Roseland ballroom was litered in a sea of black band tshirts on Friday November 16th. Bodies flooded the carpeted floor of this venue with their horns out and voices raised for the thrashing that was about to infest their ears. Merchandise booths packed with fans trying to add to their intimate collection of metal paraphernalia, bartenders slinging Bud Light’s for a heightened sense of music listening, and the speedy inhalation of cigarette smoke before the show only meant one thing. Lamb of God had returned to New York City, and New York City was ready for them.
Opening the show in a thrash fashion Sylosis took the stage. This British metal band from Berkshire is in the works of releasing their 3rd full length album and was picked up by Lamb of God as an opener after a lot of replacement band member controversy. Fleeting members left the band with their lead guitarist playing front man, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. John Middleton, wielding his guitar, took the mic and jump started the crowd in a powerful way. A perfect opening performance of metal. Accompanied by Alex Bailey on rhythm guitar, Carl Parnell on bass and Rob Callard besting the drums, the band delivered a hard performance that was noteworthy and definitely gave them positive exposure in New York.
Sylosis: Alex Bailey, John Middleton, Carl Parnell
Hatebreed was the second act to come out. They have an amazing fan base in New York City. This writer is thrilled to say that the crowd for this show was a much younger crowd than was expected. This is awesome because it means that metal is igniting the love for music in youth and will be alive and kicking for quite some time. The Connecticut based Grammy-nominated metal band has been around since 1994. After a recent controversy with CNN incorrectly labeling the band as a white supremacists act during the Wisconsin Sikh temple shooting, the band has been touring and working on a 6th full length album release, set to air in January 2013.
Hatebreed
This band always puts on a crazy, high energy show. Their performance is always something to write home about. Especially when they play in the North East. Their set was nothing short of amazing, full of crowd surfing and moshing. No one died, so we’ll call it a success.
Swedish melodic metal band In Flameswas the next on the line up. I was a little confused of their placement in this show considering they are more of an alternative metal band. However, the second that they took the stage their purpose was clear. The lead singer Anders Fridén has tremendous stage presence and they have quite a following. This band has been around since 1990 and have made a serious name for themselves, winning many awards overseas and touring with some big names such as Killswitch Engage, Megadeth and Children of Bodem.
Anders Fridén
Finally, the reason why so many of us gathered this venue. The sound the spread within the walls as the final band took the stage was more deafening than any of the music we had heard the entire night… it was time, Lamb of God. In the wake of lead singer Randy Blythe having been reprimanded in by Czech police in June, there has been a lot of controversy around this band and their previously cancelled tour. Rest assured fans that they are back and their performance takes the form of the most brutal apology for cancellation that you have ever heard. They we’re phenomenal. Beyond phenomenal. After their recent loss of a Grammy to Judas Priest, Lamb of God has recently released a new album and that is what they are currently touring, Resolution. Being XM radio’s most spun metal album in the past weeks, they are proud sponsors of this tour. After 20 years of being involved in this scene, it’s safe to say that Lamb of God knows exactly what they are doing. From knowing exactly which bands to pick up to compliment them, to the heart wrenched, chaotic performance that they give. They even took a minute out of their set to indulge their never changing love for performing in New York. Proudly stating, “We love you New York, there’s nothing like you guys.”
Same to you boys, same to you.
