Music / Previews
Bristol’s month in Metal & Prog – July 2025
It’s still pretty quiet, relatively speaking, on the metal front this month, but July does bring some intriguing gigs, notably the unexpected return of Pentagram.
There’s also Overthrust, all the way from Botswana, so expect the metal crowd to be bulked out with plenty of rubberneckers.
is needed now More than ever
Thekla, July 1
Yes, it’s really them. Well, more accurately, him, with a new line-up. Anyone who’s seen the documentary Last Days Here may be surprised to find that Bobby Liebling is still alive at 71, much less fronting a new version of the doom metal pioneers who were founded in 1971.
The film depicted him as a hopeless junkie living in his parents’ basement, pissing away his legacy. But back he is, with a new incarnation of the band. So this may be our last/only opportunity to catch them live. Could be a triumph, could be a freakshow . . .
Trivia note: metalheads with exceedingly long memories may recall that fellow US proto-metallers Blue Cheer played one of their last British shows at this very venue in its former incarnation as the Old Profanity Showboat.
Exchange, July 13
The ever-popular annual Metal to the Masses contest reaches its regional final, the prize being a slot on stage at next month’s Bloodstock Festival.
Overthrust/Obnoxious Concoction
Golden Lion, July 19
Proof that world music need not be really, really dull and of interest only to gyrating white earth mothers, Overthrust are the leading lights in Botswana’s surprisingly large death metal scene.
Naturally, the world music industry isn’t interested in them, so they’ve crowdfunded their first UK tour themselves, in a ‘coals to Newcastle’ type deal.
There’s a whole bunch of bands on this bill, which runs from 7-11pm and is certain to leave lugholes ringing, the main support being the equally splendidly named Obnoxious Concoction from Leeds via Kathmandu. Note change of venue for this show.
COMING SOON
Here’s our essential diary of upcoming gigs that should be of interest to anyone of a rockin’ disposition.
Undeath, Thekla, Aug 6
HR, Exchange, Aug 7
Kerry King, Electric Bristol, Aug 13
ArcTanGent Festival: Karnivool, Melvins, DVNE, etc., Fernhill Farm, Aug 13-16
FM, Fleece, Sept 11
Nekrogoblikon, Electric Bristol, Sept 18
Eivor, Electric Bristol, Sept 20
Ricky Warwick and the Flying Hearts, Exchange, Sept 25
Atreyu, Electric Bristol, Sept 27
Blood Incantation, Electric Bristol, Oct 6
Testanent/Obituary/Destruction/Gostwhore, Bristol Beacon, Oct 7
The Utopia Strong, Cube Microplex, Oct 10
Glenn Hughes, O2 Academy, Oct 14
Paradise Lost, Electric Bristol, Oct 15
Battle Beast, O2 Academy, Oct 23
Rick Wakeman, Bristol Beacon, Oct 29
The Vintage Caravan, Exchange, Oct 29
Focus, Fleece, Nov 6
Francis Rossi, Bath Forum, Nov 7
The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Fleece, Nov 12
Saxon/Dirkschneider, Bristol Beacon, Nov 13
Orbit Culture, Electric Bristol, Nov 15
Conan, Thekla, Nov 21
Katatonia, Electric Bristol, Dec 8
Orange Goblin, Electric Bristol, Dec 14
Clutch, Bristol Beacon, Dec 15
Evil Scarecrow, Thekla, Dec 19
Epica/Amaranthe, Bristol Beacon, Jan 20
Avatar/Alien Weapnry, O2 Academy, Feb 18
Jethro Tull, Bristol Beacon, May 10 2026
Main image: Overthrust
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