MUSIC should not be about genre, if it’s good then it’s good, and on Sunday night, American metal band Lamb of God were good very good.

With support bands, Huntress & Decapitated delivering outstanding sets, the atmosphere was close to fever pitch by the time the headliners hit the stage to an almighty roar from the near capacity crowd.

Lamb of God, may not be to everyone’s taste, but there is no question about the passion, commitment and shear quality of the playing, the band displayed. From the opening mini drum solo, heralding a blistering rendition of Desolation, it was obvious that the band from Richmond, Virginia were firing on all cylinders.

Frontman Randy Blythe led the audio assault with determination and sincerity, as he took the fans through a set list that, just didn’t have a bad song in it. Particular highlights of the evening included outstanding versions of Walk with me in Hell and in your Words.

The between song banter with the audience, proved that Blythe and his fellow band members, Willie Adler, John Campbell, Chris Adler and Paul Waggoner, standing in for long time guitarist Mark Morton, not only know how to play well but also how to put on a professional show.

With an effective light display and the clearest and purest sound that the Guildhall has ever heard, the evening was a triumph to not only Lamb of Gods music but also to their love of what they do, along with their desire to make sure that the fans get the best live experience they can.

A point that was not lost on the massive mosh pit, in the centre of the hall, which came to life from the very start and only grew in size as the gig continued. The energy levels of the fans moshing it up didn’t ease up for the whole evening, a lesson obviously taken from the band who played each song with just that little bit more energy than the previous one.

By the time the band had left the stage, to the lingering notes of Black Label, the sweaty and in some cases shirtless fans disappeared into the cold rainy night, with their ears ringing and a sense that they had just witnessed metal delivered as it should be, exceptionally.