Anthrax. Kreator. Testament. Whilst these three massive names in thrash might be lumped together by the uninitiated, they are in fact dramatically different takes on a genre that has always been a prime example of metal's ability to evolve. The question is though - is it a bit silly having three headliners starting from 6:30, or is it just damn good value for money?

Testament open the night early, but there's no holding them back despite the streams of punters still trying to get in. There are flames shooting from the off and that apparatus means there's about a six-foot gap between the front of the performing stage and the photo pit. It's as if the floor is booby trapped! But to the music - and Testament remain one of the purest of pure old school thrash you could wish to find.

Driven by immensely powerful drumming underneath tight staccato thrash riffs, there's also no mistaking the signature growl of frontman Chuck Billy. They're importantly professional too, with slick transitions between songs, meaning the set is filled with as many tracks as possible. ‘True American Hate’ sees an eager request for a pit which, despite the numbers still trying to get in, ensues with vigour. Possibly with it being the first night of the tour, techs keep having to come on stage to adjust the drums, with one cymbal stand even falling off the 5 feet riser, cymbals. Apparently, a new album will be coming next year, and we'll be seeing them again soon, which is music to the ears of the packed crowd by the end of their set - proving already that the love for thrash is alive and kicking in the North West!

To the first of our co-headliners, Germany's mighty Kreator. The stage setup is hidden behind a band branded curtain, but even before that drops, we see the stage being framed by two giant demon statues. The curtain drops to reveal the stage in earnest, and we see a further giant demon at the very back looming over the drumkit. They open with ‘Hate Über Alles’ and it's not long before the front of stage erupts once again by flames jetting. The surprises start hitting for real from second song ‘Paranoia’ which is accompanied by four hanging corpses dropping to an explosion, and smoke jets blasting during the track too. The fourth song, ‘Enemy of God’, adds another layer of spectacle with sparklers, confetti cannons, and a driving riff that kicks in with plenty of strobe lights during the chorus. Combined with the stage statues and effects, it’s an undeniably impressive production.

Musically their performance is polished and true to the recordings, with Mille Petroza’s voice, if anything, sounding even better live. The thrash is driving, the vocals rich and glorious, and the choruses are both catchy and singable. Each song has a distinct signature sound, avoiding any sense of repetitiveness and nothing feels self-indulgent or excessive - every element serves the music. The guitar solos are a good example of this, as they blend seamlessly into the song structures. Despite their natural thrashy tempo, the songs have enough breathing room to avoid becoming tedious or repetitive. Unlike Testament’s relentless onslaught, these guys balance their performance with crowd interaction between songs, led by the charismatic frontman.

Halfway through the set, two goblin-like figures with flaming torches appear on stage to set two effigies ablaze, leading straight into ‘Phantom Antichrist’, complete with its mid-song breakdown which would thrill any Gojira fan, with more confetti cannons to follow. The theatrical extravaganza never lets up, but this feels like intelligent thrash for those who want to scratch below the surface without losing any of those headbanging moments thanks to irresistibly catchy choruses.

Compared to the theatrics of their co-headliners, Anthrax like to concentrate purely on the music, and deliver a stripped-back performance, free of extravagant props like demon statues, cannons, or flames. Instead, the setup features only a drum riser and a backdrop, until a plain white curtain drops down in front of the stage. This minimalist approach makes sense though as a video montage of celebrities praising the legendary band plays before kicking things off. The crowd is whipped into a frenzy as the screen displays the engaging soundbites and then a wild cartoon. The show-proper begins with silhouetted figures behind the curtain, building anticipation even more. Then when the curtain finally drops, the band immediately energizes the crowd and dive straight full adrenaline into their set.

Initially, the vocals dominate the mix, but fortunately by the time they’ve finished opener ‘A.I.R.’ the sound has balanced out perfectly – a sign of a veteran and slick outfit. Anthrax take the full time to showcase their iconic blend of thrash, hardcore, and even a hint of rockabilly, which has created their unique and enduring sound. The set tonight highlights that versatility, moving through styles like rock-metal, punk-infused metal, and hardcore metal, all firmly rooted in thrash though. Joey Belladonna’s vocals are spot-on and soar impressively in that fantastically dramatic and confident manner throughout the performance. They all exude confidence, epitomised by Joey even sporting an Anthrax t-shirt - a fun nod to their self-assured greatness. The band members command each attention not just through their exceptional musicianship but also their individual personalities.

Despite their old-school approach - eschewing stage risers or elaborate antics - they hold the audience in raptures throughout. One slight distraction is the presence of a cameraman filming on stage, which feels out of place, and with the late midweek finish many have left before the end, a challenge faced as the second of two headliners. But everyone has been treated to a stunning gig from three stupendous bands. As Joey sings his goodbyes we can look forward to new material in the future soon and a return of what remain a must-see live act.

Check the “In The Flesh” page for more photos!
Anthrax + Kreator + Testament