Let me kick this blog off with a simple disclaimer. I am far from an expert on music, and when it comes to gigs, I am no aficionado, I tend to not notice tiny little misdemeanors in favour of enjoying the entire experience. So if your looking for a review which will pick up on the intricacies of Randy Blythes voice, you’re probably in the wrong place. However, I am a life long music fan, so I can safely say that Lamb Of God delivered this Saturday.

There was an insane air of excitement over Brixton this weekend. Randy Blythes recent indictment in a Czech prison cast a massive doubt over the future Lamb Of God and many people wondered what the fuck was next for the band. Any doubts however, we’re ripped apart and torn asunder from the second Richmond fucking Virginia’s finest bounded on stage. Opening up with a barmy 1-2 of new albums Desolation and Ghost Walking, the pace was set considerably high. The set didn’t ever slow down from there. The lights would come up every few songs and you could see the band, minus Mark Morton who was tending to family issues, we’re truly taken back by the Brixton faithfuls. The usual pre amble to Omerta caused a deafening cacophony the likes of which only a metal crowd can produce, and the final 3 songs Laid To Rest, Redneck and Black Label caused the crowd to split into the most petrifying mosh pits which I can only assume, from above, looked like someone filled a washing machine with a fuck load of Ants. Well, human looking Ants… Safe to say, I was in them, and I loved every second of it.

The absence of Mark Morton was a massive shame, but Randy took time to point out to the crowd that he wasn’t there for family reasons, and that family always comes first to this band. The crowd responded with a huge round of applause. A heart warming retort. It makes you wonder whether the same reply would be given if say Harry Styles missed a One Direction gig, or if Abz was missing from one of 5ives many world-beating gigs of the 90’s. Paul Waggoner from Between the Buried and Me filled in on axeman duty, and was truly indistinguishable from Mark, nailing all the solos and from what i’m told, he threw in a couple of his own cheeky twists. Brave for a man playing to die hard fans on one of Metals true heavyweights. The interplay between the guitarists is incredible, trading blazing solos, blow by squealy blow. Chris Adler was sound on the sticks, delivering a blisteringly fast and equally groovy solo to kick off the proceedings. Did I mention at all the John Campbell the Bass player is actually Saruman?

So many American metal bands are touring the scene right now, and the British scene is totally comparable, some could argue, perhaps better. It’s pretty special to think that there are still bands out there selling out some of London’s finest venues, where do they go from here though? Based on this performance, you would be forgiven for one day putting the groove titans in the O2 Arena or perhaps even Wembley Arena. Thats still a big step though, and one that could only come with a new album, admittedly it would have to be a great album, and not just a good album, which happens to be the bane of more than just one of Metals biggest names right now.

Lamb of God truly came to London to start a war, and start a war they did. The time out whilst immeasurably stressful for the band, gave everyone time to become hungry for it again, and it really shows. Things can only go up for them now. They are ready to continue blazing a trail as the torchbearers for American Metal, great news for anyone that likes their music guttural, and heavy as sin.

You can tweet me to tell me Lamb Of God isn’t metal at @C_Spearman