Standing in line for a beer in the legendry open house that is The Hatchet, the oldest pub in the city of Bristol, easily over 300 years old, I’m one of many metal heads realizing that the time is finally here to see in person one of our favorite bands. Anticipation is putting it lightly; this band has become so integral to our everyday lives, so important to our very being, every one of us standing as one, one thousand men beginning to feel the sense of unity that only this genre of music can generate.
Sitting on one of many park benches located just opposite the o2 Academy, where the pursuit of adrenaline kicks and , I look around this enclosed space. I can see in every one of these dudes eyes the excitement building, the animation and eagerness for what lay’s ahead, for we all know this will be no ordinary gig, we – collectively have been waiting for this day for so, so long.
Discussions float around the room as to which much loved songs are going to be played, how big the circle pit is going to be and whether or not a ‘wall of death’ is going to be present. The sight of this may seem strange to an outsider, but to every man in this room what lay’s ahead is something that will inevitably be so mind blowing, so unbelievably profound, that it will leave an imprint in the minds of everyone present. This show is believed by many here to be the finest yet, no imitation could come close. Oh how right we were.
Deep in conversation with a fellow metaler, I see in the corner of my eyes a few start to rise, more following in turn. I glance at my watch, its time.
Standing in line for what seems like eternity, eager to get inside and let the chaos commence. The anticipation for tonight’s gig has hit fever pitch, man to man you can physically feel the momentum building, the energy not unlike a tornado, slowly building, gathering speed at a ferocious rate. One by one each person checking their wallets and back pockets, making sure their golden ticket is still there, not taking any chance on missing tonight’s show.
There are no metal detectors or pat down’s for this one, as is the norm in any city venue. Even though the events tonight will be much, much more violent than any other gig in town, the bouncers know that us, metal heads, are not here for trouble, we are here to have a good time, period.
And we’re in.
Dark, hot and crowded, pushed together like sardines in such a confined space, normally would be unbearable. But not tonight, not now. The anticipation in the room is bordering on extreme, each heartbeat pounding in sequence. The chests of every man rising and falling in unison. Nervous smiles fill the room, every man eying each other, altogether realizing what they are about to experience.
Total darkness, the chants begin. Only seconds away now. The words ‘Parkway Drive! Parkway Drive!’ are shouted, one gigantic voice rising and rising, until almost a scream. Fists pumping in coalition, the crowd bouncing as one, creating wave after wave of mania. The time has come, and every being in the room can sense it.
A double peddle bass drum begins pounding as if born out of the chants and fists of the crowd. Then, oh how long we’ve waited for this moment, you hear the guttural scream of Winston, the front man of Parkway Drive. The beginnings of ‘The Siren’s Song’ are played. Total chaos ensues. The house lights flicker in time with the down tuned guitars, the bone crushing bass felt in everyone’s skulls.
Ecstasy rises out of every pore of the skin, energy as if from nowhere bursts out of every single man, a mass of limbs and sweat – twisting and turning like one gigantic mechanical being, succumbed to the sounds it’s experiencing. A look of pure exhilaration crossed over every face present.
Song after epic song is played, the next even more brain crushing than before.
As the encore is played out, the boy’s from Byron Bay have played their hearts out. Sweat and broken limbs are all that’s left of the men here. Bruised but not broken, absolute exhaustion on the faces of every man, but with one difference – broad smiles on every man. For we have just witnessed what could quite possibly be the best gig we’ve ever attended, a landmark in live music in the hardcore scene in Bristol.
As we slowly exit the venue, sweat and heat pouring out of all, the odd lost shoe and ripped t-shirt, we all understand why it is we love metal so much, it is nights like this.
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