Trivium @ Ironworks, Inverness, 11 March

It's not often that metal bands, let alone a band like Trivium, bother their arses to head this far north, so it's no surprise the Ironworks is rammed sideways tonight. Priming these fans for the main event, Chimaira could easily be mistaken for headliners in their own right as the crowd erupt, clattering into each other with almost tribal intent, battering their fists in the air and screaming all they can remember to brutal gems like Power Trip and Worthless.

Trivium soon bound onstage, barely allowing the grins to fall from their faces as they churn this sweaty, vibrating mass into a circle-pit with synchronised pogoing and word-for-word singalongs from every pair of lips in attendance. The band are on top form, locking in tight and trading solos with enough time to wave their "horns" to hordes of camera-phone-wielding punters. Set staples like Anthem (We Are The Fire) and Pull Harder On The Strings Of Your Martyr, as well as new single Shattering The Skies Above are devoured and spat back in an excitable frenzy. The obligatory "you guys are the greatest" sentiments are soon doled out, but it would be hard not to see why. Slayer next then, anyone? [Ryan Drever]