The almighty Defenders Of The Faith tour brings the house down in Manchester!

Friday night’s review is going to be of the crowd because frankly they’ve earned it.

It’s been gratifying to see the queue snaking around the venue at 5pm. It confirms what a strong line up this tour has. People don’t want to just see the headliners. They want to see everyone.

Which is good for UK tour virgins five finger death punch. The crowd have been well up for their aggressive metal. There were circle pits aplenty throughout their 25 minute set. And even kids requesting songs the band have never even released. That’s dedication.

Unearth fit in well with the lamb of god vibe. Pantera is an obvious influence and it showed when the circle pit, although varying in size, didn’t stop all night. Even between songs.

Dimmu bring a different flavour to the bill and though the crowd wasn’t quite as energetic as the previous two bands they were no less enthusiastic. There was a good portion of the crowd singing along to every word.

But it’s all about lamb of god at the moment. There’s a buzz around them that suggests 2009 will be a huge year for them. Circle pits were huge and plentiful. After redneck came black label and, completely uninitiated, half the floor opened up and randy warned that if you didn’t know what was about to happen then get out of there. As the song started the crowd let loose for the biggest most ferocious wall of death I have ever seen in my gigging history. Well fucking done Manchester. You’re all fucking insane! 

London’s got a tough job to beat that. Though judging from the lamb of god chants currently coming from the crowd outside – it’s only 4.30 they’re gonna do their damnedest. We’ll let you know how that goes tomorrow.

Everyone was on an adrenaline high and Manchester was party night. But that’s another story to be told. Watch this space…