Photo: Nick Davarias

Live Review: Lamb Of God – State Of Unrest Tour – OVO Wembley Arena, London

This tour was announced in 2019, for 2020. Due to THAT THING we dare not mention, the tour was then pushed back to 2021. Then 2022. Then one final time to 2023. However, that wouldn’t be the last postponement for the London show of the tour, after an unfortunate incident at the beloved Brixton Academy saw all shows at the venue moved or postponed. While the supports have had to change in that time (RIP Riley Gale), it was clear that metal heads across the UK were still eager to see this show happen, with the expanded London date (now at a venue double the size of its original) selling out despite the short notice. We had to head down to check out the show, here’s what went down.

With the ever approaching hoards leaking into the arena, Sylosis were the first to take over the stage. The first of many circle pits of the night would open up as the band went into their second song ‘I Suffer’ – I’m not sure the circle pits stopped until the set ended. Later in their performance the band debuted their latest single ‘Deadwood’, which garnered a great reception from the crowd. The metal head’s energy would stay high as the band ended their set with ‘Heavy Is The Crown’, promising the crowd they’ll “see a lot more of the band very soon”.

German veteran heavyweight thrash metallers, Kreator, would be next to perform. The band came out to the legendary Maiden track ‘Run To The Hills’ which the fans took to singing along to in anticipation. The guitars of ‘Hate Über Alles’ would be the first notes attendees would hear from the band. ‘Enemy of God’ would be the first of several songs throughout the setlist to see a backdrop change, with hanging bodies coming down onto stage later on in the set.

Photo: Nick Davarias

Not wanting to leave any fans disappointed, Kreator delivered a discography-spanning set. From ‘Strongest Of The Storm’ off their latest album to 1985’s ‘Flag Of Hate’, the crowd remained entertained and enchanted by the band’s unholy sound. As Mille Petrozza waved the Kreator flag over his thrash hoards, the entire venue seemed to turn from a concert to a battalion, leaving everything they had on the battlefield of the Mosh Pit. The battle of Wembley Arena would culminate in a climatic assault in the form of ‘Pleasure To Kill’ and as the last note chimed, victory was achieved for Kreator and its loyal legion.

The crowd were ready when it came time for Lamb of God to grace the packed out Wembley with their presence – even before the curtain dropped to reveal the band the amped up metallers were already moving back to create massive voids for future mosh pits as the intro for ‘Memento Mori’ began. From the moment the band revealed themselves, Randy Blythe and co’s insane stage presence was clear making sure that everyone in the room would have their eyes hooked to the stage.

Chaos front to back and left to right ensued for the next hour and ten as the band played through their extremely varied setlist which spanned their long discography, from early classics like ‘Ruin’ to newer hits like ‘Omens’. During the whole performance the band maintained their skilled musicianship throughout, being one of the best sounding bands I’ve heard within Wembley arena’s walls.

As the night drew to a close, the band returned to the stage for a three song encore featuring fan favourites ‘Vigil’, ‘Laid to Rest’, and ‘Redneck’. This is where the real chaos began, with the largest circle pits of the night -and that I’ve seen at the venue before – forming. This was an insane end to what had been a great show, and what I’m sure was an exceptional tour for the bands.

If there’s anything Lamb of God’s final show of their ‘State Of Unrest’ tour taught me, it’s that their fans are so patient. Waiting over three years and even with a venue change, the band still managed to pack out the huge venue front to back when most bands would have experienced a major drop off in attendance – and there’s a reason they’ve managed to do this. The band’s second to none musicianship, along with their engaging presence made for an undeniably great chaotic metal show.

Photo: Nick Davarias