 |
| Image by FastDecals.com |
Temperatures once again soared across Britain yesterday and
so the mass of sweat drenched bodies seen leaving the Engine Rooms would’ve
been forgiven for their state. However, the heat is only a miniscule reason for
the motley, dishevelled crew who made their way home. Soilwork and Arch Enemy
had provided them with an unforgettable evening and I for one was still picking
my jaw up from the floor long after the last lick of guitar had left the stage.
Arriving in time to see Soilwork start their set was a stroke
of luck and slightly baffling, main support starting before 8pm? What’s going
on here then? Could this mean an early curfew and therefore an earlier time for
a less than spring chicken Dave to be tucked up in his bed, that would be
glorious!
Soilwork are an awesome live band who really throw their all into what they do. “Stabbing The Drama” is still one of my favourite songs and seeing them close on that was special for me. The rest of their set was packed full of the ferocious melodic death metal that their fans have loved from the second these Swedes plugged in the amps back in 1995. The heat inside the venue did seem to be holding the crowd back from really letting themselves go, that was until frontman Björn "Speed" Strid asked, in the politest way I have ever seen at a metal gig, for a massive circle pit before they ripped into “Tongue”. This got the crowd whipped into a frenzy and they offered a response to the energy being dispensed from the stage. This carried into the next song “Overload” which turned the Engine Rooms into a bounce-fest!
Soilwork are an awesome live band who really throw their all into what they do. “Stabbing The Drama” is still one of my favourite songs and seeing them close on that was special for me. The rest of their set was packed full of the ferocious melodic death metal that their fans have loved from the second these Swedes plugged in the amps back in 1995. The heat inside the venue did seem to be holding the crowd back from really letting themselves go, that was until frontman Björn "Speed" Strid asked, in the politest way I have ever seen at a metal gig, for a massive circle pit before they ripped into “Tongue”. This got the crowd whipped into a frenzy and they offered a response to the energy being dispensed from the stage. This carried into the next song “Overload” which turned the Engine Rooms into a bounce-fest!
Escaping outside for some fresh and (slightly) cooler air I
really started to get excited. I have never seen Arch Enemy put on a bad set
when I have seen them in support slots or on festival bills, but this was their
own headline show, something I have wanted to see for many years.
The entrance instrumental “Khaos Overture” gave me
goosebumps and I had a feeling that this was going to be special. As soon as
“Yesterday Is Dead And Gone” erupted from the stage until “Nemesis” faded from
the speakers, there was nothing but ‘Pure Fucking Metal’ belted from Alissa
White-Gluz and the band. Speaking of Alissa, Arch Enemy have definitely found
the perfect replacement for Angela Gossow in her. Guttural, growling vocals and
a superb stage presence that allows her to instantly control the crowd. Not to
mention the dazzling blue-green hair that is whipped around like a colourful
tornado.
This set was, for me, almost perfect. No room for “Rise Of The Tyrant” or “Leader Of The Rats”, however that takes nothing away from a list of songs that went from belter to belter without leaving the crowd a second to recover before the next was brutally ejected from the stage. Listening through the set as I write this I am constantly stopping and just disappearing into the memories from the gig. The run into the encore of “No Gods, No Masters”, “Dead Bury Their Dead” & “We Will Rise” is just a thing of beauty! And, as my friend I attended the gig with pointed out, Arch Enemy are very good at writing lyrics that would be amazing if added to a tattoo design you had, if you’re into tattoos of course. Chants of ‘Arch Enemy’ rang out from the crowd until the band re-emerged to huge cheers as if they were taking their place atop the Olympics podium, which is one way to describe how incredible they were last night. Ripping into “Blood On Your Hands” tore away any residual energy had been built up in the crowd whilst the band were off stage. Leading into an elongated version of “Snow Bound” as the bridge between the last two songs provided the guitarists the opportunity to show off their skills, and what skills those are! Knowing there was only one song left I was glancing at the clock to see whether the earlier train would be a possibility, and it was, until “Nemesis” rose up in a fury on the stage. There was no way I was going to be leaving until this gig was put to bed.
This set was, for me, almost perfect. No room for “Rise Of The Tyrant” or “Leader Of The Rats”, however that takes nothing away from a list of songs that went from belter to belter without leaving the crowd a second to recover before the next was brutally ejected from the stage. Listening through the set as I write this I am constantly stopping and just disappearing into the memories from the gig. The run into the encore of “No Gods, No Masters”, “Dead Bury Their Dead” & “We Will Rise” is just a thing of beauty! And, as my friend I attended the gig with pointed out, Arch Enemy are very good at writing lyrics that would be amazing if added to a tattoo design you had, if you’re into tattoos of course. Chants of ‘Arch Enemy’ rang out from the crowd until the band re-emerged to huge cheers as if they were taking their place atop the Olympics podium, which is one way to describe how incredible they were last night. Ripping into “Blood On Your Hands” tore away any residual energy had been built up in the crowd whilst the band were off stage. Leading into an elongated version of “Snow Bound” as the bridge between the last two songs provided the guitarists the opportunity to show off their skills, and what skills those are! Knowing there was only one song left I was glancing at the clock to see whether the earlier train would be a possibility, and it was, until “Nemesis” rose up in a fury on the stage. There was no way I was going to be leaving until this gig was put to bed.
To put it simply, Arch Enemy were jaw-droppingly,
face-meltingly, downright superb. There is nothing I could say about that gig
that would do it true justice. On the walk away from the venue, still in
complete shock & awe, the only word that I could utter was…..fuck.
One of the key components of the mortgage broker Rayleigh job is to effectively manage research that lenders have already developed.
ReplyDeleteThese two requirements ensure that mortgage brokers have the required licenses and certifications to sell mortgage products. Mortgage brokers can also help you find the right mortgage for your needs. Author is an expert of mortgage companies in colorado, click here for more interesting information.
ReplyDelete