Scar The Martyr, Manchester 14.12.13

As with most supergroups, Scar The Martyr would always be hit-and-miss. This was the second supergroup I've seen, after Axewound, and there is most certainly a visible trend of people going simply to see the members that make up the band. 

However, it most certainly doesn't mean that the content being played wasn't inadequate, or at least dance-worthy.

With great support sets from 'The Hell', they chants of 'Joey' really brought to light who the majority of the people in the 200 > venue were there to see, and Joey Jordison (who happened to leave Slipknot the night previous to the gig) proved why his reputation deserves to be one of the highest for his profession.

Playing their self-titled album in full,  Scar The Martyr were alright, not bad, not brilliant. Normally you could render comparatives from previous concerts a band plays, but as this was their first UK tour and literally their second show in the country- little was known on what to expect from them.

Nevertheless though, I can confidently speak on behalf of the crowd in Manchester when I say they have our repeat purchase confirmed have they happened to be touring again. Great band, great idea, possibly bright future ahead- watch out!

Papa Roach, Manchester, 05.12.13

Straight back from throat surgery, Jacoby brings the 'Silence Is The Enemy' tour. Quite possiby the perfect way to celebrate his voice being better than ever, that, and the fact Papa Roach entered its 20th year in 2013. The fans knew they were in for a treat.

Texan band American Fangs, who are making their UK debut, kicked off the show, met with an excited response from the crowd. As the band fed rock song after rock song to Manchester, American Fangs, who is obviously heavily influenced by Papa Roach in their music, came to an end. Their closure met by a thunderous, welcoming roar.

Middle Class Rut started slow, however, and compared to their predecessor, weren't as energetic. It was evidently shown by the crowd response, where the method of stop and stare was more popular than the alternative of dancing along. I couldn't help but feel that maybe the positioning of the starter bands could've been different, and maybe a better crowd response would've been gained from this. However, the band delivered a smooth, rock groove which has to be appreciated.

Then the lights went down, the imminent arrival of Papa Roach made the crowd produce a deafening roar.

Sending the crowd into a crazed frezy from the off, Papa Roach hit the stage. picking songs from there huge catalogue of fan-favourites, it's safe to say they picked well. Each song was met with an equal, estatic reaction and this was displayed through how the crowd acted, and they were insanely enthusiastic.

Jacoby is most certainly a natural performer, shaking the hand of every crowd-surfer who was being hauled off to the side by security, whilst jumping around, persuading the crowd to follow suit. It leaves the viewer to wonder where he gets all his energy from, as it's seemingly unlimited.

Bodies climbed others, vocals were sore, mosh pits were seemingly never-ending and the whole place was bouncing furiously from front to back. It was a fantastic sight to see a band enjoy themselves as much as the crowd did too.

Papa Roach are definitely a band that'll always be welcome back to the UK, not that their presence will ever really leave in the first place.

Avenged Sevenfold, Manchester, 30.11.13

The self proclaimed 'leaders of this eras heavy metal scene' proved quite simply why they aren't wrong. Upon returning to the UK after almost 3 years away and even smashing the no.1 spot in the charts here, the anticipation couldn't be higher and the fans couldn't be more excited.

The supporting acts, I thought, were brilliant for their role- warming the crowd up for the band that comes on next. Swedish metallers, Avatar, who replaced Device (as their lead singer, David Draiman, was looking after his newly born child) were good, especially for a band most of the crowd hadn't heard of, producing songs of a Rob Zombie/Rammstein-esque fashion.

Then they came. Jumping straight into 'Under And Over It', the ear-deafening chant of 'Death Punch' from the crowd let you know how warm the welcome was for arguably the hottest band going at this moment- Five Finger Death Punch. The first example of crowd participation was evident here, and how could it not be? Ivan Moody's charisma could get even the most antisocial person crowd-surfing or singing at the top of their lungs. This continued throughout their set, even through the first half of 'Far From Home', where the soft, melodic side to 5FDP didn't stop fans from lifting up their lighters, phones and singing along enthusiastically. Utter brilliance from a band who could easily have headlined the evening.

Getting straight to the point, the headliners got off to an explosive start, literally. The opening to 'Shepherd Of Fire' had pyrotechnics and explosives set to erupt in-sync with the music, immediately setting a theatrical theme to the show, which would remain throughout.

Although it may be argued that the Californian quintet didn't play their 'greatest hits', they astounded all regardless. Primarily focusing on songs from their new album (as it was the 'Hail To The King' tour) they didn't refrain from skipping back through the eras, treating the crowd to songs from Nightmare, concluding the show with songs from Waking The Fallen.

The newly-crowned Download 2014 headliners are bigger, better and more unstoppable than they've ever been before. As Matt Shadows said, they're carrying the torch for heavy metal, and it's hard to see an end to their reign in sight.

Crossfaith - Apocalyze.

Utter brilliance from the world's fastest-growing band. Crossfaith have ultimately proved that there's a gap in the metal-market for electro/Japanese/metalcore and are finally getting the recognition they deserve with their newest album, Apocalyze. Crossfaith brand themselves as potential stars with tracks like 'Eclipse' and 'We Are The Future' proving that metalcore, dubstep and electro can be infused into one genre- and well.

Look out for Crossfaith in the future, they'll be big.

Crown The Empire + Issues, Gorilla, 19/09/2013

I bought tickets without any *real* idea about both bands, but the deeper I delve, the more I became enticed.

The venue was unusual, but brilliant. Gorilla replaced NQ Live as the venue, as NQ Live sadly burnt down- and I was skeptical that Gorilla could live up to the reputation NQ live had so rightly acquired, but I couldn't have been more wrong. 

From the very start, Crown The Empire had the place jumping and singing, hitting the crowd hard with 7 of their best songs. Songs like 'Memories Of A Broken Heart' and 'Makeshift Chemistry' being among fan favourites.

Issues were suffice, from what I could tell. They were perceived to be the 'marmite' of the night's entertainment, you either loved them or you didn't- there wasn't much in between and it unfortunately split the crowd. However, it didn't mean they weren't good at filling the crowd with energy, which they did with stellar competence. 

With help from strobe lighting and smoke machines, a surreal atmosphere was delivered to the crowd. An excellent end to an excellent night.

Paramore, Manchester Arena, 20/09/2013.

Paramore have been a favourite of mine for sometime now- I'd even go as far as to say they got me into the music I enjoy today. I couldn't pass up an opportunity to see them whatsoever.

Paramore celebrated their highly anticipated return to the UK with a stunning performance, "it's been a long, difficult time for us. We thought we'd lost something within ourselves which we never thought we'd get back. But that just goes to show, we didn't give up, and we pulled through. The same goes to you guys in the audience" Hayley explained, met with a huge, emotional cheer.

They then barraged the audience with 21  songs, old and new- of which the crowd sang along to their upmost, even matched with dancing when Hayley enthused it. 

The feel-good vibe the band gave off evidently got shared with the crowd, as everyone came together to create something memorable. Hayley even joked "I don't know what's going on in Manchester tonight, but it can't be as good as this."

Although it seemed the older songs were met with a better reception, one thing is for definite; Paramore are back.