Anthems Of Rebellion
I heard about Arch Enemy’s tour of Australia back in June. I’ve been a fan of the band for a while and last saw them at Festival Hall a few years ago in support of Megadeth. I definitely wanted the opportunity to photograph them so I decided to email the band via their website. When the promoter all but ignores you – cut out the middle man and go straight to the source.
Having said that, I really wasn’t expecting any sort of response but a day later, there was an email in my inbox that read:
hey John,
no problem.. if we can use the pictures as well..
dont forget to bring me a b-day cake, haha..
i will add you to the GL for the Melbourne show
cheers
Angela
Hmm? Angela? Nah! Couldn’t be!!!
Sure enough, the band’s lead singer Angela Gossow had personally responded and provided a photo-pass for me for the forthcoming Melbourne show. How totally freaking cool is that? If only other bands were so hands on and actually gave a crap about photographers and the like – it would certainly make our work a helluva lot easier! I totally thought this was a world-class move by Angela and one I certainly won’t forget in a hurry.
As the initial contact was made several months ago – I emailed Angela once again a week before the show and indeed, she had all but organized for my pass tonight.
Arriving at the Forum, already the foundations were being shook to the ground. New York’s Suffocation were blowing the place to bits and as I approached the doorman to get my credentials, I felt a tinge of nervousness overwhelm me. Shit, what if my name isn’t on the door? What if Angela didn’t get round to getting it all organized?
I needn’t have concerned myself. The pass was sitting and waiting for me so I made my way through the hallowed doors of the Forum. (Have I mentioned just how much I love this venue?)
Flashing my pass, I got to walk through the crowd and straight into the pit where I spent some time shooting the tail-end of Suffocation’s set (photos will be online soon).
Again, there were familiar photogs and faces in the photo-pit and again, we traded some war-stories about previous shoots, dodging bottles and Dr Marten imprints in our backs.
Arch Enemy took the stage just after 10.30pm and the gathered Metal throng was in pure rapture.
With a three song limit in force, I started frantically going for broke as the band hit the stage.
The band were in fine form and a blistering, concise and brutal Metal set delivered with finesse, style and a ton of class was mercilessly dumped onto an eager Melbourne Metal crowd.
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