Imperial Age with support from Grotesco Karma, Eon Gods & Seventh Station at Rebellion, Manchester

It’s April 30^th and Manchester’s Rebellion played host to an eclectic and powerful night of metal, headlined by symphonic metal giants Imperial Age. But before the headliners took to the stage, three unique support acts offered up an evening packed with variety, theatricality, and some unforgettable moments—both impressive and surprising.

Grotesco Karma opened the night with a performance that deserved more from the crowd than it received. Their vocalist delivered a flawless set, effortlessly hitting every high note with power and clarity, backed by a band that flowed with tight cohesion from start to finish. Unfortunately, the audience didn’t quite match the energy on stage. While the band brought their A-game, the crowd remained disengaged and at times even disrespectfully indifferent. It was a tough break for such a strong opener, and a reminder that sometimes the best performances aren’t always met with the appreciation they deserve.

Eon Gods followed and immediately flipped the atmosphere on its head. Dressed like they’d just stepped off the set of Loki season two, their mythological aesthetic set the tone before they played a single note. And once they did? The room shifted. Eon Gods took control of the stage—and the audience—with commanding presence. Their frontman, channeling the energy of a thunder god, refused to let the crowd remain passive, pulling them in with a mix of charisma, powerful vocals, and a refusal to let the room fall flat. It worked. The energy surged. Eon Gods didn’t just play; they performed—and they elevated the night in a major way.

Seventh Station continued the evening’s theme of unpredictability and musical depth. With a more instrumentally focused set, their music veered into progressive territory, and their guitarist delivered a standout performance, showcasing fretwork that could rival legends. Their vocalist, a man of surprising duality, punctuated brutal, harsh vocal deliveries with soft-spoken and hilariously sweet “thank yous” between songs, drawing smiles and chuckles from the audience. His playful stage presence, combined with wild dance moves and genuine enjoyment, was infectious. It was one of those rare sets where technical mastery met personality—and it paid off.

Imperial Age, the main act, took the stage to a now fully engaged crowd primed for symphonic grandeur. The crowd made it known throughout the night that they were there for these guys, with never moving from their spots in front of the stage, these fans were dedicated. Imperial Age sounds as if Dragon Force took a rebrand and decided to focus on the legends of Atlantis. If you love the Atlantis movie and just the whole history and stories of the lost land but also love some symphonic metal then this band might be your new listen. I got home and recommended them to my boyfriend instantly since he loves both topics massively.

They brought the elements of the lost land into their performance and sound with every member dressed like they just stepped out of Atlantis, with vocals like Sirens and hard flowing riffs these guys hosted an amazing night! Tour with DragonForce next?

Their set was a blend of soaring operatic vocals, pounding rhythms, and cinematic arrangements that filled the room with epic energy. They showed once again why they’re at the top of their genre, delivering a polished and passionate performance that brought the night to a fitting close. Both vocalists worked well with each other throughout the show allowing main focus time between the two, for a small stage and a big band they didn’t have much space to work with, but they made it work!

All in all, the evening was a rollercoaster of style and sound, with each band offering something distinct—from the unjustly overlooked talent of Grotesco Karma, to the electrifying theatricality of Eon Gods, to the progressive power and charm of Seventh Station. The Imperial Age had the final word, but the night truly belonged to all four acts who made it one to remember – especially for those who were willing to listen.