LIVE FROM THE PIT: Kreator, Carcass, Exodus and Nails

German thrash giants KREATOR brought their high production and perfectly curated lineup to London for a night of moshing, energy and metal magic.

Opening the night was the most modern band on the bill, NAILS who brought their trademark grindcore short form songs. From the moment they started, their sound was dense and heavy, for a three-piece, without being overwhelming. The band worked as one unit of sound. Their stage setup was simple, harking back to the band's roots of smaller shows. A significant amount of the crowd were wearing NAILS shirts, especially the younger fans in attendance.

The band have earnt a place in the hearts of many young metal fans as they have an infectious energy and give you that metal hit in short bursts. Their set was short yet they got through many tracks. They played a near perfect opening set to showcase their sound.

Bringing the night more in line with traditional thrash was American thrash legends EXODUS — arguably one of the founders of the genre. Their lineup has been constantly revolving, wiith the only consistent member being the guitar icon Gary Holt. His guitar skills were on full show in the live setting, and every solo he played was a textbook example of how to play live. The band played a few classic tracks and newer tracks to satisfy fans of every era. Gary Holt even payed an homage to his time in SLAYER with a tease of Raining Blood. The older fans in the crowd appreciated the change in sound to be in line with bands they already knew and the younger fans appreciated the chance to see some legendary songs.

CARCASS are extreme metal titans and have long been a fixture on people’s battle jackets. They remain as heavy as ever and still feel like a breath of fresh air within metal. Their sound is wholly their own. Bringing their trademark northern charm to London whilst cracking a few jokes about the north south dynamic. A longer set than the two bands who played before, giving more time for fans to hear their favourite tracks. During the set they announced a last minute small show which sold out within minutes as the fans at the gig were excited for more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fn-nPKJBONY

CARCASS gave just enough for a support set but left everyone longing for the headliner.

KREATOR were brilliant live. Their current stage show is arena level, high levels of pyro, plenty of props and custom staging, it is everything you want in a big metal show. The show started with the typical metal cheesy curtain drop. Opening with high energy and showing little signs that the band has been around since the 80s. Although the band were not the heaviest band on the bill, they kept their metal status by putting everything they could into the set.

The crowd started with pits forming as soon as the curtain dropped. With the rest of the crowd head-banging in unison, as all great metal shows put the crowd into one group of fans.

This tour was based on KREATOR’s latest album and did feature tracks from it, whilst still keeping many fan favourites in such as Satan Is Real, which is almost a statement piece from the band, satanic imagery and heavy riffs. The staging elevated each track with cinematic moments such as two goblins with torches on stage or flaming effigies. In a world where many tours are built on screens, it was refreshing to see a fully physical set with a traditional backdrop. Confetti and streamers helped create some unusual moments for a metal show whilst still feeling in theme with the overall set. Everything happening on stage worked in tandem to create a truly unmissable metal experience, there are not many better stage shows that currently exist within the genre.

KREATOR retain their status in metal by never resting on their legacy live, but instead constantly produce a spectacle that will create an army of die-hard fans who will stay with the band for life.

Words: Will Freeman

Photos: Jake Owens