After the events that not only rocked the foundations of the world itself but the Metal world in particular on Friday a sense of unity has been rippling throughout the movement itself. Arguably one of the strongest line ups of the year, we bear witness to a new breed of big four. Three of Modern Metal’s heroes of the new world along with the band that inspired them all. Welcome to the Metal event of 2015.
[date]November 14th 2015[/date]
[venue]Wembley Arena[/venue]
[city]London[/city]
[support_bands]Sylosis, Children of Bodom[/support_bands]
As the house lights darken the led backing display shines boldly with the name Sylosis. Having released their brand new album Dormant Heart earlier this year, the record has seen the band go from strength to strength. Opening doors to the masses like tonight’s Wembley. Despite the set time being shorter they make full use of it, ripping through the groove loving “Teras” along with new rhythmic trickster “Mercy”.
Not phased by the larger scale performance and though perhaps beginning as slightly nervous, shake this off once Middleton’s solo’s of “Dormant Heart” have passed by. Sounding better than ever the band finish up their set with the instrumental acrobatics of “Empyreal”. Perhaps Wembley might not be in the band’s headlining sights quite yet, nevertheless the band are making serious waves in the scene seeing them rising fast up the ranks and with a performance like tonight’s and their headstrong attitude there’s little reason to wonder why.
As we say goodbye to our homegrown heroes the winds grow slightly colder as the chaos worshipper burst out onto the stage. With a confidence wielded only by Alexi Laiho, Children of Bodom begin their quarter. Knowing their audience, the band start with Hatebreeder classic “Silent Night, Bodom Night” gripping the punters in an instant. Though keyboardist Janne Wirman might be stationary Laiho cosies up to the player for the unmistakeable unison sections. Gallivanting around the band are perfectly at home in the arena aesthetic. As the sound of police sirens summon the era of Are You Dead Yet? We see the other destructive side of the Bodom coin come to light, known for their fantastic sense of melody the band also have the ability to bring devastating rhythm sections into play and the addition of this track is no exception.
As the light turns a shade of Yellow the Hate Crew Death rollers announce that they shall be performing a track from their brand new album I Worship Chaos. “Morrigan” arrives and the crowd collectively go berserk, the excellent single goes down a treat with fans though it is no match the final blow of “Downfall” as the band bring the metaphorical reaper to the stage. Cutting down the competition tonight proving that though the band might not quite be at the magnitude of headlining Wembley they can create a serious racket.
Lamb of God have been one of the most watched bands the world over. With it largely being make or break for the band after Blythe’s Czech incarceration VII : Sturm Und Drang see’s the band potentially on their best form ever. Bursting out onto the stage the band invite us to “Walk With Me In Hell“, as a truly defiant Blythe bursts out onto the stage enrapturing everyone here. Infamous for their fierce live presence and with the curb stomping “Now You’ve Got Something To Die For” being their aperitif for the night, the audience has their work cut out for them.
Comprising of material from almost every release the band interchange between eras of Resolution with a devastating “Ghost Walking” to As The Palaces Burn’s “Ruin” but it’s fan favourites of the brutal Ashes of the Wake era that get the fans truly riled up. With inaugural mafia style introduction of “Omerta” being spoken back to the band at deafening levels the double whammy of “Hourglass” set’s the story straight. However one of the biggest highlights of the band’s set tonight is a poignant moment when Randy addresses the crowd over the incident that has truly affected humanity.
After a blistering “Still Echoes” the band dedicate their iron clad “512” to the people affected by The Bataclan incident. Never has Metal itself been at once so individual in it’s ideology yet unifying in it’s principles. Having the songs profound lyrics of “my hand’s are painted red, my future’s painted black” hurled back at him by the thousands is a strangely vulnerable yet obstinate paradox. Heightened by the context of the previous day the show is absolutely astounding. With their reputation for some of the biggest pits in history the band don’t disappoint tonight launching into finale poignant finale’s of “Vigil” and the devastating “Redneck” temporarily swallowing Wembley’s standing area. With pitch perfect sound coming from all areas of the stage Lamb of God have the make up to truly become legends in the making. Until Donington comes a knocking, which it will, their co-headline performance tonight was nothing short of astonishing.
As no doubt influential as the three previous bands might be the impact that Megadeth has had not only on the scene back in ’86 but on the modern day is felt throughout music’s history. With their ever rotating line up currently consisting of Kiko Loureiro guitarist extraordinaire, previously of Angra fame and Lamb of God’s Chris Adler. After a fantastic introduction the stage is set, the band pull out the big guns opening with “Hangar 18” dispelling any worries about Loureiro’s solo prowess as the man not only pulls them off but adding his own taste into the mix. Cut to the juddering opening of “She Wolf” as the snarky sneer of Mustaine is heard enveloping the Arena tonight. Moving swiftly onto the thrash anthem “Wake Up Dead (Black Friday)” Mustaine, perhaps not known to most suffered and injury leading to having to essentially re-learn guitar itself, proves his musical prowess with the absolutely searing leads.
“Dawn Patrol” returns back to the band’s ’91 classic Rust In Peace era moving into “Poison Was The Cure” with Ellefsson’s bass sounding tougher than ever before Kiko taking center stage for an absolutely fantastic “Tornado Of Souls“. Highlighting no doubt the band’s flair, giving the classic song personality without being selfish.
Announcing that the band will be performing a track that both himself, Ellefsson, Kiko and Chris all wrote together Mustaine introduces the impending doom of “Fatal Illusion“. Proving not only is the song an absolute beast on record but the band can definitely pull it off live. Megadeth can often be a slight mixed bag live, occasionally lack lustre the band are anything but tonight. Interpresed with cuts from cult classic’s starring Dana Carvey and his infamous request of “Got any Megadeth?” the band are firing on all cylinders maintaining the sense of pace for Countdown anthem “Skin O’ My Teeth” after the anthemic “Trust”. Of course not missing out “Symphony of Destruction” With little or no time for an encore Elefsson returns alone performing the bass riffs to end all bass riffs, joined by the band and temporarily a life sized Vic Rattlehead “Peace Sells” is certainly an entertainment highlight.
Once again paying respect to the events of the previous day in a different taste this time Kiko leads the charge with an instrumental rendition of the classic “La Marseillaise” in a fitting tribute to France. Before Mustaine returns on stage for the final blow of “Holy Wars… The Punishment Due” sadly a song twenty four years old still rings just as true as when it was first written. In the light of recent events tonight has reminded everyone exactly what Metal embodies. Questioning, aggressive but most importantly unified, from the farthest reaches of the back to the four men closing the ceremony, everyone in Wembley’s hall was wounded. Tonight is an act of defiance making this not only one of the gig’s of the year but an event that no one inside will ever forget.
