Reviewed by: Brendan O’Mahony / Pics by Ange Cobham / Cobspix Photography
Another day in the capital and another juggernaut of a tour rolls into town. With a stacked line-up, providing one of the widest ranges of styles I can remember outside of festivals, the hardened souls dedicated to the continuance of rock and metal on this island made their way to the docks to bear witness to one of Denmark’s finest rock and metal exports in Volbeat. With a new album and two decades of touring behind them this promised to be a sonic and visual treat.
Napalm Death
Opening the show are Birmingham Grindcore legends Napalm Death. With driving bass and blast beats from the kit Napalm Death pull no punches and accept no prisoners. For some in attendance this evening the look of bewilderment is evident as Barney Greenway and co fly through their all too short set. However, Volbeat and Napalm Death have history as members linked up back in 2010 for the Beyond Heaven/ Above Hell album and the song Evelyn that Barney contributed vocals for. To the uninitiated the noises emanating from the microphone may seem undecipherable but socio-political themes run throughout the bands lyrics with Contagion lamenting the inhumane treatment of refugees and Suffer the Children railing against the influence of the Church. The biggest cheers from the crowd come for tracks off their debut Scum, with the title track requested frequently before its appearance, while also having a contender for shortest song in metal history with You Suffer. An intense 30 minutes are brought to a close with a cover of the Dead Kennedys classic Nazi Punks Fuck Off.
Skindred
Welsh Ragga Metal pioneers Skindred are next up with their blend of Metal, Dancehall Reggae, Drum and Bass and Punk. As the Imperial March theme blares through the sound-system those who had gone seeking refreshment file back in just in time for Stand for Something from Shark Bites and Dog Fights. As the set continues the atmosphere and energy that Skindred create is something to behold, with Benji striding down the ramp surrounding the pit eliciting call and responses from each side for That’s My Jam, giving forthright reviews of “Shit” if it wasn’t to his liking. It is clear they are here to party, hyping the crowd before the headliner’s arrival. Snippets of Van Halen’s Jump and Sabbath’s War Pigs are interlaced between new tracks L.O.V.E (Smile Please) and Gimme that Boom from their upcoming album alongside set standards Kill The Power and Nobody. Closing with the ever-brilliant Warning gives the crowd the chance to get involved with Wales finest Newport Helicopter. As jumpers, t-shirts and even a bra rotate above heads Skindred have played their hand perfectly and surely now a headline club show of their own in Ireland is on the cards in the near future.
Volbeat
The stage show is cranked up ten-fold as tonight’s headliners prepare to enter. The stage becomes a 1950’s style TV as images of the bands tour and backstage antics project onscreen before they kick off with Devil’s Bleeding Crown and Rewind, Replay, Rebound cut Pelvis on Fire. Lola Montez and Last Day Under The Sun have the crowd singing before Fallen is, as always, dedicated to Michael Poulsen’s father. Showing his own musical influences Poulsen teases Only Want To Be With You and Ring Of Fire on acoustic before his own Johnny Cash inspired Sad Man’s Tongue. As Rob Caggiano, Poulsen and Kasper Boye Larsen make full use of the stage and ramp the crowd can get up close and personal, with Caggiano shredding solos mere inches from the faces of those in the pit. With smoke jets emerging from tubes around the stage and large balloons being bounced around by the fans, new tracks such as Wait A Minute My Girl, accompanied by the piano and sax duo ZZ Bottom, and Say No More blend seamlessly with fan favourites Seal The Deal and Slaytan. For me personally, the chance to switch from dancing to moshing being provided in ample amounts is a rare but welcome addition to any set. The encore break is thankfully short and sweet before they return for Let It Burn and a Great Balls Of Fire Jerry Lee Lewis tribute prior to Die To Live. For Evigt gives us all the chance to sing in our best broken Danish, lyrics helpfully displayed on screen, complete with the biggest confetti canons I’ve ever seen before Still Counting finishes off the night’s proceedings. There is no doubt as to why Volbeat are mainstay headliners across European festivals providing the perfect amount of every element needed for a boogie and metal party. If you are lucky enough to have this show come through your city then buy that ticket as it continues through Scotland, Wales and England this month.
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