10 Best Heavy Metal Live Bands Of 2018
9. At The Gates
An At the Gates live show is not exactly a complex sight to behold. It’s five Swedish death metal veterans stepping onto a stage and belting out an armada of crushingly melodic anthems for an hour. Simple stuff. However, this no-nonsense and no-distractions approach to performing creates a rawness that not only fits their abrasive tunes, it also highlights the band’s chemistry.
Armed with set-lists packed to the brim with cuts from Slaughter of the Soul (the best melodic death metal album of all time) and the brand-new To Drink from the Night Itself, nothing extra is required. Songs like “Blinded by Fear”, “Nausea”, “A Stare Bound in Stone” and “Cold” are already perfect adrenaline fixes – each revelling in simultaneous catchiness and brutality – so why fix what ain’t broke?
Furthermore, the strength of the songs aside, At the Gates just come across as likeable and down-to-earth people. Lead singer Tomas Lindberg is constantly patrolling the stage and pumping his fists, ensuring that every single one of his onlookers is rocking out as hard as possible. Meanwhile, the smiles and interactions of every member project a relatable image that metal fans always lap up.
At their concerts, At the Gates remind fans why they are one of the leading lights of Scandinavian heaviness.