Live Review:  Blackout Problems backed by Lake Malice – Electro-Rock and Metal Fuse with the Listeners – Academy 3, Manchester – November 13, 2024

By Chyrisse Tabone and Wendy Hunter, Journalists, and Chyrisse Tabone, Photographer – Rock At Night, Manchester, UK

Since the release of their latest album RIOT, Munich-based band Blackout Problems has been working the scene hard in Germany and abroad. The band’s heavy socio-political music appears to resonate with fans. The trio, which consists of Mario Radetzky (vocals/guitar), Marcus Schwarzbach (bass), and Moritz Hammrich (guitar), is touring the UK this month along with alternating live drummers Marius Bornmann and Jo Press.  Their repertoire includes punk, pop, EDM, R&B, and electro-rock.

Rock At Night caught up with the band at Manchester Academy, which is located within the Student Union of Manchester University.  However, first up in the evening was the Brighton-based band Lake Malice.  With its hyperpop metal sound, the band recently collaborated with Blackout Problems with the single “Quicker Than Death.”  The duo, which consists of Alice Guala and Blake Cornwall, formed the band after ‘meeting’ on Facebook during COVID.  At the Academy 3, the stage was bathed in rose and purple lighting as Lake Malice warmed up the 20-something-aged audience with “Black Turbine” and “Bloodbath.”  As Guala stood on a monitor cover, she belted out her versatile voice which filled the room with personal pained screams which engaged the listeners to respond.  The song “Stop the Party” brought the house down, which made me think, “How can Blackout Problems top this?”

Blackout Problems upped the ante as they performed the scorching “DNA” and lyrically stinging “WHALES,” making the hall seem to vibrate in time with Radetzky’s crying vocals.  More songs from RIOT that hit the core were “TROUBLE” and the dark “PUZZLE.”  Radetzky switched over to acoustic guitar to perform “STASH” and “ONATRAIN.”  A highlight was when Blackout Problems performed “Quicker Than Death” with Lake Malice.

The performances by Lake Malice and Blackout Problems at the Academy were dynamic.  Especially notable was the connection the bands had to the concert-goers who sang, danced, and pumped fists in the air.  These two bands are an example of new music for the masses and seeing a concert is  time well spent.