Consequence’s Metal Week continues with our reporter/photographer Raymond Ahner’s review and gallery of Slayer’s headlining July 6th show in London, featuring support from Amon Amarth, Anthrax, Masotodon, Hatebreed, and Neckbreakker. Keep checking back for more Metal Week features, and be sure to check out our list of the 75 Best Metal Albums of All Time.
After announcing that they would take part in Black Sabbath’s “Back to the Beginning” concert, thrash metal titans Slayer added two UK headlining shows scheduled before and after the Sabbath’s final gig. The second of those shows took place in London’s Finsbury Park on Sunday (July 6th), and it included support from veteran metal heavyweights Amon Amarth, Anthrax, Mastodon, and Hatebreed, along with relative newcomers Neckbreakker.
On a day that went from rainy to sunny to rainy, the show opened with Neckbreakker, a five-piece death metal band out of Denmark. With a strong set and even stronger presence, they definitely did their job bringing the fans into the park and up to the massive stage early in the day.
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Up next were Hatebreed, who did not disappoint with their brief and to-the-point set. Highlights included “Looking Down the Barrel of Today” and “I Will Be Heard,” as frontman Jamey Jasta got the crowd to headbang, with multiple mosh pits going strong.
After a brief intermission, Mastodon hit the stage with new touring guitarist Nick Johnson, opening with “Tread Lightly.” The band tore through a setlist that included career highlights “Crystal Skull,” “Black Tongue,” and “Blood and Thunder.”
Anthrax were fourth, and as always, the band did not disappoint, playing a high energy eight-song set highlighted by “Madhouse” and “I Am the Law.” By the time they wrapped it up with “Indians,” the massive crowd was now primed and ready for the last two bands.
Opening their set with “Guardians of Asgaard,” viking metal stalwarts Amon Amarth commanded the stage, which included a giant viking helmet in the middle, as well as plenty of pyro. Vocalist Johan Hegg had the crowd singing along to every word — most notably on the participatory anthem “Put Your Back Into the Oar,” during which the the audience got on the ground and rowed along.
At last, six years after their last show in London, the legendary Slayer finally made their return, hitting the stage with “South of Heaven.” From there, it was a career-spanning 20 song setlist, complete with more pyro than could possibly be imagined.
After “Jihad,” frontman Tom Araya addressed the crowd, thanking them for being there and asking if they were ready. With a mighty roar of approval from the fans, Tom thanked them again — “That’s what I need to hear!” — before launching into “War Ensemble.”
High points from the set included “Chemical Warfare,” “Mandatory Suicide,” and “Hate Worldwide,” but the absolute moment came when they covered Black Sabbath’s “Wicked World,” as they has done the day before at the “Back to the Beginning” show.
After wrapping up their set with “Raining Blood” and “Angel of Death,” it was quite evident that Slayer’s return to London was triumphant, and that they are indeed still reigning.
See our photos of the London show, as well as fan-filmed video and Slayer’s setlist below.
Slayer Setlist:
South of Heaven
Repentless
Disciple
Die by the Sword
Jihad
War Ensemble
Chemical Warfare
Reborn
Mandatory Suicide
Born of Fire
Dead Skin Mask
Spirit in Black
Hate Worldwide
Seasons in the Abyss
Hell Awaits
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Wicked World (Black Sabbath cover)
Postmortem
Raining Blood
Angel of Death
