Live Review: Defenders of the Faith
O2 Academy – 7th December
A Heavy Metal feast as the Metal Hammer sponsored Defenders of the Faith tour arrived in Newcastle for its penultimate date.
In its third incarnation and featuring metals brightest hopes for the future along with some well established acts it was set to be a heavy night. Known for helping propel new, young bands up the ranks (previous editions have included Opeth, Lamb of God and Five Finger Death Punch), the bands on show were sure to give it their all.
First up were little known Norwegian quartet Insense. Endorsed by none other than In Flames, their hardcore meets tech-metal went down well with those who managed to get in straight away to watch their short and simple set.
The only British band on the bill, Rise to Remain, unleashed an energy driven performance that demonstrated why they’re up there leading the scene of new British metal bands. Their bassist and singer Austin Dickinson didn’t stop for breath, and Austin’s rapid switches from clean to harsh vocals was mightily impressive. The mass ‘arms round the people standing next to you’ head banging they achieved in their final song showed how greatly the crowd endorsed them.
Swedish cult rockers Ghost provided quite a different atmosphere. Coming onstage in their trademark black robes with their faces covered, and the singer’s corpse paint/Pope hat combination left most of the crowd bewildered. Their mix of black metal and psychedelic rock truly has to be seen to be understood, and even then it takes some getting round. Nevertheless the well crafted songs and atmospheric performance won them a few new fans even if half the audience sadly seemed uninterested.
Fellow Swedes In Flames could arguably have headlined this tour, but being the main support meant they put more effort into their condensed set. They played mostly material from this year’s album Sounds of a Playground Fading which was understandable and the shorter set also meant less in between banter. Although there was time to give a pillow to a Trivium fan leaning on the front barrier, obviously unaware of respecting your elders. The songs were tight, the set was practically flawless, and hopeful cries of ‘In Flames’ at the end meant they’d left their mark.
Finally it was the headliners Trivium’s turn. With the back drop new album In Waves’ cover, they burst onstage into a triple header, starting with the title track and ending with ‘Drowned and Torn Asunder’ and the fast pace continued throughout. Having released 5 albums in their existence, the set wasn’t exactly a fair reflection, with nothing from Ember to Inferno or The Crusade being played. But there were few complaints as this meant more from their stronger albums Ascendency, Shogun and In Waves.
A wonderful rare, rendition of ‘Departure’ was a highlight, dedicated to the fact that Trivium’s only gold record is in. The majority of the set was nigh on perfect, ignoring the slight wobble on ‘Pull Harder On the Strings Of Your Martyr’ when some out of time drumming had to be rescued by Austin Dickinson joining them onstage. Otherwise Trivium demonstrated why and how the metal scene keeps rumbling on; great songs, all out performances and dedicated fans.
