In a week chock-full of Soundwave sideshow goodness, the double whammy of Lamb Of God and Killer Be Killed was another gig promising a strong dose of heavy metal. With four consecutive nights of multiple Sydney Sidewaves, who doesn’t love this time of year?
Shiny new supergroup Killer Be Killed comprise a jaw dropping line-up of founders Greg Puciato (The Dillinger Escape Plan) and Max Cavalera (Sepultura, Soulfly, Cavalera Conspiracy), plus Troy Sanders (Mastodon) and Dave Elitch (The Mars Volta). With such a bloody impressive pedigree, the oft-overused term ‘supergroup’ is more than valid in this instance.
With just one album under their belt, Killer Be Killed thundered through most of their self-titled debut’s tracks as part of their first-ever tour, anywhere. Hard to believe this was their fourth gig — they completely nailed it. A relentless onslaught of shredding madness only served to prove you can’t keep a good Max down.
The debut LP may be a little polished, but a live setting reveals a thrash-tastic combination of talents. Highlights were the fury of Wings Of Feather And Wax, and the appropriately bone-pounding Curb Crusher. After 45 minutes of madness it was all over, and with promises of at least another album release, let’s hope there’s further visits with longer sets to our sunny shores.
Killer Be Killed raised the bar but Lamb Of God easily matched it. Frontman Randy Blythe was in electric form all night as Lamb Of God pulverised the Metro crowd with really loud, really intense, kinda berserk heavy metal. Despite a rather murky mix early in the set, Lamb Of God gave us a tectonic performance of groovy heavy metal.
From the wailing hellfire of Hourglass to the twisted metal of Ruin, Lamb Of God did not hold back. These lads know how to entertain. As expected, the rage of Walk With Me In Hell supplied the biggest mosh frenzy of the evening, as did a particularly scorching Now You’ve Got Something To Die For.
There was plenty of friendly chatter and encouragement from Randy. Not that we needed it. Everyone was bouncing. The Metro has seldom witnessed as enthusiastic a response from metalheads. It was a set full of favourites for the fans, who were very vocal in their appreciation.
The morning after no doubt provided a few sore heads and aching bones, which most would say was a completely acceptable outcome after a night of metal. The dirty, heavy shenanigans of Lamb Of God contrasted nicely with the cleaner thrash of Killer Be Killed. One of the finest Soundwave double acts last week.
