Alter Bridge and Volbeat, Genting Arena, Birmingham - review and pictures

They are perhaps two of the best looking too, another treat; especially for the large number of female fans in the crowd.

Though it was clear many in the Genting Arena audience had turned out to see them in particular, Volbeat were the support act for Alter Bridge - and provided an excellent set to get the crowd moving.

The Danish heavy metallers attracted a huge fanbase, of a wide variety of ages - as we saw from the get-go; with a young girl losing her mind jumping up and down to our right, and a couple - aged around 50 or 60 - headbanging for their lives in front of us for the entirety of Volbeat's set.

The band looked and sounded great from the start - each of them dressed in black; delivering a tight, solid sound throughout.

They kicked off their set with 2016 number The Devil's Bleeding Crown - and instantly Michael's tremendous vocals astounded; his rich, strong, trademark voice rising above the gritty, thrilling hefty riffs and beats from the band.

Fan favourite Lola Montez followed; with the intro alone sparking screams from the crowd as they jumped to their feet to dance.

"How are you doing tonight?" beamed Michael, stood centre-stage in a leather cut; his short black hair slicked back rockabilly-style.

"Are you happy people? We are happy people from Denmark and we appreciate being here tonight."

Michael then demanded fans stand: "I know you've got feet," he screamed - before launching into a superb cover of Johnny Cash's Ring Of Fire - another display of his tremendous vocals.

Dead but Rising came next, before the band were joined by Barney Greenway of Napalm Death, who Michael referred to as one of his idols.

As if that wasn't enough excitement, the band then invited fans to rock out with them on stage - and around 30 took them up on their offer; headbanging, taking pictures and jumping around as the band played 2008 number Still Counting.

And it was wonderful. A thrilling set, with incredible vocals and stand-out musicianship.

My only complaint was the sound. It was not as clear as it could have been and during both Volbeat's and Alter Bridge's sets the bands - though tremendous - drowned out the vocalists; perhaps their biggest selling point.

But Alter Bridge were excellent nonetheless - and, actually, the fact the sound was slightly out did emphasise the talent of the band musically. I've never before truly appreciated what a talented band they are - their guitarist Mark Tremonti in particular was incredible.

Numbers such as Addicted to Pain and Ghost of Days Gone By were performed brilliantly, before the band announced it was Myles Kennedy's birthday.

"Good evening Birmingham," shouted Myles, dressed in a red t-shirt and jeans.

"This is awesome - look at all of you!

"I could not think of another place where I would rather be on my birthday."

Cry of Achilles - which featured some impressive guitar work from Myles - came next, though his vocals were largely drowned out by the music.

And, though he had already impressed as lead guitarist, fans were given a surprise treat when Mark Tremonti sang alongside the band; producing a wonderful voice, reminiscent of Incubus' Brandon Boyd.

An impressive set - filled with surprises and tremendous music.

And though Volbeat were the stand-out act of the evening for me, I would be delighted to see either act again.

By Kirsten Rawlins