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In Flames (Arch Enemy, Soilwork) Live at Malmö, Malmö Arena
October 31
There are nights that live forever in the memory of metalheads, and Halloween 2024 is destined to be one of them. Malmö Arena was the site of one of the most explosive live metal shows of the year, featuring none other than In Flames, Arch Enemy, and Soilwork. Three Swedish titans of melodic death metal sharing the same stage? Yeah, that’s a lineup that sounds like it came straight from the devil’s own playlist.
For those who missed it, let me tell you—this wasn’t just a concert. This was a brutal sonic assault that left the crowd bleeding from the ears, begging for more. In this blog post, I’ll take you through the highs (and there were many) of this epic night of metal carnage.
Setting the Stage: Malmö Arena
First off, let’s talk about the venue. Malmö Arena is a beast of a venue, and on this particular night, it was packed to the brim with diehard metalheads. The energy in the room was palpable from the moment you walked in. As you looked around, you could feel the excitement building—people wearing black leather jackets, sporting patches from their favorite bands, faces painted for Halloween. The atmosphere was electric, to say the least.
Date of the Event: 2024-10-31
City: Malmö
Venue: Malmö Arena
Halloween isn’t just another day for metalheads—it’s practically our holy day. And what better way to celebrate than with some of Sweden’s most iconic melodic death metal bands tearing up the stage?
Soilwork: The Perfect Opening Assault
Opening for In Flames and Arch Enemy is no small task, but if anyone could pull it off, it’s Soilwork. The band came out swinging, ripping through tracks like “Stålfågel” and “Nerve” with precision and aggression. Their set was a masterclass in how to get a crowd fired up. The technicality of their playing was flawless, and Björn “Speed” Strid’s vocals were a brutal mix of raw power and melodic beauty.
If you’re familiar with Soilwork, you know they blend aggression and melody like nobody’s business. Their set was a reminder that they can switch between blistering riffs and soaring choruses without missing a beat. The crowd was more than happy to oblige, and by the time they launched into “The Chainheart Machine,” the mosh pit was already in full swing.
There’s something about hearing Soilwork live that makes their music hit even harder than it does on record. Maybe it’s the rawness, maybe it’s the energy, but one thing’s for sure—by the end of their set, they’d already set the bar high for the rest of the night.
Arch Enemy: A Molten Blast of Fury
Next up was Arch Enemy, and holy hell, they came to Malmö Arena to unleash fury. The band, fronted by the unstoppable Alissa White-Gluz, wasted no time getting into the thick of it. They opened with “The World is Yours,” and it was clear from the first note that this wasn’t going to be a subtle performance.
Arch Enemy is known for their combination of brutal riffs, melodic leads, and politically charged lyrics, and their live show amplified all of these elements tenfold. Michael Amott’s guitar work was razor-sharp, delivering those signature melodies that make Arch Enemy stand out in the melodic death metal scene.
Alissa, with her blue hair flying and growls that could make a demon cower, commanded the stage like a queen of the damned. Tracks like “War Eternal” and “Nemesis” were greeted with deafening roars from the crowd, and there’s no doubt that everyone in attendance felt the power of Arch Enemy coursing through their veins.
The band’s set was a reminder that melodic death metal doesn’t have to sacrifice brutality for melody. Arch Enemy has mastered the balance between the two, and watching them live is like being caught in a firestorm of sound.
By the time they closed with “We Will Rise,” the audience was ready to do just that—rise to their feet and scream their lungs out in unison with Alissa’s powerful roar.
In Flames: Melodic Death Metal Royalty
And now, the headliners. In Flames took the stage to an eruption of applause that could have probably been heard across all of Malmö. There’s a reason these guys are considered one of the founders of melodic death metal, and their performance that night was a testament to their legendary status.
Kicking off with “Cloud Connected”, In Flames immediately had the crowd eating out of their hands. Their setlist was a solid mix of new material and old classics, which is exactly what you’d want from a band with such a rich catalog. The newer tracks, like “I, The Mask” and “The End,” blended perfectly with fan favorites like “Only for the Weak” and “Take This Life”.
Let me tell you, hearing “Only for the Weak” live is an experience. The whole arena was chanting the chorus back at Anders Fridén, fists in the air, heads banging in unison. It was one of those moments where you realize just how much In Flames means to the melodic death metal community.
Of course, no In Flames set would be complete without “The Jester Race,” and they did not disappoint. The dual guitar harmonies of Björn Gelotte and Chris Broderick cut through the air like knives, and it was clear the band was in top form.
Visually, In Flames put on a show to match their musical prowess. The stage was lit up with an impressive light show, flames (of course), and video projections that added an extra layer of intensity to their performance. The entire production was top-notch, making this one of the most visually stunning metal shows I’ve seen in a long time.
By the time they wrapped up the night with “My Sweet Shadow,” you could feel the exhaustion mixed with exhilaration in the crowd. It was one of those perfect moments where you’re completely drained but somehow feel more alive than ever.
The Crowd: Malmö Metalheads Represent
It wouldn’t be right to write about this concert without giving a shoutout to the Malmö metalheads. The energy from the crowd was insane. From the first note of Soilwork to the final encore from In Flames, the audience was relentless in their enthusiasm. The mosh pits were brutal, the chanting was loud, and the beer was flowing like water.
As the night went on, the connection between the bands and the audience became more palpable. Whether it was during the more melodic moments or the brutal breakdowns, everyone in the arena felt like they were part of something bigger—something raw and visceral.
Final Thoughts: A Night of Metal Perfection
The In Flames (Arch Enemy, Soilwork) Live at Malmö Arena concert wasn’t just a night of music—it was a celebration of everything that makes metal great. Three of Sweden’s finest bands, all under one roof, delivering performances that were as diverse as they were powerful. It’s a night that anyone lucky enough to be in attendance won’t soon forget.
For those of you who missed it (what were you even doing?!), make sure you don’t miss the next chance to catch these bands live. Whether it’s Soilwork’s technical mastery, Arch Enemy’s sheer power, or In Flames’ melodic brilliance, this was a concert that showed why Swedish melodic death metal is one of the most respected subgenres in the metal world.
And of course, if you want more takes on metal, politics, and everything else I love to tear apart, check out my blog at Haborymx.com. For all the latest updates, rants, and upcoming concert reviews, follow me on my socials: Xavi’s links.
Keep your horns raised, and I’ll catch you at the next gig.
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