-tier Manchester hardcore’—it’s difficult to argue.
All eyes in the crowd, some already blackened, were on the band. Knowing what was about to happen, it was surreal seeing the slightly framed singer smiling and limbering up on stage. I couldn’t help but think it was like watching Charles Hawtrey preparing to go Super Saiyan beast mode and level the place. What followed was absolute savage carnage. The crowd went feral, and I took far too many pictures, caught up in the absolute magic of it all.
For some, it got a bit much, and one person taking things too far was swiftly and professionally removed by security to the approval of others. They exited swiftly, being admonished by the band from the stage in their disgrace. The band were on absolute fire, throwing themselves around the stage with an energy that made my head spin trying to keep my lens trained on them. Absolutely brilliant stuff.
One of the best sets I had seen in months—and I’m saying months only because Damnation Festival still lingers large in the memory.
What could be better than that, I ask rhetorically? It would take legends, and rather fortunately, it just happens to be legitimate NYC hardcore legends Madball. They are coming to the end of their Rebellion tour—rather fittingly at the Rebellion Bar, and they’re definitely on peak form tonight. Taking to the stage with ferocious energy, vocalist and sole original member Freddy Cricien paced the stage with the wild energy of a man who’s just realised he still needs to hit his step count for the day and has 40 minutes left to do it.
Starting with Heavenhell, through Set It Off, Pride (Times Are Changing), Rev Up, to closing track Doc Marten Stomp, this was an absolutely ferocious set. In between each group of three songs, we were treated to chats about unity, the global hardcore culture, and Madball’s pride at representing the worldwide hardcore scene: It’s a commanding performance, delivered with pride and heart.
This is one of the best gigs I’ve been to in ages. By the end, I had the biggest grin on my face. My notes taken at the time are starting to become really quite rambling with praise and enthusiasm. This was an epic performance, representing the very best of this kind of live music, and the crowd—myself included—was more than demonstrative in our appreciation. Madball are legendary, and tonight, they reminded Manchester exactly why.
Madball Set List:
- Heavenhell
- Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop
- Hold It Down
- Set It Off
- Smell The Bacon
- Lockdown
- It’s My Life
- Hardcore Lives
- NYC
- Get Out
- Freight Train
- Infiltrate The System
- Across Your Face
- Face to Face
- Born Strong
- Pride (Times Are Changing)
- Rev Up
- Look My Way
- Down By Law
- For My Enemies
- Doc Marten Stomp
Photo Credits: Rich Price Photography
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