MACHINE HEAD / AMON AMARTH
Amon Amarth put Wembley to the torch
THE HALO EFFECT
WEMBLEY ARENA, LONDON
WHOEVER THOUGHT WE would see this again: Machine Head on a bill with other people? Since 2015, Robb Flynn’s riffmaster generals have been heavy music’s most isolationist band, eschewing festivals and support slots in favour of ‘An Evening With…’ extravaganzas. Between their secret set at Bloodstock this summer and this tour, the groove metal icons seem to be reopening their borders – and be thankful that they are, as it’s exposing arena-sized audiences to THE HALO EFFECT.
Don’t let the Swedes’ ‘new band’ status deceive you – they are actually a collection of ex-In Flames members rediscovering the melodeath sound they pioneered 30 years ago. Gateways, Last Of Our Kind and especially the closing Shadowminds get London limber, their twin-guitar leads and scream-along hooks invigorating a passionate if small congregation.