Arising from the delectable remnants of Offal Fest 2026, as we writhed and liquified in the scorching heat that took hold of the UK and our bodies that were doomed to resemble crispy dippers, my friends we are not regulated to stand such intensity.
I am looking back to those days, when I had the enormous pleasure of witnessing the memorable devastation and evisceration of The Flapper during the Flesh Harvest Campaign Tour. I know I am late, but it is a night I felt I had to write about.
I was in good company with my esteemed friends Nat Sabbath, Dr David Gange and my newfound friend Theo, all of whom have an unhealthy interest in offal, it is a bond that is unwritten, a sacred knowledge that is reserved for those who have a peculiarly acquired taste.
The line up sounded like an over-zealous physician’s operating schedule, I braved my way down to the theatre, a journey I had made many times but tonight I wasn’t sure I would make it out alive.
First up to begin the slicing and dicing we had World War Three, a dastardly duo who make no bones about the state of play. Armed with a laptop and some vicious vocals – try saying that when you’re faced with a room full of Offalers – we engage in a battle of death, to the death. From Nottingham they rode forth with wares that would make Birmingham weep with the pernicious agony they bring. Lyrics to soothe even the most die-hard Slam warrior, we gently sank into position, knowing these were our last rites.
This line up is all new to me, so please forgive any error on my part, we are all here to learn and learn I had to very quickly as all the way from Italy came Inverecund, there was no love lost and no romance and no sun kissed Amalfi lemons either. Instead, we get humungous riffage, we get shiver me timbers vocals and I find myself cowering by the merch stand.
In at number three we have Embryectomy and as distasteful as the name sounds, you will hold onto your stomach as you read the track list. Seriously not for the faint hearted, I could hear pearls rattling from five districts away. Your nervous disposition had already checked out, and there you are, faced with the chieftains of Offal Fest Mr Kyriakos Destounis- singer and drummer Jake Gamble (Rancid Offal Productions), who along with King of the North Promotions are the instigators of this incisive and cuttingly insightful evening.
Throwing us off the roof of The Flapper and into the waiting cut, we had Epicardiectomy, scalpels ready my friends as the band frenetically play finders keepers with our heartbeats, the room was shaking, I could feel the floor move of its own volition. When inanimate objects come to life, surely that is a sign of the pure force and power of music.
The night was like a double helix, spiralling in and out of mosh pits, charging across the room, narrowly missing injury, swerving and spin kicking hither and thither, my friends hanging on to their cameras as the speed awareness inspector had left the room.
This is what we come for, this is why time and again, even though this scene is looked down upon and the accusers violently eye roll themselves into another dimension, the fans devour each note, each word, every morsel is savoured and we marinate in the darkly delicious delights that Slam/Death/Grindcore has to offer.
If you were lucky enough to catch this tour, then I’m sure you will agree with me on the huge potential and artistry on show.
Offal Fest happily resides in Manchester, in Birmingham we were treated to a taster menu, which we digested excitedly.
Look out for the return of this one of a kind seasonal Slam dunk of a show, the initial line up is already out there, if you missed out this year, then maybe 2027 is for you.
An incendiary night of the most brutal slam and death known to man, signed, sealed and delivered, Czechmate!
Azra Pathan
Flesh Harvest Campaign Tour 2026, Epicardiectomy, Embryectomy, Inverecund, World War Three
The Flapper, 30th July, 2026.