Faetooth & Coltaine @ Rebellion, Manchester, 7th February 2026
One band I heard plenty about last year was LA’s ‘fairy doom’ trio Faetooth. Having missed out on seeing them last year, I was looking forward to this The Beauty Witch hosted gig. To make the evening more intriguing, Germany’s post-metal maestros Coltaine were support, and it was clear from the packed Rebellionthat Manchester was out in full force.
For those unaware of Coltaine, they are a quartet, led by veiled singer Julia Frasch, whose stunning vocal range is even more impressive live than it is on record. As the soft, gentle Tiefe Wasser comes through the PA, the stage is bathed in yellow lights, before they go into Mogila, with the bassist slowly headbanging. It feels like a spiritual experience, and when they perform Memories Of Ice, the crowd are stood transfixed, in a hypnotic state, awoken only by Frasch’s powerful screams.
Their brand of atmospheric, melancholy mayhem translates impressively from record into their live performance, especially when the lighting adds more ambience to the music. Forgotten Ways has a cold blue edge, adding to the sinister feel as the solitary guitar and bass notes fuse with the spoken word. This leads into the epic Brandung, which is even more captivating and spellbinding, as the drummer joins in on guitar.
‘Thank you Manchester, this is our first time here’ says Frasch as the audience applauds their fine efforts. They are accomplished and talented musicians who create wonderful soundscapes, with military-style drums in Above Burning Sand, and the excellent Dans Un Nouveau Monde following. They have huge bass licks and exquisite guitars all wrapped around the ethereal and growling vocals, which are emphasised more on final song Gorit, as the crowd are fully immersed in their rhythm and tempos right up until the end of their exceptional set. This is one band that won’t be forgotten in a hurry.
In what seemed to be a quick turnaround, Faetooth were suddenly up on the stage and kicked off their set with Iron Gate. With tempo switches all over the place, their dual vocals lead to huge cheers from the crowd, with guitarist Ari May supplying the softer edge and bassist Jenna Garcia adding a more aggressive tone. They combine well, and the slower-paced start of It Washes Overallows for the succinct bass line to flow before the trio explode into life with Rah Kanan banging the hell out of the drums.
It’s an almost drone-like ambience they bring to the room, and on their second visit to Manchester as they drift into Death Of Day and White Noise. Both are intriguing songs, full of melody that creates an eerie spookiness. They’ve got that low-end doom sound down to a tee, and with the slow and crushing Remains blended with huge power and Garcia’s haunting screams, it’s clearly going down well with the crowd.
The heavy bass sound comes through once again on Hole as the dreamlike rhythm takes a grip of your body and soul, with calming vocals adding to the hedonistic state of mind. As that heavier section comes through, heads are moving all over the place, and when combined with the simple kick drum intro on Mater Dolorosa, it lulls you into a more tranquil state before the hefty sound kicks in again.
‘We have two songs left’ says May, ‘which is a little sad, but this is called Meet Your Maker’ and what follows is a mighty piece of slow impending doom as the lighting adds more tension and atmosphere. The guitarist disappears from my view for a while as she’s on her knees playing, and it’s one hell of a good song. With one final‘thank you Manchester, if you know this song, I wanna hear you sing, and I wanna see you move’, they begin the pensive sounding Echolalia. Bodies are moving, people are singing, and it’s a commanding way to end their compelling set.
Faetooth
Coltaine
Scribed by: Matthew Williams
Photos by: Lee Edwards
