Amon Amarth, in low-key production mode
Bleed From Within: if you’re going to support Amon Amarth, bring a sail
FULLY CLOSED FOR renovation work in 2017, the Wolverhampton Civic Hall has now been open for a fortnight. Tonight is its first metal gig and, in an act of either inspired brilliance or utter lunacy, Amon Amarth have been given the prestige of kicking the gates back open to the legions.
Attendees of last year’s Machine Headassisted Vikings And Lionhearts tour can attest that the Swedes have an arena-worthy production these days, and while they aren’t able to bring full pyro to Wolverhampton, BLEED FROM WITHIN prove you don’t need flames to get a crowd worked up and sweaty. Latest album Shrine dominates the setlist, and with good reason. Floor-filling riffs, roaring singalongs and spine-menacing grooves aplenty fuel massive circle-pits throughout the set, and even with bassist Davie Provan sitting out the tour, the tightness of I Am Damnation and Levitate are sure signs that this band are stepping up as modern metal heavyweights.