As you walked around the corner, the scene outside the O2 Academy was nothing short of overwhelming. A massive queue of fans stretched far along the sidewalk, each person buzzing with anticipation. Unlike other nights, the early arrivals weren’t just there to secure a prime spot near the stage; tonight, they were drawn by the allure of a stellar lineup. The Rising From The North Tour was kicking off its opening night right here, featuring a powerhouse trio of bands: Soilwork, Arch Enemy, and In Flames.
The energy in the air was palpable as fans chatted excitedly, recounting favourite songs and previous concerts, while newcomers to the scene soaked in the vibrant atmosphere. The excitement was not just about seeing a favourite band perform but about experiencing the synergy of three renowned acts sharing the same stage. As the doors of the venue loomed closer, the electric buzz of anticipation only grew, setting the stage for what promised to be an unforgettable night of music and camaraderie.
First to take the stage was Soilwork, hailing from Helsingborg, Sweden, known for their distinctive Melodic Metal. As the band appeared, the Glasgow crowd burst into cheers. Led by vocalist Bjorn Strid, they immediately had the audience moshing with their energetic performance starting with the opening notes of “The Arrival.” Soilwork expertly warmed up the crowd, playing “Exile” from their 2007 album “Sworn to a Great Divide.
When the band launched into the fantastic “Spirit of No Return,” the crowd began to surf, coming in continuous waves. The security team stationed at the front of the stage was well-prepared to escort fans out of the pit area as they arrived. Among the standout moments from their brief performance were renditions of “Distortion Sleep,” “The Ride Majestic,” and “Death Diviner.
The band concluded their performance with “Stalfagel” from the “Verkligheten” album, electrifying the venue with intense guitar riffs that had everyone jumping and the sound reaching extreme levels. You could feel the bass and vocals vibrating through you. As they exited the stage, the Glasgow crowd erupted into a massive round of applause.
The moment had arrived for Arch Enemy from Halmstad, Sweden, to step into the spotlight and unleash their signature melodic death metal upon the eager Glasgow crowd. Leading the charge was the formidable frontwoman, Alissa White-Gluz, whose powerful vocal performance was so intense that it sent shivers down the spine. The band captivated their audience right from the start, kicking off with “Deceiver, Deceiver” and then moving into “The World is Yours.” Tonight, Arch Enemy truly claimed Glasgow as their own.
The performance featured standout tracks such as My Apocalypse, Dream Stealer, and the debut of Liars and Thieves from their upcoming album Blood Dynasty, which left the Glasgow audience thoroughly impressed. The atmosphere was further energized by the inclusion of large black and red beach balls adorned with the band’s pentagram logo, which excited the crowd even more. Since the band started playing, there has been continuous crowd surfing. At one stage, a sizable mosh pit emerged close to the front of the stage.
The temperature inside the venue was intense, and the numerous security guards stationed at the front of the stage were likely feeling extremely hot, especially with the constant flow of crowd surfers coming over the barrier. And this isn’t even the main act yet; there’s still a long evening ahead.
Alissa truly excels in energizing the audience and elevating their experience, with her voice resonating throughout the venue. Commanding a significant portion of the stage, she delivered an electrifying performance, thrilling fans with hits like “First Day in Hell,” “As The Pages Burn,” and the incredible “Handshake With Hell,” which captivated the Glasgow audience.
Arch Enemy concluded their performance with the outstanding “Nemesis” followed by “Fields of Desolation,” receiving enthusiastic applause from the audience. Their set appeared to fly by in an instant.
Can the Glasgow crowd handle more excitement? Two bands have already performed, and the headliner, In Flames, is yet to hit the stage.
The moment had arrived for the main act, and from Gothenburg, Sweden, In Flames took the stage, greeted by an enthusiastic crowd. As they kicked off with “Cloud Connected,” the entire venue came alive with energy. The look on lead vocalist Anders Fridén’s face indicated that this night was destined to be memorable, fuelled by fans eager for a heavy set. The band’s energy and passion were palpable as they delivered a mix of classic and recent tracks. Highlights included “Paralyzed,” “Meet Your Maker,” “Trigger,” and “State of Slow Decay,” which intensified the atmosphere, causing the walls to drip with sweat from the heat generated by both the band and the Glasgow audience.
The surge of crowd surfers was astonishing, continuously flowing as security tirelessly pulled them over the front barrier again and again. Several were repeat surfers, having just returned to the crowd a song earlier. Meanwhile, the mosh pit near the stage whirled as fans matched the intensity and rhythm of the thunderous music filling the venue.
As the set neared its conclusion, the band thrilled the Glasgow audience with standout performances of “The Mirror’s Truth” and “I Am Alone,” captivating the fans who savoured every moment of what had been an outstanding show by In Flames.
As Glasgow weathered an evening filled with intense feelings and fervour, In Flames delivered one final track in an attempt to overwhelm the crowd. Revisiting their 2002 album, Soundtrack of Your Escape, they concluded the concert perfectly with the outstanding “My Sweet Shadow,” offering Glasgow one last opportunity to form an enormous mosh pit. The crowd eagerly participated, and crowd surfers continued their antics. As the last chord resonated, the band members took a bow and bid farewell, capping off a dynamic performance not only by In Flames but also by the spectacular Arch Enemy and Soilwork.
The opening night of the tour left fans ecstatic, featuring an impressive line-up of bands all performing under one roof. The band must be wondering if any future audience could match the enthusiasm shown tonight. It was a spectacular evening, especially for fans of Melodic Death Metal, as three of the top Swedish bands delivered outstanding performances. Both the city of Glasgow and the bands poured their hearts out, making the debut night of the Rising From The North Tour truly memorable.
Photographs by John Brown Photography
