A Howler of a Home Show: Wailing Banshee

The British summertime is a distant memory and tonight, rain wraps around the alleys of Manchester. Leathers are donned to brandish against the weather and evoke the true heavy metal spirit. Tonight’s bill, the Worlds Apart Tour, draws in a classic crowd. 

Rattlesnakes and Neon Oracle offer support. Young, upcoming British talent that embody their band names with cutting aesthetic. 

Embedded with the iconic reverence of the Rattlesnake, harking back to the Rattlesnake Shake, a glam track recorded by both Mötley Crüe and Skid Row, and this band is just that. Heavy and groovy in sound and stage presence, this performance was energetic and authentic, with softer, more delicate moments with semi-acoustic guitars and vocalist Rowena Neale. A very well rounded metal outfit that captures the essence of old school British heavy metal. 

Neon Oracle feel otherworldly. Dark and moody with soaring riffs and vocals to compliment, this modern gothic effort carves out a niche all its own, whilst bringing blistering riffs and heavy metal thunder to their tracks and drenching them in industrial overtones. The vocals are delightfully evil, a performance reminiscent classic Nu Metal tracks and the transgressive growls that coloured them. 

Wailing Banshee performs a pre-show ritual by the stage, half concealed and in low light, but the energy is palpably exciting. 

Truly personifying the unrelenting spirit of the Banshee of mythos, we are subjected to a blistering barrage of anthemic familiarity. It’s a hometown show for these Mancunians, an aura of evident enthusiasm and kindred comfortability envelopes the ensemble. 

Introducing Dani Louise as a thrilled frontwoman. Despite the shadowy glare of her severe smoky eye and the heavy hardware of her biker’s leather, her enjoyment is distinctly apparent. Wailing Banshee are playing a stage close to their hearts, the Rebellion being a foundation for many rising metallers, and they’ve promised to debut two never before heard tracks, so there’s a buzz in the atmosphere . 

Dani’s stage presence was captivating, unsurprising coming from a singer turned model. Flamboyant yet foreboding, her haunting vocals drew us into her crafted mythology, dripping with darkness and magnetic mystique. This band resurrects a heavy metal from a bygone era, a fierce and poetic metal with grandeur, think Dio or Iron Maiden, but with an unapologetic feminine energy that refuses to soften to a more melodic power metal. 

Although she plays with her more serene vocals with her new track, Dani is an unrelenting powerhouse of a vocalist who embodies the spirit and strength of heavy metal. Her commanding voice, rich with emotion, is infused with twinges of gothic allure that seductively streaks her verses. Each song reads like scripture from a forgotten tome, rich with occult 

imagery and sorcery symbolism that evoke enchantment and danger. These aren’t just songs; she’s telling stories. 

Dani’s punch and potency is perfectly paired with the thunderous riffs and aggressive rhythm of the band, blending a classic heavy metal energy and sound with a brooding sensibility and tantalising darkness. Her vocals soar over the twin-guitar cannonade from Harry Darbyshire and Al McKenzie. The band feels very fully-fledged, a clear commitment and dedication to their music that boasts an impressively tight and professional performance. These songs are well rehearsed and well known, a band so clearly in the thralls of album writing and studious practising. 

This was a show with more than music, a young band got to return to a stage they owe their first performance to, met with a warm welcome and a stellar atmosphere for their special set and track debuts. Wailing Banshee would be a decorous addition to many festivals and tours across Europe, and I’d expect to see them on a lineup soon enough.