40,000 Leagues

Twin guitar harmonies, lyrics of leviathan proportions and an astute balance of heavy riffs and heartfelt choruses: Manchester’s 40,000 Leagues encompass the finest hallmarks classic metal.

The band developed their sound over a string of well received singles including The Dragon Will Rise, Reflections, Reaper, Control and a cover of Chaka Khan's Ain't Nobody. With the release of The Architect, the quintet is at the peak of their powers, with neck-snapping metalcore riffs, huge, rasping vocals and sumptuous lead guitars.

Regulars on stages and festivals across the UK, they’ve shared stages with the likes of Evile, Florence Black, RED, Bokassa, Keith Wallen (of Breaking Benjamin), Absolva, The Fallen State, Countless Skies, Fury, and King Kraken, amongst many others. They tread the fine line between stadium metalcore sensibilities and progressive inflections - with a hint of power metal in there too.

40,000 Leagues are no strangers to the festival scene either, having played at: SOS Festival, Rabidfest, Breaking Bands Festival, Summer Slammer in Manchester, as well as reaching the Manchester M2TM finals twice and being the guest headliners for Satan's Hollow Battle Of The Bands.

The band recently played a sold-out headline show in Manchester with support from Earthbound and Vanitas, packed out shows at SOS Festival and Slammer Manchester 2025, and, were the main support for Blaze Bayley at The Parish in Huddersfield.

Later this year 40,000 Leagues will be playing at Manchester Academy supporting Absolva. They will also be headlining their own Manchester Academy show next March.

The band are currently in the studio recording tracks for their debut album, Voyage.

The latest 40,000 leagues single, The Architect, which was released in 2025, is now available to stream and you can watch the music video below.

DJ Vapour (Metal Noise) 2025 -
One of Manchester’s very own, Progressive Metalcore act 40,000 Leagues set Rebellion ablaze with their Trivium like twin guitar harmonies and anthemic choruses, not settling for anything less than epic proportions. The raspy clean vocals from Nathan ‘Nips’ Crossdale mean “The Dragon Will Rise” is a masterclass and tonight is a triumphant home town show. Like Vanitas before them, there is no doubt they should be gracing bigger stages than this.

https://metalnoise.net/2025/11/live-reviews-slammer-mcr-2025-sunday

Oli Gonzalez (Ever Metal) 2025 -
“40K! 40K! 40K!”Ever popular in these parts and mainstays in the Manchester scene, 40,000 Leagues were chosen as headliners for the evening. The progressive metal band had and always will have a phenomenal frontman in Nathan Crossdale. How did he engage a fatigued crowd? A blast of pop songs regenerated into metal covers, of course.

The band’s cover of ‘Ain’t Nobody’ shouldn’t work as a metal song and you supposedly shouldn’t see a crowd at a metal gig dance and sing along to this. But this is an ode to 40,000 League’s creative genius as this is exactly what we saw! A more than welcome injection of energy into the evening.

https://allabouttherock.co.uk/metal-2-the-masses-manchester-quarter-final-1-manchester-16032025/

Julia Brunton (Live From The Pit) 2025:
"40,000 Leagues are textbook metalcore - shredding guitars and hardcore vocals ringing out and gorgeous half-time breakdowns restoring the energy of the crowd as the pit reignited.

The last few songs of their set included covers, with a cover of Chaka Khan and Rufus’ Ain’t Nobody being a highlight before the set closed out."

https://www.outofrage.net/post/live-from-the-pit-metal-to-the-masses-manchester-quarter-finals-1

Anselm Anderson (Rambling Man Reviews) 2024 -
"The Dragon Will Rise" immediately grabs attention with its powerful, melodic synth intro, resembling a true European metal track. Nathan Crossdale's vocals emerge over twinkling keys and forceful drum kicks, showcasing his impressive vocal range. The momentum builds through searing guitar harmonies, before exploding into a catchy chorus. The band sing with passion and joy, which comes across on the track.

The song writing and riffs resemble Trivium or Avenged Sevenfold if they decided to go full-on Battle metal.

https://anselmanderson.blogspot.com/2024/08/song-of-day40000-leagues-dragon-will.html?spref=tw

Oli Gonzalez (Ever Metal) 2024 -
“40K! 40K! 40K!”. Clear crowd favourites and fitting headliners for the evening, especially with how many were singing their hearts out to their original tracks. Is there a better compliment for an artist? A solid headline show, and truly earned.

https://www.ever-metal.com/2024/01/29/40000-leagues-prognosis-technologist-nameless-live/

Rob Sutton (Ever Metal) 2023 -
This is a belter of a set and once again 40,000 Leagues have blown me away! They are stupidly good and probably the best opening band I have seen all year!

https://www.ever-metal.com/2023/12/15/chuggaboom-karmas-puppet-unknown-refuge-40000-leagues/

Rob Sutton (Ever Metal) 2023 -
The guitar work is absolutely on point with the solos being a real highlight. Their crossover from old school metal with the newer feel of metalcore works perfectly with the vocal range being another highlight of this performance. Definitely some of the best clean vocals I’ve heard in this competition.

https://www.ever-metal.com/2023/02/27/m2tm-manchester-2023-heat-6/

William Maudsley (Hardbeat - Unleashing The Underground) 2023 -
The dual guitar work topped with their signature soaring vocals keep the energy rising throughout. And even after the past few sets the crowd are still in full swing throughout with a constant stream of crowd surfers helping to bring the competition to a close in style.

https://hardbeat.co.uk/2023/06/07/live-review-m2tm-manchester-2023-grand-final-rebellion-manchester-20-05-23/

Rob Sutton (Ever Metal) 2021 -
The whole band oozes with charisma on stage and are very engaging to watch. Vocally, Nathan’s voice was absolutely on point again, in fact I would say here it was the best I have heard it.

https://www.ever-metal.com/2021/12/24/badgerfest-promotions-presents-badger-the-mushrooms-christmas-all-dayer-rebellion-manchester-11-12-21/

Rich Price (Ghost Cult Magazine) 2019 -
Opening up the Friday evening were 40,000 Leagues who set the bar HIGH with a fantastic performance, It was clear everyone involved was having fun right from the start.

https://ghostcultmag.com/festival-review-badgerfest-2019-live-at-the-breadshed-manchester/