One of the very last major tours of 2025 made its way through the UK and finally ended in Manchester. Southern rock/stoner metal band Clutch returned for yet another amazing set of slow and bluesy metal. It was a packed house and everyone was ready for one last show before Christmas. Clutch did not disappoint. Bokassa and 1000mods acted as support.
Bokassa were first, and this was an interesting sight considering many had seen them in one of the smallest venues in Manchester (Satan’s Hollow) and the biggest while opening for Metallica. It’s strange seeing a band’s set completely recontextualised by the size of the venue, but it also speaks to how versatile Bokassa are when it comes to utilising space.
Bokassa were a chatty bunch despite the short set and made a stellar first impression, with vocalist Jørn Kaarstad bantering in between raucous bluesy metal tracks like ‘Garden of Heathen’, ‘Walker Texas Danger’ and ‘Molotov Rocktail’. Bokassa are a lively bunch and their blues-driven riffing helped set off the night on a high.
Next up was 1000mods, a much slower and less talkative band, but they still stuffed as many sludge fueled riffs as possible into their set. Armed with two guitarists, one of whom looked like he was frozen in 1973 and just woke up today, you knew you were about to experience some premium Black Sabbath-inspired heavy metal. Tracks like ‘Road to Burn’ and ‘Vidage’ have that syrupy guitar tone you’d expect from someone like Sleep or Saint Vitus, albeit with less smoke.
It was very easy to get lost in the massive and often repetitive riffs. If you could get in the right headspace (legally), you’d be sure to have an amazing time wading through the swampy bangers held in this set. 1000mods seem like a band that values rock history, as they also paid tribute to Motörhead with ‘Superfreak’, a breakneck track full of double bass drumming and lightning fast riffing. A highly enjoyable time for those who party.
Finally, Clutch appeared after a bit of a singalong to ‘We Gotta Have Money’. It was difficult to see the drummer and guitarist from my position, but vocalist Neil Fallon utilised all the space as he did a borderline interpretive dance complete with expressive gestures. The show opened with the chunky slow riffing of ‘Nosferatu Madre’, a weirdly slow paced track to start with compared to the rest of their back catalogue. They picked up the pace as they went on.
Neil Fallon had a bizarre stage presence. During ‘Walking in the Great Shining Path of Monster Trucks’, he waved to the photographers before rolling a fake cigarette in a really detailed and vivid manner. You could be convinced it was real if you were only half paying attention. It was hard to keep track of what was being played unless you were a Clutch superfan, as the setlist changed every night, adding a sense of variety and surprise that made each show unique.
Even though the setlist kept changing, you’d still hear classics like ‘Big News’, ‘The Mob Goes Wild’ and the eternal classic ‘Electric Worry’. Tracks like ‘Escape from the Prison Planet’ and ‘Slaughter Beach’ were instantly recognisable, and the inclusion of raucous ragers from Psychic Warfare, an album many (including myself) have a deep connection with, was a welcome touch. Neil Fallon said “drink on me” as security started handing out cups of water, a practice that’s been fantastic to see considering how many people struggle with heat exhaustion. Shortly after, the band burst into ‘X-Ray Visions’, a high-octane experience that everyone is sure to take with them long into 2026.
The show ended with a cover of the Southern rock classic, ‘Fortunate Son’. It’s a weird way to close out the show but it’s a surefire way to get everybody singing along, as thousands of drunken Mancs screamed “IT AIN’T ME” before making their way back into the cold and getting ready to brave the Mad Friday crowds.
Clutch was the final show of 2025 for RAMzine and a huge high note to end on. There was just the right amount of bluesy sludgy rock for everyone and it really felt like a big event. Even though Clutch come back to Manchester often, this still felt like a special show. There’s sure to be more rock and metal and whatever ZINE stands for in 2026, but for now, that’s your lot. Tell us in the comments what you want us to cover in the new year.
