It’s always such an amazing atmosphere at a show like this
with my view from the photo pit. The security guards in good spirit as they
engage in banter with the photographers, and pass cups of water to the thirsty
front barrier clingers; which by this point looking rather red faced from
Trivium’s set, but clearly not budging - for they have made it this far. The
sold out venue goes pitch black, and all attention is on the stage as
Killswitch Engage appear to soundtrack ‘Eye of the Tiger’ - which couldn’t be
more befitting to the performance as they certainly didn’t pull any punches.
Everyone, quite frankly, goes mental as the eccentric Adam D
runs across the stage in his “daisy dukes”. Clearly he will be up to his usual
stage antics! As the intro fades they blast straight into ‘A Bid Farewell’, the
whole of Brixton Academy is consumed with a spectacular lighting display and
eruption of energy.
Jesse Leach owns the stage, his vocals - effortless, and his
engaging with the crowd – humble, as he nails tracks from the Howard Jones era.
It’s evident they have moved forward, and Jesse proves he is most certainly one
of the most formidable frontmen in metal. From their latest album ‘Disarm the
Descent’, tracks ‘New Awakening’ and ‘In Due Time’ sit perfectly in the set
alongside the Killswitch classics. Adam D provides the usual comedy moments,
along with the memorable riffs that are the foundation of their sound, yet his
strong stage presence doesn’t detract from Jesse. Duelling guitars and fierce
drumming complete the perfect package.
Ending in perfection with an Encore ‘My Curse’, they left the hairs on the back of my neck standing – ever so slightly taller than Trivium.
