Gallery, ReviewDitch This MagazineMarch 25, 2023gallery, live, melbourne, Odin Imaging, Nathan Goldsworthy, odin imaging, forum melbourne, Malevolence, Amon Amarth, Trivium, Knotfest

Amon Amarth + Trivium + Malevolence @ The Forum 23-03-23

Gallery, ReviewDitch This MagazineMarch 25, 2023gallery, live, melbourne, Odin Imaging, Nathan Goldsworthy, odin imaging, forum melbourne, Malevolence, Amon Amarth, Trivium, Knotfest

photos: Nathan Goldsworthy @odin.imaging
words: Jennifer Rouse

As the sky fortuitously tore in half over Melbourne, unleashing a thunderous storm, Thor himself hailed in on his goat-drawn chariot to welcome metal gods Amon Amarth and metal core giants Trivium for their Knotfest co-headlined sideshow.
I believe in my heart of hearts that the first crack of thunder was the moment their feet touched our soil and would be repeated in the same gravity on stage.

With Malevolence, at the front line of battle supporting strong and heavy, the crowd really started to kick off for Trivium, here on their 14th tour of the big AU. Amon Amarth could not have asked for better brothers in arms!

Leading in with ‘Kirisute Gomen’ from their album Shogun (2008) and taking fucking heads is to put it light. Trivium’s set was a rolling kinetic ball of energy that was truly infectious with limbs, 9th lives, and a variety of lost objects exploding throughout the pit. Trivium’s setlist gave the crowd a breath-taking showcase of the band's iconic tracks and didn’t skimp on fan favourites – of which there are many! They have an impressive fluidity in the way they weave emotive stories using melodic vocals, thrash and technical metalcore that it often seems second nature. Which is a testament to their professionalism and unrelenting enthusiasm.

From beckoning circle pits to the sickest of riffs - Lead vocalist Matt Heafy is not only an exceptionally talented guitarist and vocalist, but an expressive and captivating hype machine with potentially the hardest working fingers and vocal cords in the heavy metal game. Able to summon the crowd to their bidding in a matter of seconds. If there is a ‘Cult of the Heafy’, where is my cup of Kool-Aid? I’m in!

Catching a well-deserved breather in between sets, the energy in the room and amongst fans started to gain a certain weight as though a distant grumbling of the earth was dulling itself into place. The hardcore Trivium fans gave way to the fierce horde of Amon Amarth heathen army, their imposing presence adding to the already charged atmosphere of the venue.

Role calling their Viking brothers to the line, striking at the air for honour and glory, Amon Amarth’s ‘Guardians of Asgaard’ filled an already brimming room with its war cry. Shirts became optional, ale horns stocked, and pockets of keen rowers amongst the pit lay claim to their places in the longship otherwise known at the Forum.
Amon Amarth’s fans are always game for shenanigans, but perhaps Loki was whispering into a few ears that night especially!

With crowd participation, aside Amon Amarth’s set was a plethora of their discography to date. At least as much as you can squeeze into a single set! In particular ‘Put Your Back Into the Oar’, ‘Raise Your Horns’, and encore ‘Twilight of the Thunder God.’ Often praised for their productions, this sideshow did not have all the bells and whistles (as to be expected). Their Knotfest performance, however, is sure to delight! SKOL!