Beyond The First Three Songs: The Photographic Mind Of Sabrina Ramdoyal

Photography is an art. Simple as. The impact of a singular photo can speak a thousand words. We here at Distorted Sound are lucky to have a wonderful team of photographers that capture the spark, the power and the beauty of live performances of the bands we cover in a live capacity. Manchester-based Sabrina Ramdoyal, our Head of Photography, has been blessing our live galleries with her incredible shots for four years now and she’s one of the best photographers in the business. Ahead of this year’s Heavy Music Awards nominations closing this Friday, in which she is nominated for Best Photographer, we asked Sabrina to run through her favourite photographs she has taken for Distorted Sound. Take it away Sab!

NE OBLIVISCARIS – Rebellion, Manchester – 2016

I remember putting my name forward to be part of Distorted Sound’s live photography arsenal before this show became my first assignment with the respected publication. This had tested my abilities within a venue that has no photo pit and of a Australian progressive metal band I’ve heard for the first time. This photo shows Tim Charles [violinist & clean vocals] welcomed their crowd with a violin solo [the new guitar solo perhaps] up close and personal. As the settings were a little dark, I lowered the shutterpseed to ensure I caught the exact moment just as the song reached its peak, showing the band’s true colours.

BEHEMOTH – The O2 Ritz, Manchester – 2019

Remembering the Polish force supporting DEVILDRIVER’s 2009 Manchester O2 Academy 2 show, to now fast forwarding ten years and they’re headlining the sold-out Manchester O2 Ritz! BEHEMOTH are a very animated cast with high-end production and an ever-evolving sound. When this moment was captured, I wanted to illustrate how the hurdles have earned BEHEMOTH their rightful place in being one of most vital extreme metal bands in the metal world. Using the high stage of the venue along with a small splash of warmth on Nergal when stepped on the podium, this painted the band’s power and guiding light into one of the best nights of 2019 from their UK tour.

GHOST – O2 Academy, Birmingham – 2017

Touching tongues of those who have come across the controversial group, GHOST are undeniably one of the high-ranked bands to land in our cochleas. I can still remember first seeing them as supports alongside IN FLAMES & TRIVIUM in 2011, where the original Papa Emeritus came before us. Shooting their third era was GHOST at their best and headlining the sold-out Birmingham O2 Academy demonstrated their impact. What I love about their show was how their mass was charming throughout the night. So, with this image, Tobias Forge aka Papa Emeritus III gave the time for The Nameless Ghoul to spellbind their congregation with a guitar and stood poised for a few second before cruising over to the other side of their stage. After their show ended, the Swedes were announced as Bloodstock Festival headliners, showing GHOST earned their rightful spot after the night.

ARCHITECTS – O2 Victoria Warehouse, Manchester – 2019

The UK metal scene is becoming one of the strongest the community is experiencing. The question remains as to which band would lead the charge in years to come? ARCHITECTS could be one of those bands who have come such a long way from many unexpected tribulations. What I particularly like about the photograph is within the sea of red, you’ll have a light at the other end of the tunnel. This was taken just before the photographers were escorted after the third song. As I was walking away from my territory, the chords of Nihilist shattered and roared fire! Looking back, it was the moment that the calm turned a sold-out night into a raw celebration.

DAWN RAY’D – Rebellion, Manchester – 2018

To think that DAWN RAY’D are from the North of England and within the underground black metal scene, it made them more interesting subjects. This was the first time that I have come across the band and their sound. I remember when I walked into the venue from a bitter evening and saw the flags were illuminated with strong flood lights fully covering the stage. What I relished from the set was the environment created from the sharp white light played the overall role when their music was displayed. Especially this was one of their tranquil moments bagged before splintering the small venue, further testing me to capture an environment that was not created by venue lights, but through the settings on my camera and what the black metal band envisioned.

FEVER 333 – O2 Academy 2, Manchester – 2019

You’d would probably recognise a certain lead singer from the certain disbanded LETLIVE.. I couldn’t hold back when this show was available to shoot! It was a very good decision to as there were no support acts and it was a sold-out show when I arrived to the venue. Just over an hour attack on the senses and pure love to their fans. This was memorable as I was the only photographer who noticed Jason Butler [lead vocals] kneeling on the right hand side [the singer’s stage left]. While taking the photo, the crowd went ballistic and the lights blared like police sirens while Out Of Control was played. The Californians made the photographers work hard to obtain their stories of the night, which was one of the pleasures as a music photographer.

BURY TOMORROW – O2 Ritz, Manchester – 2018

There are moments where you’ve seen a UK band going from strength to strength and selling out many UK venues in their career, you can tell BURY TOMORROW are destined for many great things. The Southampton metalcore quintet are a flourishing act with an even stronger fanbase. At their sold-out Manchester O2 Ritz concert, it’s with a little bit of luck and getting the right moment first time makes the photo. I remember the chaos between the crowdsurfers coming over the barrier and security being legends while handling photographers and the crowd. The photographers were moved to the side as security safely caught a crowdsurfer. As it happened, the fan extended her hand to grasp Dan Winter-Bates’ hand for a quick moment to take with her. This was Creation of Adam‘s painting by Michelangelo being photographically recreated.

HATEBREED – O2 Academy 2, Manchester – 2019

Destroy Everything was HATEBREED’s motto and they did just that! Sometimes, you do not need perfect lighting to create a band’s story. I remember feeling quite frustrated when the first three songs that the Connecticut smashers played to their audience, it was surrounded with red lighting with only a few spots of colour. It turned out that was the main theme for their whole set. When I began the post production process, this grabbed my attention on how I’ve captured all members doing their part to be one of the best live hardcore bands. So, I edited some of the details and deepened the red tones with some contrast. In that way, HATEBREED pops in the photograph rather than making the photo look flat and resorting to black & white conversion.

MYRKUR – Gorilla, Manchester – 2018

“Use the whole stage to create what MYRKUR is visually AND sonically” were the words my fiancé said when taking photos of one half of Folkesange, a taste of folk influences before the second half featured the complete polar opposite of blistering black metal. I embraced the stage surroundings, which replicated the delicate forests. I knew when I took the photo of Amalie Bruun with the warmth highlighting her banging the Vegvisir [a Viking ritual drum], it reinvented a fable of peeping through the branches in curiosity of what was echoing through the space and seeing Bragi [the Norse goddess of music & poetry] as our answer. You can say Manchester was transfixed from the sight by the empress.

PIST – The Bread Shed, Manchester – 2019

My roots as a music photographer came from photographing the local scene, giving me the chance to experience the ins and out of the craft. This was a rather special night within the Manchester metal scene as I was given the opportunity to photograph PIST at their comeback show for Distorted Sound’s New Blood front cover and feature. This was one of the moments where the sentiment kicks and just by the gaze of their eye contact during their slower number that gave the picture of how much the night was enjoyed by the response given by their fans and their friends. Once again, the lights don’t be to be dazzling or perfect in order to invent an ever-lasting memory.

ULCERATE – The Star & Garter, Manchester – 2019

It’s quite the rarity to see an extreme metal band from the other side of the world and much admiration were directed towards ULCERATE for their non-conventional approach to death metal. Their fans were given an awe-inspiring aural experience and after seeing the New Zealand outfit for the first time, I couldn’t help being fascinated. However, it turned out that their whole set was surrounded with red lighting. Much like other shows where lighting was not the best [red, green and blue lighting are your worst enemies], I lowered the shutterspeed to bring the band from the sea of red. While in post production, I avoid taking the black and white conversion route. By reducing noise details and heightening the red environment with contrast and a little bit of clarity, ULCERATE stands out in the final look.

ANTHRAX – O2 Academy, Manchester – 2017

What would be your typical Valentine’s Day celebration? With your loved one? With yourself? Or with your loved ones celebrating with one of finest thrash metal legends? I remember this night very well when the concert was a tale of two halves – one was a selection of their finest songs and the second was the iconic Among The Living album in full. This picture was taken during A.I.R and the first taken before I even thought about camera settings! I was quite afraid to review the photo thinking it would have been out of focus. But it turned out great while editing, and the band approved of this image as well as others being shared on their social media’s! I even had the pleasure of watching the band side stage for the rest of the night! ANTHRAX claimed the Madhouse!

BATUSHKA – Rebellion, Manchester – 2017

When the Distorted Sound team gave me the gig to shoot this sold-out show, I simply couldn’t resist! Everything from the candles being lit from the cold weather and the violence that was displayed [don’t worry, no-one was hurt] made the evening exquisite. Since the venue had no photopit area, I had to re-create little safe havens to hold my camera in the air in order to create a rabid setting, along with my gear and myself staying intact! This photo shows a scene that you would see in The Wickerman film – vehement, hypnotising and souls being sold before their cult leaders. This was a great memory shown in chaos.

GRAND MAGUS – O2 Academy 3, Manchester – 2020

This should have been a sold-out show! But it was a packed Manchester O2 Academy 3 show nonetheless for the Swedes and especially when the crowd love to imitate the infamous wails from singer that impressed the band. It was a lovely fun night that was full of close friends and it made the shooting experience easier. You wouldn’t think GRAND MAGUS are a photogenic band when capturing their territory so with this little beam of light suddenly coming off from the fretboard of the Janne Chrisoffersson’s [lead vocals and guitars] Gibson guitar, it paints the perfect setting to show their audience as successors to their Swedish invasion!

PAGAN – The Star & Garter, Manchester – 2019

Recently, the Australian metal scene have been making waves [excuse the pun] into our metal community. In this case, PAGAN released Black Wash in 2018 and was one of my top records of that year. Their blend of punk rock chiming black metal influences was fresh and feisty. The opportunity of shooting the quartet’s show made that everlasting impression. They know how to manoeuvre Manchester and embrace the delightful occasion with smiles. Sadly, this was the first and last time that I’ve got to witness an innovative metal band from down under. Showing off their personality when I press the camera button, the enchantress Nikki Brumen took a sip of beer and let it flow all over, blessing their altar while her cohorts got set for Year Of The Dog, which whipped all into a frenzy!

PERSEFONE – The Asylum 2, Birmingham – 2018

This was more of a family affair with Andorra’s finest technical metal band. For a small show of 20-30 fans, the lighting for the night was absolutely luscious and I may have taken a little too many photos from the night! Predominantly, I love whenever lead singer Marc Martins Pia would have a little support next to the barricade and pipe his vocal through the room while a bright light highlighted the member against a sea of colour several times so the photographers can interpret the exact moment. It is one of my adored photos as Marc was centre stage, right near my camera lens and belted a deep note or two. I remember the night being a little bonkers, but that made the show passionate from the progressive metallers!

SABATON – O2 Apollo, Manchester – 2017

With increased size in venues comes increased production ideals, and the ever-reliable tank, there are increased visuals serving give each a distinct identity. With a plethora of nine albums, who doesn’t enjoy a little Swedish invasion with songs of war and an education to boot? Even better, who doesn’t like a good group photo from the mighty SABATON?! I knew from previous shows that all members would be at the front of the stage during Ghost Division. So, I took my position and captured my best photo from this moment that brought their sold-out crowd to the ground with unifying roars and delight. It also gave all of Manchester the opportunity to witness new guitarist Tommy Johansson along with his possessed talents. All members were illuminated perfectly and as expected, SABATON were entertaining and bang loads of fun, which made my shooting adventure easier.

SLAYER – Manchester Arena, Manchester – 2018

I and another two photographers were chosen to be a part of this particular show as it was aimed to be a memorable trice on their final tour. It was mentioned that all three songs given expected to have fire! For people who know me, I love pyrotechnics in concerts. Fire constructs a sense of controlled chaos that opens a portal into another world. Since I pressed the camera button, I instantly fell in love with the vibes of SLAYER unleashing their music history. This will forever be one of the most artistic photos I’ve taken of Tom Araya showing Manchester the final chapter. I have photographed the influential thrash metal band quite a few times and to be asked to catch the legends for the final time at Manchester Arena was an absolute honour to be a part of.

TREMONTI – O2 Ritz, Manchester – 2018

After missing Mark Tremonti’s solo tours a few times, I was very ecstatic when I got the confirmation! The US collective were evidently filming their entire performance for a potential release, this further heighten the excitement in the venue [spoiler alert]. Striding out to thunderous applause, the quartet waste zero time giving the performance that you would expect from the guitar maestro. Now, this was not an easy task. Before their set, all photographers were only allowed to use the right side of the stage to photograph due to the camera men filming. We all had no prior warning, so we had to use the space that was given at last minute. When Tremonti walked towards the photographers and set his whammy pedal alight, that was the only moment when I had to grab his personality and the overall feel of the fantastic evening.

WARDRUNA – Albert Hall, Manchester – 2018

How can I explain this little number? For those who were lucky enough to obtain a ticket to witness this little grand spectacle, they will tell you every little chime was embraced from the echoing halls of the sold-out church hall. This was the first time that WARDRUNA explored the North and leader Einar Selvik was humbled by the response from a standing ovation, which lasted for approximately over two minutes before playing Snake Pit Poetry! Although the stage was very high, it did not stop me from creating Einar‘s tale by being illuminated with a single spotlight looking out into his horizons, captivating Manchester with an aural world of conventional stories about Norse Mythology and their traditions. What can I say about the Norwegian powerhouse? Apart from… delightful?

INSOMNIUM – O2 Academy 3, Manchester – 2020

Things in this particular show got a little emotional as was given the call to photograph one of my all-time favourite Finnish melodic death metal bands. Their clever incorporation of melancholic charms and melodic hooks ensured the band captivated the audience’s attention throughout their performance. What I wanted to generate was a tunnel vision feeling when you watch a band that has a touching impact from a performance. I caught this one while they tolled Through The Shadows. While putting the final touches to the photo, I’ve cleaned up any distracting aspects from the photo and gave them the vivid cold perspective describing their sound pictorially.

DRAGONFORCE – O2 Academy 2, Manchester – 2019

From the visual design and on-screen animations on stage, everything was considered down to the last detail. I treasured the two huge arcade cabinets displaying famous scenes from arcade classics. It shows the little nerd inside of us! I knew DRAGONFORCE was going to be a whole lot of fun to grab in their colourful territory, especially when I craved to capture the infamous guitar duel between Herman Li and Sam Totman whenever their solo hits the speakers. With lights & lasers blazing, the insane noodlers climbed on the centre podium and I pressed the camera button! As the pair competed away, I wanted to latch on the moment where the guitar shrieks hit. With this in mind, I kept going until further inspection after the set. DRAGONFORCE went all out with the theatrics, who doesn’t stand still and make for great photographic scenes.

ROYAL REPUBLIC – O2 Academy 2, Manchester – 2019

Through a recommendation from friends who were fans, I couldn’t resist shooting AND editing the final images when the assignment came up. The Swedish quartet are on a roll ever since they rocked up the scene. Principally in the live front, where an immense reputation of their chaotic fun has accumulated their fanbase. As a music photographer, it was an absolute dream to shoot! Everything from the stage setup, to the gorgeous lighting and their vivacious energy. It was difficult to pick a favourite photo as there were so many! But, I did choose a full band picture of that energy from the evening. As ROYAL REPUBLIC would say – we’re going all in, it’s a win win. You can say that I am still looking for a sequin jacket!

RIVERS OF NIHIL – Rebellion, Manchester – 2018

Being the first band to perform to an intense crowd and impress all with a short set of just five songs, what RIVERS OF NIHIL have demonstrated was terrific. The American technical death metal quintet have released Where Owls Know My Name and you would expect the prospect of their live output to justify the hype. So, with this in mind, I wanted to take a photograph of just showing the whole band in their terrain, presenting to their spectators. Also, it did not matter about the colours from their show. It actually created the perfect introduction for RIVERS OF NIHIL and in gaining new fans by the time their set ended. I remember there was a circlepit or two, even a wall of death in the process.

TRIVIUM – O2 Academy, Manchester – 2018

For a quartet who have been going from strength to strength for over twenty years, it was worth celebrating when the band had announced it was a sold-out UK tour. Looking back at this, I am very grateful to be given the chance to catch them at their best. TRIVIUM have pull out all the stops and gave a show that was simply breathtaking. This moment was taken during the last thirty seconds of one of my favourite songs, Throes Of Perdition. You can see Matt Heafy signalling for their environment to go absolutely crazy and not regret it. Even I couldn’t hold back from busting a couple of moves in the photopit at that precise moment after the photo was taken. Nice one lads!

And that rounds off Sabrina’s top photographs for Distorted Sound! Voting for this year’s Heavy Music Awards closes at 17:00 BST on Friday, June 5th. Vote for Sabrina Ramdoyal here.