ShareMachine Head and Amon Amarth co-headlining their Vikings And Lionhearts Tour at The Motorpoint Arena Nottingham on Thursday 8th September 2022
Images and Review by Kevin Cooper
On Thursday night a packed Motorpoint Arena were treated to a feast of music from heavy metal conquerors, Machine Head and Amon Amarth on the first night of their Vikings and Lionhearts Tour.
Sweden’s Amon Amarth have been crafting Viking themed metal since 1992 and over heavy riffs and double kick drums, the folklore obsessed band delivered a thundering theatrical spectacle. A massive explosion marked their entrance and for opener Guardians Of Asgaard there was a barrage of pyrotechnics which really heated up an already hot Arena.
Delivering a show of epic proportions their stage was set with two giant statues of Norse warriors who ominously flanked the stage, whilst the centre piece was a giant skull with ever changing screens for eyes adorned with a Viking’s horned helmet, upon which drummer Jocke Wallgren sat.
Showcasing their incredible arsenal of anthems such as Get In The Ring, First Kill and Shield Wall, the crowd were quickly singing along. For Heidrun the sweaty crowd were covered in confetti before Raise Your Horns closed the main set. For the encore the stage was filled with more pyrotechnics and a huge sea serpent as Twilight Of The Thunder God brought to a close a really excellent set.
As the spotlight was raised, Machine Head appeared on stage ready to take Nottingham by storm. Opening with Become The Firestorm they were given a rapturous welcome and at the first chords of Imperium there was a mass sing along and major collisions in the pits as the song reached its climax.
Aesthetics Of Hate was flawlessly executed whilst Darkness Within was a real highlight. With only a nine song set list, Davidian brought the house down, and when front man Robb Flynn conducted the audience through the dark and brutal but thrillingly euphoric closer, Halo, for a few thunderous moments, Machine Head seemed like the only current metal band that really matter.