LAMB OF GOD + TRIVIUM

Sydney came ready to throw down on Friday night! From the moment Scottish metalcore outfit Bleed From Within hit the stage, it was obvious this wasn’t going to be one of those crowds that needed warming up. The floor was already packed, the pit was shoulder-to-shoulder with photographers, and security looked like they knew they were in for a long evening of catching bodies over the barrier.

Reports suggest the medics doubled down on Weetbix that morning. Well deserved, judging by the conga line of smiling fans lining up to get their owchies patched up before charging straight back into the action.

This was a Lamb of God x Trivium double bill and Sydney wasn’t there to have cough “carnal relations” with spiders, that’s for sure!!

Bleed From Within wasted little time getting things moving. Their huge, groove-laden metalcore sound bounced around the Hordern as circle pits opened almost immediately. At one point proceedings briefly paused for a medical emergency, which was dealt with swiftly and professionally by all involved. Those in the know must have been quietly crossing their fingers that it wouldn’t be a repeat of 2012, when a serious injury brought a Lamb of God set in Sydney to an abrupt and early conclusion.

Thankfully things were soon back on track. The injured party was safely in the hands of medics and heading to the medical bay to the sound of a huge cheer from the crowd. The Glaswegians continued their march toward what felt like the support set of the year, restarting with the awesome “God Complex” and concluding with “In Place of Your Halo”.

By the time Trivium emerged, the energy inside the venue had somehow reached another level.

The Florida veterans have visited Australia so many times they may as well be considered naturalised citizens. Frontman (martial arts guru and ultimate foodie!) Matt Heafy seemed genuinely thrilled to be back, shouting, “So I think it might be our 15th, maybe 16th time touring this beautiful country since 2005. It’s great to be back!” And if Melbourne had been the wildest crowd of the tour so far, as he suggested with a wink, Sydney took that as a direct challenge.

What followed was a masterclass in modern metal showmanship. Heafy remains one of the most charismatic frontmen in heavy music, effortlessly switching between crushing vocals, massive riffs and engaging banter. Fans loved hearing new release “Dead Inside of Me” from upcoming album Crown In The Grave (set your alarms for 20 November!). It sat comfortably alongside fan favourites including “The Sin and the Sentence”, “Vengeance Falls” and “The Heart From Your Hate”.

The entire pavilion seemed to sing every word back at the band. Highlights came thick and fast, but the sight of fans instantly dropping into a Viking row during the opening chaos of “In Waves” probably takes home the gold.

Then came Lamb of God. The stage first disappeared behind a giant black sheet bearing nothing but the band’s name in huge white lettering. As it crashed dramatically to the floor, they emerged loud and growling through thick clouds of smoke to a hero’s welcome from the sold-out crowd. At times the haze was so dense it looked like somebody had accidentally set the smoke machine to maximum and then wandered off for a beer. Nothing was going to stop Randy Blythe commanding the stage, though. “Thank you, Sydney! We’ve returned to fuck this place up!!” Blythe’s off-the-cuff humour only strengthened the connection with the crowd, including a passionate declaration of affection for Sydney seafood. “Have you guys tried Pipis? This song goes out to all you clam lovin’ muthaf$ckers out there!”

During the set, crowd surfers appeared in a near constant stream over the barricade. Revellers returned straight back to the floor and into the circle pits – the energy was palpable. And amongst it all something incredibly wholesome was happening too. Between the chaos were young metalheads perched on parents’ shoulders wearing oversized ear defenders, arms raised and soaking in every moment. It’s one of the great things about modern metal crowds! absolute mayhem existing side by side with genuine care for one another.

The set list was perfection with “Now You’ve Got Something to Die For” triggering one of the loudest responses of the night along with “Walk With Me In Hell” landing with all the weight and power you’d expect.

The band closed with the slow, crushing weight of “Sepsis” before finishing on “Redneck”. As the house lights came up, they illuminated sweaty, exhausted, smiling fans slowly making their way towards the exits sifting through beer can debris looking for picks and drumsticks. Long after the final notes faded and the smoke cleared, the buzz remained.