Jagerbombs, Riffs, and Roars: Luke Appleton's Power Trio & Doomsday Outlaw Detonate SOS Fest 2025 - Day 1!

Day 1 - SOS FESTIVAL 2025

Review by Andrew James Beard - A Review By the Fans for the Fans!

Sixteen years. Sixteen glorious years of sweat, sound, and camaraderie.

Day One of SOS Fest 2025 kicked off, and for me, and countless others who make the annual pilgrimage, it felt like coming home.

The familiar rumble of the tram down to Tokyo Whittles in Oldham was just the start of the ritual, building anticipation with every clickety-clack of the tram plodding down the tracks.

Arriving at Tokyo Whittles, the buzz was already palpable. Sun was – thankfully – shining on the outdoor stage area for a little while, and the smell of sizzling food truck mingled with the faint, exciting hum of soundchecks.

The customary pilgrimage to the bar quickly followed; you can't truly usher in SOS Fest without partaking in the usual round of jager-bomb shots (I blame Graham Horne!). With spirits (both literal and metaphorical) suitably elevated, we navigated the bustling crowd, securing a prime vantage point with an excellent, unobstructed view of the stage.

The energy was electric as the festival officially swung open its doors for the first of three days of pure sonic assault. And what a start it was!

The air crackled with anticipation as the opening act finished, and then the stage was set for an act we'd all been waiting for: the heavy metal titans, Luke Appleton's Power Trio.

The moment Luke, alongside his formidable rhythm section, stepped out, the crowd erupted. From the first blistering riff that tore through the evening air, you knew this wasn't just a band playing; this was a force of nature.

PHOTO BY - ANDREW JAMES BEARD

Luke Appleton, a maestro of controlled chaos, led the charge with his powerful vocals and intricate, yet crushing, fretwork work. The basslines were thundering, a seismic foundation that vibrated through your very bones, while the drums delivered a relentless, pulverising beat that drove every track forward with furious intent. Their performance was a masterclass in pure, unadulterated heavy metal. They didn't just play their songs; they unleashed them, each one a perfectly crafted explosion of raw energy and precision.

The crowd became a unified entity – a sea of headbanging, fists pumping, and voices roaring along to every chorus. Luke Appleton's Power Trio truly lived up to the hype, delivering that promised 'blowing the roof off' performance.

It wasn't just loud; it was immersive. You felt every note, every beat, every ounce of passion poured into their set.

They set an incredibly high bar for the rest of the festival, dominating the outdoor stage with an effortless mastery that left everyone craving more.

As the final chords reverberated through the afternoon, leaving a ringing in our ears and a grin on our faces, it was clear: Day One for this band of SOS Fest 2025 was nothing short of spectacular.

Another band of the day for me was Doomsday Outlaw!

From the moment powerhouse frontman Phil "The Maestro" stalked onto the stage, mic in hand, flanked by the blistering guitar wizardry and the thunderous rhythm section on bass and the thunder god behind the drum kit, the energy was palpable.

Kicking off their set at the festival the band wasted no time with no warm-up needed and no polite introductions – just a pure, visceral hit of high-octane rock.

Phil was a force of nature, his impressive vocals filling the night sky, effortlessly shifting from a bluesy swagger to soaring, anthemic cries that had the entire audience singing along. His stage presence was magnetic, a captivating blend of old-school showmanship and genuine passion that drew every eye.

PHOTO BY ANDREW JAMES BEARD

He stalked the stage, connected with individual fans, and had the entire field in the palm of his hand. Meanwhile, the man the myth the legend behind the guitar proved exactly why he's earned his reputation. His fingers danced across the fretboard, delivering blistering solos that sliced through the night with surgical precision, yet always serving the song. His playing was both technically brilliant and emotionally resonant, a true masterclass in shred and soul.

The backbone of Doomsday Outlaw's monstrous sound was the relentless rhythm section. And i just when i thought you couldn't get more crunch than my mate Grahams discarded unsightly socks that i found under the pillow in his bed, this bands bass lines blew me out of the water with a crunchy pulse that would knock your socks off, deep and resonant, while the thunder god drumming was nothing short of seismic. Together, they laid down a groove so solid, so infectious, it was impossible not to move. The mosh pit erupted, a swirling vortex of flailing limbs and joyous abandon, while elsewhere, heads bobbed and fists pumped to every beat. The set was a relentless assault of anthemic choruses, searing guitar solos, and a palpable sense of communal energy

Doomsday Outlaw delivered every track with unflinching conviction. They didn't just perform their songs; they embodied them, sweating out every note, every chord, every beat.

From the jager-bombs to the soul-stirring riffs, it was everything a metalhead could wish for to kick off a weekend of glorious noise.

With two more days of incredible bands lined up, the bar has been set incredibly high, but if the opening salvo from Luke Appleton's Power Trio to Doomsday outlaws Riffs is any indication, we're in for an unforgettable festival. Bring on Day Two!