Live Review: POD, Chasing Lana, The Spitting Swallows

Despite their questionable name, The Spitting Swallows are a good choice to open. The enthusiastic quartet deliver an adrenalin shot of alternative rock to the crowd who nod along in appreciation.

Next up is Chasing Lana with their guitar-heavy, '90s-influenced offerings. They play loud and aggressive rock in the vein of Stone Sour and co. Frontman and guitarist Dave Cutting's passionate vocals are admirable and special mention must be made of drummer Chris Coote's hilarious facial expressions. Chasing Lana are a quality live act.

As House Of Pain's Jump Around blares through the speakers, red lights illuminate the stage as Californian collective Payable On Death (POD) finally appear. There's no chitchat as the quintet get stuck straight in with heavy rocker Set It Off. In a special treat for fans, the band play the majority of tracks from their most successful album Satellite. The song that started it all, Alive, receives a massive cheer as fists pump the air and everyone in attendance sings along like they're at karaoke. Vocalist Sonny Sandoval appears genuinely appreciative of our reaction: "You guys are amazing! Thanks so much." Sandoval then wades into the front rows for the explosive Boom before urging another mass singalong during the anthemic and still poignant Youth Of The Nation.

After the opening four songs it's clear Sandoval is struggling, with the frontman explaining he woke up after their recent show in New Zealand and knew something wasn't right with his voice. There's an identifiable crack when he sings, but Sandoval perseveres with a little help from his band and the excited crowd who are more than happy to fill in when needed.

The instrumental Celestial gives Sandoval a breather and is followed by the reggae-influenced Ridiculous, with one older gent nearby in the crowd streaming the entire song via Facebook Live. Deep album cuts The Messenjah, Masterpiece Conspiracy and the pummelling Ghetto are all included in the Christian rockers' enjoyable set. Thinking About Forever is dedicated to the deceased father of an audience member, which brings levity to proceedings, before the frantic Portrait explodes in a fury of grinding guitars and emo screams.

After completing Satellite Sandoval's voice is shot, but he admirably carries on for three more tunes before it's all too much. Southtown is a brutal hybrid of rock-rap. Rock The Party (Off The Hook) turns the pit into a mosh of sweaty bodies as Murdered Love brings it all to a crunching close. Despite Sandoval's vocal issues, POD do a tremendous job and prove that nu-metal is far from dead.