Those who had bought tickets to see American metallers Lamb Of God co-headline with Sweds Meshuggah did not have to think twice about their purchase as this special night could have been gig contender of the year in the metal sphere.
A sea of black t-shirts swarmed into Metro City nightclub in Perth with haste to catch progressive metallers Meshuggah since there was no local support slot.
As soon as Tomas Haake presented himself behind his drum kit, the blinding spectacle of strobe lights began as the rest of the band ensued.
The strobe bonanza continued as the Swedes broke into ‘Swarm’, a technical bass-dropping track which urged metal horns in the air. Meshuggah alternated their setlist between tracks from Obzen and their most recent record Koloss.
The acoustics in Metro City were perfect and gave the band all the glory they deserved. In tracks like ‘Lethargica’ and ‘Do Not Look Down’, Jens Kidman’s vocal roar was amplified throughout the venue with tremendous power.
Kidman thanked Perth for their reception after a decent hour into their performance and still provided an extra three songs or so before winding up their set. It was certainly refreshing to see an opening band play for that length, co-headliner or not.
Meshuggah definitely received the reception they deserved, given their musical history and world-recognised calibre.
Few people dispersed from the mosh pit to get drinks and regroup after Meshuggah’s monstrous set, whilst others were strategically planning their ideal position for the headline performance.
As the Swedes’ banners disappeared, the almighty Lamb of God backdrop appeared which excited the crowd in preparation for the set.
The lights ceased. The band entered on stage one by one to a slow instrumental until the recognisable ‘Desolation’ intro started – off their latest release Resolution. The pushing, shoving and moshing had already begun before vocalist Randy Blythe even presented himself. When he did though, the crowd roared for Lamb Of God.
“Look at you beautiful bogans” – Blythe identifies with the crowd colloquially.
Blythe appeared full with energy, as did Willie Adler and Mark Morton who stood on opposite ends of the stage humbly tearing their guitars a new one.
The American metallers delivered a well-designed setlist which leapt between albums in a way that surprised punters each and every time. Obviously tracks like ‘Walk With Me In Hell’ and ‘Set to Fail’ were crowd favourites with the hooks, signature style and aggressive aesthetic.
As usual, the metal culture was vibrant and any man who fell over in the pit was swiftly lifted to his feet.
The band left the stage a number of times, leaving Blythe to engage with the crowd – a past-time which the vocalist is talented at. “Now that the trial is behind us” – he mentions, [as the crowd screams], “we can party extra hard.”
Lamb of God’s long awaited return to Australian shores proved worthy of anticipation. The performance was cathartic to fans who had followed the trial and to those who simply wanted to let off some steam.
“Until next time, Perth” – Blythe farewelled.
Meshuggah Setlist
Swarm
Combustion
Rational Gaze
obZen
Lethargica
Do Not Look Down
The Hurt that Finds You First
I Am Colossus
Bleed
Demiurge
New Millennium Cyanide Christ
[Mind’s Mirrors]
In Death – Is Life
In Death – Is Death
Lamb Of God Setlist
Desolation
Ghost Walking
Walk with Me in Hell
Set to Fail
Ruin
Now You’ve Got Something to Die For
11th Hour
The Undertow
Omerta
Contractor
Encore:
The Passing
Laid to Rest
Redneck
Black Label
