Review and Photos: Lamb of God, Anthrax, Royal Oak, Royal Oak Music Theater, 1/28/16

On the outskirts of Detroit, Michigan, Royal Oak is a quiet suburb known for its daytime, eclectic shops, and its bustling club nightlife. But, on a cold night in January, Lamb of God brought its headlining tour through, and the Royal Oak Music Theater became a sight that only true metal fans would understand. Texas crossover thrash band Power Trip seemed like a perfect blend of Anthrax’s ’80s thrash and Lamb of God’s modern new wave of American heavy metal. While Deafheaven’s black metal seemed to confuse some in attendance, the fact that New Bermuda is actually outselling Lamb of God suggests that they’re definitely catching on with a new audience. The two bands did a great job of priming the audience for the two headliners.

Anthrax

Anthrax, who, in their own right have headlined many tours, made a perfect opener for Lamb of God. With an 8 song setlist, and just over an hour of play time, they wasted no time breaking out into hits like “Fight ‘Em ‘Til You Can’t”, “Indians,” and new song “Evil Twin.” Joey Belladonna took a few minutes to thank the crowd for allowing them to play, and even stated that it was their first time playing the Royal Oak Music Theater. Anthrax did an exceptional job of priming the crowd for what was coming ahead.

Lamb of God

Wasting no time, they started off with heavy hitting “Desolation” off their 2012 album Resolution. Within moments, the standing room only, general admission main floor broke out in mosh pits not meant for such a small venue. Playing through songs from their entire discography spanning the past 12 years, their hour and a half set seemed much longer. Over the course of their set, people hobbled out beaten and bruised from the circle pits, the multiple wall of death attempts, and all in all the mosh pit that became the main floor in its entirety. Still singing along, people would take breaks and then go back in like shift workers who loved their jobs.

Randy Blythe jumped off stage during “Walk with Me In Hell” and interacted with fans along the barricade who seemed not to care that they were mere inches from being dragged backwards in to complete chaos. Walking off stage after “Erase This,” chants from the crowd of “Lamb Of God”, mixed with “encore” were gladly met with three more songs.

As the last notes from “Redneck” rang through the theater, and the house lights came on, the crowd flooded the streets of Royal Oak with feelings of exhaustion and a sense of completion from surviving the floor.And, although fans didn’t want the show to end, most were happy to not only see Lamb Of God in such a small setting, but to walk out in one piece…

Setlist (Courtesy of setlist.fm)