By DJ Astrocreep
Another visit across to one of my main gig haunts in Manchester sees me take in a triple header of thrash supremos Municipal Waste and Kreator alongside groove metal veterans Lamb of God. If ever there was a bill that may promise something it will never fulfil to those more god fearing by band name alone, it’s this one. A quick train ride over and it’s time to get it on.
The newcomer of the bunch, given they’ve only been together 22 years this year, Municipal Waste are a band I’ve enjoyed live previously on a few occasions, including as part of my proposal to an ex-fiancée. They still tear through the set as they did those 15 years ago that I first saw them and it’s pleasing to hear some of my old favourites ‘Headbanger Face Rip’ and timeless anthem ‘Born To Party’, complete with obligatory sing along of, “Municipal Waste are gonna FUCK YOU UP”.
The band are on tip top form and the busy crowd are clearly enjoying what they’re throwing down and the set absolutely roars by – so much so that I actually forget to even grab an obligatory photo. Oops!
Kreator get a longer set, timing in at a shade under an hour and it’s great to hear a set that merges a lot of their eras into one cohesive set. From personal favourite ‘Phobia’ through the likes of latest greatest ‘Hate Uber Alles’ – the set opener, no less, they’re on fire right through with a tight set, seeking at each point to fire the crowd up further and further with plenty of circles and mosh pits alike.
The crowd that know them love it – they are clearly completely there for it, and even those that aren’t so familiar with the teutonic thrashers seem to get swept away in the tide, as the loud cheers between songs decry. Yet further proof that Kreator are not mellowing like a good Scotch, instead, still bubbling with the anger and fire they’ve made a trademark of their career.
On to our headliner, then and my GOD are Lamb of God bringing it tonight! It’s very pleasing that, even sat on the balcony, the sound is excellent, as the vibrations just above your head usually mar that aspect of the show in here – a good sign that the tour techs are absolutely on the ball! No noticeable dropped notes means the band are bang on form and frontman Randy is an absolute Energizer bunny – barely ever stopping still long enough to grab a non-blurry image of him! They all move around a decent bit, letting fans get the best glimpse of their music heroes as they can throughout the set and allowing each member to take centre stage in turn. Whilst the guitarists re-tune between songs, Randy takes a few seconds to acknowledge us all, even getting a loud Rick Flair” WOOOOOOOO” at one point, and getting some real love in return.
The crowd are absolutely loving it and the mosh pits breaking out show quite how much so. It’s a very nice surprise to get fan favourites ‘Walk With Me In Hell’ and ‘Now You’ve Got Something To Die For’ inside the first six songs and it was pretty obvious that ‘Redneck’ would be the set closer – though even I didn’t imagine that literally half of the standing area would become one huge mosh pit as it starts! The mixture of new and older tracks is good and the set well thought out, whilst the lighting is used to excellent effect to further enhance each aspect of the live performance.
It’s yet another excellent show from the metal stalwarts, showing there is more than enough life in them yet!
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