M. Shadows sits onstage in a chair, face covered by a black balaclava, as the progressive tones of Game Over ring out across Donington – a place most associated with the straight-up metal of Iron Maiden and Slipknot. The opening track of Last year’s Life Is But A Dream… it set the tone for a record that was experimental, uncompromising, and did not give a fuck what you thought about it. There’s a chance tonight’s performance could fall into that bracket – but it doesn’t.
Shadows pulls off the balaclava for Mattel, while screens behind him show a white picket fence and a dream home fallen into disrepair, which soon go up in a raging blaze. It sounds heavier and more menacing live, the double kick pushing through. Then he addresses the crowd – “Donington, are you ready to have some fun?” he asks. “I wanna hear you scream!” – before they rewind 17 years for a chunky Afterlife. By this point, it’s clear they got they’ve got the brief.
