Live Review : Sabaton + BABYMETAL + Lordi @ First Direct Arena, Leeds on April 14th 2023

As Bon Scott did declare, "It’s a long way to the top if you want to rock 'n' roll". Sabaton’s meteoric journey to the top of the metal’s pyre has been a marathon as opposed to a sprint. When I first spied them in 2006 (on the very tour that Par nostalgically refers to towards the end of their set) they were an identikit Scandinavian mid-table power metal act, virtually indistinguishable from the other identikit Scandinavian mid-table power metal acts that prowled around half empty club shows and early afternoon sets at Bloodstock.

Live Review : Volbeat + Skindred + Napalm Death @ First Direct Arena, Leeds on December 16th 2022

Well, this is something I thought I would never see. A full production Volbeat arena show here on these very shores. You see, over on the continent the Danish Bluegrass metallers occupy the premium slot in the market. They slay stadiums and perch atop of festival bills. However, their accent here in the UK has been much more gradual and palatial. Over the years they have slowly but surely moved from academies to Apollo's and now their persistence has led them to the gates of this country's arenas.

Live Review : Architects + Malevolence + Sleep Token @ First Direct Arena, Leeds on May 2nd 2022

It’s time for ROCKFLESH to hit another arena, and this time myself and Ryan (complete with escort to and from the photopit) have the pleasure of scooting across to Leeds for a May Bank Holiday Monday treat! Armed with my 2 pints cup of cider I make my way into the standing area for openers Malevolence. I’ve noticed loads of their tees in the crowd, so it’s no surprise then that there’s a great buzz about the place, and a soon to be vicious pit opens up before the band have even made it on stage.