The closing song is вЂ Deathbed AtheistвЂ™, a very heavy fast paced song that causes an even bigger mosh pit to open up in the middle of the crowd. At the end of the third to last song Cory kicks his water bottle into the crowd and this gets a cheer from the crowd, and causes a few more empty cups to be thrown around between the crowd. ItвЂ™s not a bad thing that there isnвЂ™t much interaction just different to what I have seen over the years. As the set goes on, the band very rarely interact with the crowd and focus solely on the music theyвЂ™re playing and rehydrating after each song. During the third song of their set a large mosh pit opens up in the centre of the crowd, roughly around 15/20 people. Next song is вЂ Everyone Talking Over Everyone ElseвЂ™ from their album Polar Similar. A hard and heavy hitting song with growling vocals from lead singer Cory Brandan, epic guitar riffs from dual guitarists Philip Farris and Jeff Hickey, gut hitting bass lines from John FInnegan and hard hitting drums from Clayton Holyoak. Cory walks on stage and says вЂњWe are the Almighty Norma JeanвЂќ and they kick off their set with вЂ I. Norma JeanВ are a metalcore band that have been around since the early 2000вЂ™s and have had numerous lineup changes however this has not changed their fan base which going by tonightвЂ™s turn out is still very big. Norma Jean | Photos by Chris Ryan Photography The set finishes and I am blown away, this band is incredible, they have set the tone for the night! Next up is Norma Jean. As the crowd have done throughout the set they sing at the top of their lungs.

To end this incredible opening band play вЂ Die AloneвЂ™. We are approaching the end of the set and at the end of every song the crowd is screaming and cheering, just looking at the bands faces you can see that this means everything to them. вЂ Consume The DamnedвЂ™ is played and it is much heavier than the other songs in this set, but it showcases the whole bands talent. After вЂ Lost In FireвЂ™ and вЂ VirusвЂ™ is played Howard asks with a smile вЂњDo you like it heavyвЂќ the crowd responds with a thunderous cheer and guitarist Francesco Artusato, drummer Mike вЂњScuzzвЂќ Sciulara, and bassist Ryan Wombacher jump into action. The song finishes and Howard starts what I can only describe as sniffing the air, and says вЂњSmells like there is good people out thereвЂќ, crowd cheers, he goes onto say that Manchester is one of their favourite places to be. I am blown away by the power of Howard JonesвЂ™s (ex lead singer of Killswitch Engage) voice and how the whole band gives you chills.

The next song up is вЂ Calm Before The StormвЂ™ which gets another huge crowd response.

They kick off the set with вЂ The Bitter EndвЂ™ from their album Revival, with the crowd singing back every word. The lights dimmed and the crowd were screaming, everyoneвЂ™s on their feet including the upper floor as Light The Torch hit the stage. Light The Torch | Photos by Chris Ryan Photography Before the first band came on the venue was packed with fans and the atmosphere was infectious.В We were in for a night of mosh pits, crowd surfers and head banging, as In Flames,В Norma Jean andВ Light The Torch took over the O2 Ritz in Manchester.

I am alive song light the torch