Got It In Black?
First of all, before we kick things off here, I gotta thank the promoters Blunt, Metal Obsession and Soundwave – for allowing the photographers to stay in the venue after our respective three song allotment for each of the four acts on tonight’s bill: Machine Head, Hatebreed, Bleeding Through and Emmure. You made our lives a helluva lot easier and we didn’t have to endure the stupidity of being escorted out of the venue after the first three songs. (As was the case for the Lamb Of God, Devil Driver, Shadow’s Fall & Hire On Fire gig back in December).
At one point, it looked like it was going to be a repeat of that as Emmure had hit the stage and all the photogs were still outside and waiting to be let in. Thankfully, we were escorted in and the shooting began in earnest.
Emmure hit the stage a little before 7pm and played in front of a mostly empty Festival Hall. They tried their guts out and put in a serviceable set. Can’t say I am a fan of that particular brand of music but I did my best to get some shots under the very, very limited light show they had at their disposal. (2/5)
Security was quick to pull us out of the pit after the 3 song limit and were proceeding to escort us out. Oh no, not again. I quickly flashed my pass AND the ticket we had been given by the promoter and were subsequently allowed to stay in the venue. My fellow photogs and I got to witness the remainder of each band’s set from stage-right. Much nicer than sitting outside the venue in-between bands I-can-assure-you!
I thought Bleeding Through were a little on the disappointing side. Granted, they were without two band members and had fill-ins take their place. It all seemed rather sloppily put together but I can only imagine how hard it would be to replace your drummer and guitarist for any given gig. All in all, a pretty forgettable performance. (2/5)
Hatebreed on the other hand, well, they were simply phenomenal. They received tremendous support from the crowd and put forth a blistering set. Seriously, they blew me away and if tonight was any indication, I’d clearly go and see these guys again when next on our shores. (5/5)
Headliner Machine Head are quickly moving to the upper echelon of Metal acts. After a few years of some amazing albums, they are quickly becoming a slick, polished, well oiled machine. It was an absolute pleasure shooting them. There were several times where I was getting total eye contact with main man Rob who stared me down at one point as I was clicking away frantically. He finished his verse off with giving me the mighty finger, but I was getting some great, great expressions from him and was well pleased with the resultant shots. An amazing live band all round who can now mix it up with the big boys. A class act! (5/5)
View the complete set over at the Slideshow to the right, or on 
