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Live Reviews : Trivium & In Flames @ The Tivoli, Brisbane 19/11/2014

By on November 20, 2014

Words: Andrew Kapper

Images: Gethin Hill

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With a classic Queensland Summer storm having just hit Brisbane City, and the streets groaning under the weight of the post-work stampede, it’s a bit of a mad rush for this evening’s punters to make it to the Tivoli – especially with no support act and a strict curfew to abide by, coupled with the fact that tonight’s ‘special guests’ In Flames hit the stage at 8pm sharp.

In Flames

In Flames

Opening with older tune “The Quiet Place”, the Swedes bound on stage to deafening roars. It’s a wise move kicking off with one of their more recent belters, as their set leans heavily on the two most recent In Flames releases, “Siren Charms” and “Sounds of a Playground Fading” – and minus the rousing “Only For The Weak”, it’s purely post-2002 material. Which means, musically speaking, there is a lot of bouncy riffs and big choruses – but it also highlights how predictable the five piece’s songwriting has become of recent years. That all being said, “Trigger”, “Cloud Connected” and “The Mirror’s Truth” are all rapturously received, and frontman Anders Friden works hard at keeping the crowd energy levels up, even during the somewhat underwhelming new material off “Siren Charms”. Predictably ending with massive “Take This Life”; which always sounds huge in the live setting, In Flames’ hour performance has mostly been a hit with the devotees here tonight, but their sheer refusal to play any of their amazing late-90s material and formulaic new songs can’t help but make this reviewer underwhelmed.

Trivium

Trivium

Apparently Trivium’s Brisbane fanbase never heard of the cardinal gig sin of wearing the headlining band’s shirt to their own show, as a Trivium shirt is on the back of seemingly every person in the Tivoli tonight. After a tight and quick band change over, the Floridian’s kick off their 75 minute set with new track “Strife”, before segueing into the not-as-new “Black”. It’s a pretty decent smattering of material on show, with close to a decade of Trivium history performed this evening. Guitarists Matt Heafy and Corey Beaulieu both pack massive guitar tones – thanks to every modern metal guitarist’s best mate, the Kemper Profiling Amp – and are equally world class shredders. Meanwhile newest member, drummer Mat Madiro brings youthful energy and enthusiasm to the table, absolutely pile-driving his kit during tunes like “Brave This Storm”.

Trivium

Trivium

Heafy is obviously aware of his past vocal afflictions, as Beaulieu almost solely handles all the harsh vocals – most notably during “Throes of Perdition”, where he’s basically the lead vocalist, but Heafy makes up for it with being a relaxed and receptive frontman. New tracks off “Vengeance Falls” get a more than respectable level of crowd movement, but unsurprisingly it’s older tracks that are best received, like “Down From The Sky”, “Like Light to Flies” and the rarely played “Into The Mouth Of Hell We March” – interestingly though old “Ascendancy” era classics “Pull Harder on the Strings of your Martyr” and “A Gunshot To The Head Of Trepidation” have been retired, at least temporarily, from the live setting. Tonight has been a good showing from Trivium, who comfortably blew In Flames set away, and while nothing particularly amazing occurred, it’s plain to see that Trivium have become a well oiled, metal touring and performing machine.

The Trivium-In Flames tour continues this Friday in Sydney at the UNSW Roundhouse (November 21). Tickets available via the usual outlets.

FRIDAY 21 NOVEMBER – SYDNEY, ROUNDHOUSE– Licensed All Ages

www.ticketek.com.au

SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER – MELBOURNE, 170 RUSSELL – 18+ – SOLD OUT!!

www.oztix.com.au | www.170russell.com

MONDAY 24 NOVEMBER – MELBOURNE, 170 RUSSELL – 18+

www.oztix.com.au | www.170russell.com

TUESDAY 25 NOVEMBER – ADELAIDE, HQ – 18+

www.oztix.com.au

Trivium + In Flames Australia Tour 2014

Trivium + In Flames Australia Tour 2014