Live report WHILE SHE SLEEPS, MALEVOLENCE, THROWN & RESOLVE, Grosse Freiheit 36, Hamburg – November 24th, 2024

Tonight there is some metalcore on the agenda as While She Sleeps will be playing at Hamburg’s Grosse Freiheit 36. It was almost ten years ago that I saw the band for the first time when While She Sleeps opened for In Flames at 013 in Tilburg, Netherlands. And as it was then, so it is now. Getting to the venue was a problem ten years ago and it’s not easy for the writer of this report to get there today. Sprayers along the subway tracks cause a 40-minute shutdown of Hamburg’s S-Bahn S3, and with such an unexpected interruption of the trip to the Reeperbahn, I arrive at the location as the last notes of the first band, Resolve, fade away. According to witnesses the guys delivered a good show, while for me the evening starts with a rather new outfit from Scandinavia.

Thrown is a young Swedish band and their debut album “Excessive Guild” was released this year. Now, towards the end of 2024, the guys have the chance to present their new songs live. Considering the reaction of the crowd, the songs, or at least the band, are already well known. With two guitars and no bass the four guys from Sweden play an extremely dynamic set and immediately have the crowd on their side.

There is no talking during the 30 minutes of untamed metalcore. The first pits can be observed and there are a lot of nodding heads during this 30 minutes energizer. Thrown used their momentum and probably gained some new fans tonight. I guess we will hear a lot more from these guys in the future.

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After a 20 minute stage change and some hip-hop songs all is ready for Malevolence. Expectations are already high as the guys put on a great show when they opened for Heaven Shall Burn in 2023. Tonight, Malevolence kick off their set with a bang. “Blood to the Leech” is a furious start of a 50 minute set that leaves a lasting impression. The five guys from Sheffield, UK obviously have a lot of fun and energy, which manifests itself in a show that turns the hall at Grosse Freiheit 36 into a madhouse. Constantly in action on stage, the guys know what their fanbase wants.

And it is loud tonight, as you can feel the groove throughout your entire body. The same goes for the jumping fans, both of whom really challenge the foundation of Grosse Freiheit 36.

Despite the focus on the current longplayer “Malicious Intent” the band also plays a new song. “Trenches” has just been released a few days ago and fits in perfectly with the rest of the thunderous setlist.

The softer moment comes when the band starts with “Higher Places” as the fans follow the band’s request to hold up lighters and flashlights while crowd surfing is the motto during the last song of this very energetic show. Well done Malevolence and for sure these guys set the bar high for the main act.

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As mentioned in the beginning, I have seen While She Sleeps ten years ago and I am curious about what this night has to offer. It seems that some fans came for Malevolence, as the room gets a little more spacious, but that the vast majority found their way to Grosse Freiheit 36 for While She Sleeps is obvious, as there is an ecstatic vibe in the room the moment the band enters the stage.

“PEACE OF MIND” kicks off a show that immediately builds on the sets of the previous bands. There is jumping and screaming on stage and on the floor. The more we get into the show the wilder the crowd gets and after frontman Lawrence Taylor “invited” the fans for some crowdsurfing the fans follow his request immediately. The security guys have a lot of work to do as there are new crowdsurfers arriving every second. The guys do a great job, handling the workload in a friendly and professional manner. This is what Taylor appreciates as he gives a special thank you to the guys.

It’s a metalcore party tonight, which includes the ‘sit down and jump up’ exercise during “SYSTEMATIC” as well as the lighters and flashlights being in action once again during “Four Walls”.

While She Sleeps and the bands supporting them on this tour made that Sunday a sweat-inducing experience. The almost sold out show reflected the status of these bands and it seems to be the sound of the metal youth. While She Sleeps ignited a metal party tonight and everyone who came to join in certainly got what they expected from this metalcore package.