Aftershock 2019: Lamb Of God

Randy Blythe, Lamb of God, Aftershock 2019

"This is where shit gets real", said one of my colleagues in the photo pit, at 6.18 pm on Friday, 11th October, "Oh yes... this is where it gets real."

Mark Morton, Lamb of God, Aftershock 2019

Friday, the first day of this year's Aftershock festival. And he was right: there had already been many excellent performances by really good bands including the Dropkick Murphys, Halestorm, I Prevail, Clutch: Phil Anselmo and the Illegals had roused and stirred up a crowdstorm, but... at 6.20 pm Lamb of God walked onto the Monster stage, and the real party was on.

John Campbell, Lamb Of God

Willie Adler, Lamb of God, Aftershock 2019

Regardless of your taste in music, or preference in theatre, or art or design or architecture or even cuisine, there's something tangible, something irresistible, something immediately recognisable about performers that exude that higher-level "something": who bring that inexplicable extra dose of magic, a level above the rest. Lamb Of God did just that: it did, indeed, get very, very real. Someone turned up the volume; someone increased the speed; someone made the focus blinding, razor-sharp, like a samurai blade dripping water from Randy Blythe's upturned water bottle as he rushed the stage, strapped up knees be damned.

Lamb of God, Aftershock 2019

OK it wasn't quite a spiritual experience, but it wasn't far off: it was Lamb Of God, on stage, on target, and on fire.

Lamb of God have a tour of Europe (including five dates in the UK) planned for early next year. You might just find me there. #newfan

Randy Blythe, Lamb of God, Aftershock 2019

Many more photos in our Aftershock gallery for Lamb Of God - click here.

More reviews and photos from Aftershock 2019: Toon's Tunes/Cameras and Cargos and Alison Toon Photographer music galleries.

Randy Blythe, Lamb of God