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TRIVIUM/In Flames/Ghost, O2 Academy, Glasgow
6 December 2011

The Academy tonight was the venue for the Scottish leg of the Defenders Of The Faith III tour and it was an enticing package. The bill featured 5 bands in all, but due to work commitments and traffic issues we made it in just in time for the wild card of the bill, Ghost.

Anyone who has seen the press shots of this band will know that the image portrayed is that of some weird occultist sect, all religious regalia and ghostly face paint.

The music though comes as quite a surprise. I expected a full on death metal onslaught, but instead we are treated to keyboard heavy melodic rock and a theatrical vocal delivery.

Highlights over the 6 song set were 'Con Clavi Con Dio' and set closer 'Ritual' which I actually thought was reminiscent of Asia of all things.

One observation though is that due to the stage persona and hooded habits favoured by the guitarists and bass player, there was very little crowd interaction and the band failed to engage the assembled masses fully. The band are an interesting package, but this lack may see them remain as a bit of a novelty act.

The Swedish metal merchants put on a brutal display, steamrolling the audience with a set heavier than Dawn French in a lead overcoat.

Following Ghost though we have a band that are the real deal and then some, In Flames. The Swedish metal merchants put on a brutal display, steamrolling the audience with a set heavier than Dawn French in a lead overcoat.

From the opening bars of 'Sounds Of The Playground Fading' to the final chords of 'Take This Life' the band put on a master class in metal. The crowd which had shown some enthusiasm during Ghost went absolutely mental during In Flames with head banging and circle pits in abundance.

All too soon the set came to an end by which time the band had convincingly won over the entire Academy and to possibly the biggest cheer of the night they exited stage left, job definitely done.

I do have one gripe though and it is one that is becoming increasingly annoying, what bright spark thought that putting banks of lights on stage behind the band, which have enough power to burn out your retinas, was a good idea? I am starting to get crows feet squinting at stages, lighting designers please take note. Rant over.

Lastly we have Trivium to round off the night. I have seen Trivium a couple of times before in support slots, but this is the first time I have caught them headlining.

Having recently released their new album 'In Waves' it was fitting that the band kicked things off with the title track which sparked off yet more circle pits and head shaking. In all the band aired six tracks from the new album including scream alongs with 'Dusk Dismantled' and 'Black'.

The vocal sparring of Matt Heafy and Corey Beaulieu, as always, is what gives the band it's signature sound as ably demonstrated on older favourites 'Drowned and Torn Asunder' and 'A Gunshot To The Head Of Trepidation'.

The guitar playing of the two is also first class trading solos during each number with great dexterity. I do find though that a little Trivium goes a long way and that there is too little variety in their loud-soft-loud delivery, but again that was only my personal view and it didn't appear to be shared with the rest of the crowd .

This proved to be an excellent package with all bands turning in solid sets, for me though In Flames stole the show.


Review and photos by David Wilson