ARCH ENEMY + IN FLAMES + SOILWORK – EVENTIM APOLLO, HAMMERSMITH 6TH OCTOBER 2024
Having not seen Arch Enemy since their pit-destroying performance at Hellfest in 2023, I wasn’t going to miss the chance to catch the melodeath titans at the beautiful Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, especially with a dream lineup featuring In Flames on this co-heading bill and Soilwork kicking things off. With only four UK dates on the ‘Rising From the North‘ tour, you know this venue will be packed as the Swedish death machines roll into London town.
It’s damp and dismal in Hammersmith, but the weather will have to do much worse to remove the smiles from the crowd that snake around the block lucky enough to bag tickets to this sold-out show. The Apollo stands proud as you come out of the tube station. These days, the building itself looks a little tired on the exterior, but once inside, it’s lost none of its majesty. Doors open at 5.30pm, and Soilwork are the first to hit the stage at 6.15pm.
Soilwork
Soilwork kicks things off with precision and power. By the time they launch into “Stabbing The Drama”, the venue is already filling fast, and it’s clear that Soilwork has no intention of easing the crowd into the night—they’re hitting hard from the start. Björn “Speed” Strid showcases his incredible range, effortlessly moving between ferocious growls and smooth, melodic lines.
The band is tight, with Sylvain Coudret and Simon Johansson firing off razor-sharp guitar riffs while Rasmus Ehrnborn’s bass smashes through the Apollo’s walls. “Spirit of No Return” their latest release is a standout, translating brilliantly live. Bastian Thusgaard’s drumming is a masterclass, and as the set draws to a close, Soilwork leaves the stage to roaring applause, clearly gaining new fans tonight.
In Flames
In Flames, Gothenburg’s melodic death metal pioneers are up next, and they waste no time diving deep into their back catalogue. Opening with “Cloud Connected” and “Take This Life”, they ignite a firestorm of energy within the packed Apollo. The pit surges into action immediately, with Anders Fridén’s voice cutting through the chaos, shifting between guttural fury and soaring melodies. In Flames’ set is a perfect blend of old and the new, pulling out fan favourites like “Food for the Gods” and “Coerced Coexistence”, as well as newer bangers like “State of Slow Decay” and “In the Dark” from their 2023 album Foregone.
The crowd surfers pour into the pit, and the Apollo staff have their hands full, but the energy is infectious. The twin guitar attack from Björn Gelotte and Chris Broderick rips through the venue, pushing the crowd to their limits. They wrap their set with a triple-hit of “The Mirrors Truth”, “I Am Above”, and finally “My Sweet Shadow” a fitting climax to a monumental performance.
Arch Enemy
By the time Arch Enemy emerges, the Apollo is a buzzing hive of anticipation. With Alissa White-Gluz at the helm, they burst into “Deceiver, Deceiver,” the first of many crushing songs in a setlist stacked with hits and fan favourites. Alissa is a magnetic presence on stage, her blue hair and windmill headbanging driving the crowd wild. Her vocals shift effortlessly between brutal growls and soaring clean passages, particularly on “Handshake With Hell,” which showcases the full range of her vocal prowess.
The Michael Amott/Joey Concepcion guitar duo is a force of nature, each battling it out in a relentless display of technical brilliance that leaves me utterly speechless. Arch Enemy’s latest single, “Dream Stealer”, is a standout from their forthcoming album Blood Dynasty, lit up by stunning stage visuals. The kaleidoscopic lighting show, flashing strobes, and pounding beats from Daniel Erlandsson’s drums transform the Apollo into a metallic wonderland. From the balcony, the scene looks beautiful.
The show closes with a colossal soul-crushing “Nemesis”. As the final notes ring out, the sweat-soden but thrilled crowd knows they’ve witnessed something special tonight. Arch Enemy have delivered a flawless, crushing set, sealing their place as one of the top names in melodic death metal.
An epic night of Swedish metal, with all three bands leaving nothing in the tank and offering a mix of nostalgia and fresh material, all within the storied walls of one of London’s most iconic venues.
Full Gallery from ‘Rising From The North’
