When Nova Twins first burst onto the scene in 2014, no one really knew what to do with them. Fusing guttural growls with electronic beats, the band created a unique sound with their debut self-titled EP, which crossed multiple genres and marked new ground for the metal genre. Their debut album ‘Who Are The Girls?’ garnered attention from critics and peers alike, piquing the ears of Bring Me The Horizon’s Ollie Sykes and even Elton John, landing them support slots with Muse and main stage slots at Download Festival. Since then, Nova Twins have continued to build on their individual sound, and their third album, ‘Parasites and Butterflies’, sees them ascend new heights in a record that is polished but with the raw intensity of their beginnings.
Winding down the EU leg of the tour, we find ourselves in Manchester, with a stacked bill of an all-female lineup. Ages young and old mill about the sticky floors of the O2 Ritz: from veteran rockers cradling beers in patchwork denim jackets; to young girls in too-big band shirts taking in the experience of their first gig, hiding behind their parents.
Up first is Ashaïne White, an artist riding their own wave of hype after an Ivors Academy Rising Star nomination and a debut EP release, ‘Look What You Made Me Do’. It’s a refreshing to start to the night, as she delicately criss-crosses through sounds, blending grunge to dreampop to soul, her voice soft and angelic as it floats around the venue through whirring guitars.
There is a charm about her, track ‘Whole Lotta Me’ is introduced with an urge to oversharers to “go get some therapy please”, whilst later in the set she discusses “slutting” her bandmates out and for the crowd to buy them pints. The shining moment in the set comes in the final track ‘Let Me Down’, where White’s vocals hit new heights akin to those of Kate Bush over a spiralling knot of riffs.
Then it is time for Hot Wax, a band also, like Nova Twins, famed for their live reputation. After the release of their debut album, ‘Hot Shock’, the band has spent the remainder of 2025 touring the length of the UK, and beyond.
They bring their signature disco-punk fusion with explosive ferocity to the tour, a perfect support to the headliners who pioneered ‘twerkle’ pits. They strut about, channelling the egotistical charm of an '80s hair rock band, wielding guitars and getting up close and personal with the audience. But despite their chaotic energy, the band are tight; they blitz through the set, the trio a well-oiled machine that they have spent the past few years building. It may be a school night, but any night is a party when Hot Wax are involved.
Finally: Nova Twins. As the lights dim, cries of excitement bubble from the crowd, voices of a range of ages. The faces at the front row are the same from the first support, dedicated fans committed to snagging the best seat in the house to see their idols. As they rip into third album closer, ‘Black Roses’, the room shakes, the razor-sharp bass reverberating through the floor. Singer Amy Love controls the stage, an arm draped across the mic stand wound with the flowers of their song, gripping the microphone and meeting the crowd with the same intensity they give them. They power through the set, polished and perfected; they are no longer the upcomers but pioneers of a new emerging metal scene. There is a feeling of empowerment throughout the room, as Love stands tall on her stage, commandeering the room as bassist Georgia South is right by her side at the wheel, slapping the bass whilst navigating her sea of pedal boards at her feet, hopscotching her way through the different sounds.
During fan-favourite ‘N.O.V.A’ the crowd let loose, screaming the lyrics back whilst circle pits spin around, a blur of dyed hair and limbs. ‘K.M.B’ is dedicated to “loser ex-boyfriends”, and the crowd nod and cheer, even the ones too young to have experienced this misfortune. ‘Choose Your Fighter’ pays homage to retro video games in its samples, and also to The Prodigy with its industrial sound.
Set closer (or is it?) ‘Hummingbird’ shows the real prowess of the band, Love drops the screams for something softer, but it is still as intense as ever with the swelling basslines that hint at the storm to come. The song broods, teetering into Nova Twins’ abrasive sound before reigning itself in again, until it is let free by Love’s soaring vocals, floating along snare-heavy drums and electric bass. A wall of noise seeps through the room, akin to that of Massive Attack or FKA Twigs. And then it is over, and they sink into the darkness through the velvet curtains as the lights dim.
But they’ve not finished there just yet, after rallying cries of "encore" they appear to finish the job, blasting second album offering ‘Antagonist’ before closing with new album favourites ‘Monsters’ and ‘Glory’. The room shakes, is alive with the shared connection of what we have just witnessed.
It’s rare that you can go to a metal show and the crowd be majority female. Artists like Nova Twins are paving the way for younger generations, pushing the genre and creating a scene that is welcoming and encouraging of all. Gone are the days when young punks only had Courtney Love to look up to - with bands like Nova Twins inspiring the next generation, the future of metal is in good hands.
Kaitlyn Brockley
Images: Kaitlyn Brockley
If you enjoyed reading this article, please consider buying us a coffee. The money from this pot goes towards the ever-increasing yearly costs of running and hosting the site, and our "Writer Of The Month" cash prize.