Five Finger Death Punch with Shadows Fall

Wolverhampton's Wulfrun Hall has brought us more than it's fair share of top bands in attempt to try and sate the appetite of the metal hungry crowds stretched throughout the Midlands. Tonight is no exception. With a 1,200 (approx.) capacity, which was SOLD OUT for tonight's double headlining show with SHADOWS FALL and FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, the hall is filled to the rafters with metalers ranging the ages from a couple of 10 year olds to your average joe bikers decked out in leather. Trust me, They had 'em all here tonight!

Dutch metal band MagnaCult(2/5) start off the show, pretty much before the Civic Hall even had chance to fully fill up, but with four bands playing tonight - you gotta get straight to it. Your typical, run-of-the-mill heavy metal band, with some minor qualities somewhat similar to that of American Head Charge thrown into their mix. Yet they struggle to please the crowd, but with a long night awaiting them until the headliners appear, the moshers remain despondent to their efforts.
Quickly following are Londoners RISE TO REMAIN (2/5). The young quintet spring into action head on, giving their best with a reminscent sound of Bullet For My Valentine, but not quite pulling it off. Having some easy to follow tunes, and some good riffs to mosh to is all very well and good, but tonight, the crowd are having none of it; clearly only wanting the headliners. In a desperate attempt to win over fans, Vocalist Austin Dickinson throws cans of what appears to be Beer and Lager into the audience. Not a bad move my friend, not a bad move at all. But even with the lure of free beer; They still want only their headliners. Explaining their shortfall with: "We've had no sound check, so if we suck, we apologise", the only thing I can say in response to that is; your short comings certainly don’t end at the lack of soundcheck.

American thrash metal band SHADOWS FALL (3.5/5) take to the stage with much welcomed screams of adoration and encouragement from the audience. Starting off with 'The Path of Iminent Ruin'; backed by a sudden array of strobe lighting so shocking, its enough to make even the healthiest in the crowd shy away in fear of an epileptic fit. All in the name of fun, right guys? The band are a relief after the arduous and dull wait during the previous bands until this point. Front row has never been as dangerous as tonight, as vocalist Brian Fair's knee-length dreads are spinning in a frenzy, whipping the crowd into submission in a whirlwind like effect showing that he owns the fucking stage and isn't afraid to die for his cause! (and take the crowd with him!) Fair surely knows how to keep the crowd buzzing, as he addresses the audience with “Lets see those lighters -I wanna see a fucking metal show!" to which every member of the audience who HAS a lighter, has them lit and in the air at his request. Seconds later he’s in the audience! Fair knows how to show his crowd the love with his stage dive which definitely impressed beforethe team of security are quickly tearing him from the loving embrace of his audience. Fair hops around the stage constantly, doesn't faulter under the pressure of entertaining, and asks, nay, he fucking demands that every single being in the audience is moving! SHADOWS FALL prove to be a refreshing metal band you can really let your hair down with and have a good mosh to!

And last but not least, the band that the majority of tonights audience have been queuing and dying of thirst for; FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH (4/5). Hailing from America, FFDP last saw themselves reaching our shores on the main stage of Download 2009, welcomed with open arms, and tonight is no different. Considering they formed only in 2005, they have a huge following here in the UK. Before the band take their place on stage, the audience are screaming for the band. One half "Five Finger..." and the rest "DEATH PUNCH!!" in a chant to lure their heroes out on stage.

The quintet take to the stage during a blackout to a backing track, and the moment those lights hit the stage, the crowd are off in wild excitement, moshing and singing from the get go to first track "Burn It Down". The afforementioned kids in the front are jumping with happiness, decked out in FFDP merch, it's really quite a touching sight. Vocalist Ivan Moody is quick to step on their previous co-headliner's toes, screaming "You guys awake now? This is your... SALVATION!" to which he is applauded to the sound of brilliant screams while the mosh pit doubles in size. Moody is no doubt seen as a saviour indeed, as he sprays the audience with water, followed by "SOMEBODY FUCKING SCREAM...!!" and responded with one hell of a loud scream from somewhere admist the audience. Catchy tune, from same titled album "The Way Of The Fist" hits the back walls in a burst of pride. Heavy riffs yet still tuneful, unlike some of the monotonous pap previously played. The whole audience are signing along, so much so that Moody even has a chance to pause and enjoy the revelation that they're much loved here tonight. With a searing solo from Hungarian-born guitarist Zoltan Bathory the audience are relentless and seem determined to prove a point. They love this band!!
The soft and harmonious ballad "Bad Company" shows off Moody's vocals in a surprising twist to the evening. A sound reminiscent of Staind, only better, FFDP show that they are more than just adrenaline pumped aggressive metalers, - despite what the knuckle dusters on the mic would lead you to believe!- There's another side to every story, and there's no exception here. The much loved "Never Enough" is next, the song played with a flawless performance and a definite favourite, shows FFDP know how to capture the audience both musically and performance-wise while the crowd are tearing each other apart in a pit of death, swirling like a whirlpool in the middle of the crowd. Moody declares his need to see crowd surfers during "Dying Breed" and calling out for every one to crowd surf and shake his hand. A well offered stunt there, as body after body flood across the sea of arms for that promised handshake before being thrown back in to resume that seemingly tireless pit.
After leaving the stage the band are summoned back for an encore, and saving the best til last, FFDP deliver "The Bleeding" the perfect song to finish such an outstanding performance. Glancing around the audience every hand is thrust high in the air to the chorus of 1200 voices singing along, proof that this band are the true stars of the night.

As the curfew ensues, and the exhausted sweaty bodies drag themselves towards the door for some fresh air, the atmosphere is electric from the death punch effect and it's all the folks can talk about even half way down the street and into the town. Five Finger Death Punch definitely left their impression and were on most of people's lips from start to finish.