There's a buzzing atmosphere in the Birmingham Academy as the venue hosts probably THE metal tour of the year. Trivium return with three support bands each on the cusp of achieving breakout success. This is the tour showcases what is relevant in metal, 2018, though it would be remiss to ignore the influence of hardcore punk in these upstarts.
Seeing Venom Prison (8) at bloodstock was a decent first impression, but indoors the band sound absolutely colossal. Vocalist Larissa Stupar is on top form vocally with screams connecting emotionally, growling and swaying as if possessed entirely by their wall of abrasive noise and vengeful atmosphere. With pit-starters like 'Perpetrator Emasculation' and the conviction on display on this opening performance, they certainly win some new fans over.
Power Trip (7) can't match them in atmosphere, but when it comes to raw thrashing and chunky riffing, not a band comes close to their level of expertise. It takes the audience longer to warm to them but with the band can't be faulted when they deliver thrash perfection with 'Soul Sacrifice' and 'Executioners Tax'.
The giant bassist launches directly into the audience on the opening moment of Code Oranges show (9), setting the violent tone immediately. A hardcore band through and through, they are at odds with a divided audience who want to mosh without a flail or a spin-kick to the jaw. But they don't give a fuck. They just bulldoze through playing for their lives, not a single moment where their intensity and passion lets down, even for a second. 'Bleeding The Blur's irresistible hooks surprise the audience, and 'Forever' turns the floor into a frenzied war zone, I would advise bringing a gum-shield if your brave or stupid enough to enter the pit. While the band will continue to fit uneasily among metal fans, there has been no other band that earns this much of a violent, malevolent reputation since Slipknot.
Afterwards it threatened like Trivium (10) are the dessert, not the main course for tonight but I'm glad to stand corrected. The whole room explodes to opener 'Sin And The Sentence' and the rapport between band and audience never lets up. It's obvious Trivium have a special connection with the UK since the days of Ascendancy, and while we are treated to deep cuts like 'Like Light To The Flies', the reaction to their new material reminded me of seeing Machine Head on their 'Blackening' tour - the special feeling that you are seeing a band at the very top of their game. Trivium deliver anthem after anthem looking like they are having the time of their lives hearing mass sing-alongs, even to their iconic riffs! 'Heart From Your Hate' gets everyone jumping, 'Pull harder On The Strings Of Your Martyr' incited a circle pit threatening the edges of the venue and second-encore 'In Waves'ends Trivium's headlining marathon in crushing style, the band prove themselves as modern greats of this genre. After such an incredible performance and a stellar line-up, everyone leaves the venue in a state of euphoria.
- Michael Randall
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