Unleash The Archers Dominate Rescue Rooms with a Blistering Display of Power and Precision
- Aleksandra Hogg
- Jul 8
- 4 min read
Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, 7th July 2025
IMAGES / WORDS ALEKSANDRA HELENA HOGG
Monday concerts never fill me with optimism, because the clubs are usually empty. But imagine my surprise when I saw a long queue in front of the Rescue Rooms. That could only mean one thing—metal is not dead. Especially at the start of the week!
I was thrilled to see so many amazing people hungry for a power metal feast! That evening, two great bands took the stage: the German All For Metal and the Canadian Unleash The Archers. Since I had never heard of either band before, I was very curious to see how the night would unfold. I’d seen All For Metal listed on the Bloodstock lineup, but Unleash The Archers was completely new to me. Judging by the number of fans in the club, I knew something special was about to happen. Rescue Rooms doesn’t always fill up for metal gigs, so this was a clear sign that we were in for a solid metal experience.
All For Metal
All For Metal – Metal For All is the motto of this German-Italian band. But in my opinion, Fun For Metal would be even more fitting! When the six-member lineup hit the stage, I knew we were about to embark on a wild journey—from Valhalla to the land of f***ing dragons. Each band member was a character in their own right: from a colossal Viking to a haunted-looking bassist, everything was on display.
Even though I’m not usually a fan of this genre, I let myself get swept up in the madness—and I had a great time. This band isn't just about music; they bring a theatrical flair to their performance. Two vocalists took the stage: the mighty Viking Tim "Tetzel" Schmidt, with a voice to match his look, and the elven-looking Antonio Calanna, whose clean, classic vocals provided a beautiful contrast. After all, metalheads often fall into two camps: monsters and angels.
For a band with only three years of experience, they do an incredible job of winning over the crowd. I really appreciate when the barrier between stage and audience breaks down, and that night, the crowd truly became part of the show. There was a lot going on onstage!
Musically, the band also impressed. Every song was an invitation to sing along and have fun. All For Metal is definitely one of those bands that can get even the shyest wallflowers dancing with their infectious riffs and power metal energy. I was personally enchanted by the bass solo. It’s rare to hear a proper solo on bass guitar, and this one was something else. Florian Toma’s solo was a mix of incredible technical skill and raw, chaotic power. If you’re looking for a recipe for a great night out, I highly recommend the ladies and gentlemen of All For Metal.
Unleash The Archers
After their amazing performance at Bloodstock Festival, the Canadians returned to the UK for their promised tour. Unleash The Archers blend power metal and classic heavy metal with touches of melodic death metal. Their powerful frontwoman, Brittney Hayes (a.k.a. Brittney Slayes), is a founding member with an absolutely stunning voice.
The band was formed back in 2007, so they have far more stage experience than their German-Italian predecessors.
The band walked confidently onto the stage to the opening notes of "Abyss"—a strong and striking way to kick off the show. From that moment, the air grew heavy with riffs, and the band had no intention of slowing down. The guitar solos, combined with the tight rhythm section, beautifully supported the soaring vocals.
This time, the focus was purely on the music. There were no costumes or theatrics—just pure melodic metal. It was a full-on sonic assault that the crowd had clearly been waiting for. Hands were in the air, and voices echoed the lyrics in unison. That evening’s setlist was a cross-section of the band’s work, so everyone at the Monday show left satisfied.
At the end of the day, it’s all about having a good time—and that’s exactly what we had. Even though I’m not usually a fan of this genre, I completely understand its appeal and have deep respect for the talent, skill, and energy that this band brought to Nottingham.
Let’s hope they return to the UK again soon. It was amazing to witness the tight coordination and pure synergy of the band during their performance. Clearly, this kind of metal is alive and well—and still attracting fans hungry for epic sounds. The crowd was wonderfully diverse, too, from young fans to veterans whose age no one dared to ask.
Setlist
1. Abyss
2. Soulbound
3. Faster Than Light
4. Awakening
5. The Matriarch
6. Tonight We Ride
7. Test Your Metal
8. Ghosts in the Mist
9. Green & Glass
10. Gods in Decay
11. Blood Empress
Encore
12. Northwest Passage Stan Rogers cover)
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