In a rush as usual but I head upstairs to get a good view of the stage and the place is not only heaving, it’s also hot. Until Sunday I had never heard of The Raven Age, so I am quite surprised at how packed the venue is already and there is an air of anticipation, so I am expecting good things. 

The Raven Age are an English heavy metal band formed in 2009 by guitarists Dan Wright and George Harris (son of Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris). They have previously toured with Tremonti, along with Iron Maiden, Anthrax and Killswitch Engage. They are described as melodic metalcore, but I am non-the-wiser… 

We witness a forty-minute set of songs including “Salem’s Fate”, “Promised Land” and “Angels in Disgrace” and while the loud conversation in my right ear (from a trio of people who clearly just came to catch up and not listen to the music) is distracting, the performance is all a bit bland. Admittedly I am probably not their target market, though looking around the room it is hard to discern what audience this actually is? But if they want to attract an older following (who are not hardened Iron Maiden fans), I think they need to work on their USP. The performance is good but cliched, tried, tested and there is only so much microphone stand swinging, arms aloft and enthusiastic clapping I can cope with. Also, the side hair with baseball cap adornment by vocalist Matt James is just weird, but since I am old enough to be his mum, I should probably shut up! 

Tremonti for those who have not encountered them yet, are an American heavy metal (we will come back to this later) band fronted by Mark Tremonti; guitarist of Creed and Alter Bridge. I never had the chance to see Creed but was a fan in the late 90/00s and loved Alter Bridge from the moment I heard them, managing to see them three times in the mid-00s. I admit I sort of fell out of love with them later on when Myles Kennedy appeared to be everywhere, but at some point I stumbled across Tremonti and realised this was what I had been missing…

And missing Tremonti is exactly what happened to me at this year’s Download, due to the epic hike to the car with all my gear on Sunday afternoon. I heard some of it far off in the distance but was sad to miss it. So, I am so ecstatic that we got listed for tonight’s show. 

As with so many gigs at the moment this is another rescheduled date and Tremonti flatters us by saying how glad he is to be here, and that Manchester is one of the greatest cities on the planet. He is right of course, but then I am totally biased. The band Tremonti are Mark Tremonti (lead guitar and vocals), Eric Friedman (rhythm guitar and backing vocals, has also played with Creed), Ryan Bennett (drums) and Tanner Keegan (bass and backing vocals). The show is very much a musical performance, there is a branded backdrop, amazing light show (albeit a little too blinding at times) but no theatrics or gimmicks. A healthy dose of guitar changes, understated outfits comprising jeans, t-shirts and trainers (good choice given it’s a billion degrees tonight) and a smattering of dialogue, but their attention is purely on the music. 

But are they heavy metal? According to Wikipedia(!) yes, but I beg to differ and so I fear I am opening a can of worms... Having mostly listened on the radio I am convinced they are rock and now watching live my perception is challenged. Mark Tremonti is a metal guitarist; live they are definitely heavier, but both the overall performance and the audience tonight fit my belief that this band is rock. It’s loud, noisy and in places very fast tempo, but not distorted enough to be metal and the lyrics and emotive themes are softer and in keeping with hard rock vibes. But I am no expert so make up your own minds… 

The quartet power through the 18-track playlist, including songs from all five (yes five, I had no idea) albums, and I realise how few songs I know. We start with a selection from the latest album last year’s “Marching in Time” including “Thrown Further and “If Not for You”. A few songs I do not recognise precede a track I have enjoyed listening to recently, the thrashy goodness of “Let That Be Us”. A particular highlight is the spine-tingling “Dust” from the 2016 album of the same name, where we witness Tremonti making guitar playing look so easy with an almost effortless solo. The lyrics on paper do not do the song justice, so definitely give it a listen. 

“Why did you head out
Did you lack the love?
Hide from our eyes now
The reflection of” 

We are reminded of Tremonti’s long musical career and where it all began with Creed during the somewhat aptly named “The First the Last”. If I had to hazard a guess, I would have expected this to be on an early album as it fits the Creed mould more than the rest, but it is from 2018’s “A Dying Machine” (which apparently has an accompanying novel of the same name, intriguing).

At times I struggle to concentrate (and am grateful for being upstairs where there are less people) as the temperatures are soaring. I see one person being led from the crowd and throughout the night the security staff are passing water to the front. Kudos to the group of young guys who start a mosh-pit not far from the sound decks but also it begs the question “are you insane!?!” 

Concentration is also marred by the duo (let’s call them Brian and Julie from Astley) next to me who are not only a bit too close for comfort in a sweaty environment, but his vape is being blown right over me and his singing is ruining my enjoyment (and video footage). Being a marketing professional, I am puzzled by this audience. “Brian” seems to know a lot of the words but is not your average rocker or metalhead. He looks, dare I say it “normal” and there are quite a few people upstairs who look a bit out of place, but then I guess that is the appeal of more mainstream acts. It encouraging to see some youngsters and I am intrigued to know how everyone ended up here, but there is no time for that…

Things then get a bit “Little Nicky” as the lights are turned to glaring red and I try to record but it is just too bright (and Brian is still going for it). However, the performance of “Another Heart” is outstanding and I am absorbed by the heart, no, sorry, too cliche, gut-wrenching lyrics…

“Hard on the brain
Tear at the walls to find it
Toss it away
Find me another heart
Break the inside
Hurt in a way you'll like it
Eager to find
Find me another heart”

With no encore the band close-up with “Wish You Well” and I take my chance to head to the doors before getting stuck in a sea of sweaty bodies trying to get out. There were a few notable exceptions to the playlist “Sympathy” and “Take Me with You” but with so much in the back catalogue they did well to get through everything. And if you are in any doubt of Tremonti’s singing ability you should check out “Mark Tremonti Sings Frank Sinatra”. Stunning and I am surprised it did not get a mention tonight, especially with 100% of proceeds going to charity. What a talented soul.