In 2013 you would struggle to find a better live metal band than Grand Magus. Sweden’s preeminent power-trio craft the kind of hulking metal anthems perfect for arenas and mud-sodden festivals around the world. Last found causing whiplash on Irish soil backing Amon Amarth in March of 2012, Grand Magus return to Dublin for a headline show at The Pint on a frosty Sunday night in February. Support comes in the form of Terminus and Primatai; two bands who deal in traditionally crafted metal tunes. However, it’s Primatai who impress the most, and the crowd shout and applaud in appreciation of a set of songs which match the musicianship of Accept to the hooks and stage moves of a young Guns ’n’ Roses.

The last sting of the night’s chill passes the minute the Grand Magus’s molten metal pours out of the venue’s heaving sound system. ‘Kingslayer’ kicks things off, and from here, Grand Magus treat fans to a veritable treasure-trove full of highlights from their recent heavyweight albums. In between grimacing under the weight of the granite-filled riffs of ‘I, The Jury’, ‘Silver Into Steel’, and the PA-buckling doom of ‘Wolf’s Return’, vocalist and guitarist JB Christoffersson—who is now rocking the Jack Nicholson circa ‘Wolf” look—seems genuinely happy to be amongst his Irish brethren. Judging by the yeasty odour of spilt beers which permeate the coffin-like venue and the horned fists that pound the air to each song, the crowd are equally happy to have Grand Magus on our fair shores. It is a refreshing sight to witness such smiles affixed upon the faces of metal fans and musicians alike; especially in a genre known for hard exteriors and perma-scowls.

A taut drum solo from Ludwig Witt follows ‘When The Oar Strikes The Water’, which gifts JB and bassist Fox Skinner the rare opportunity to crack open a cold one, before airing the already-classic ‘The Hunt’ to cheers all round. A rousing sing-along greets the flawless vocal hooks of ‘Valhalla Rising’ and a resounding rendition of ‘Iron Will’ is dedicated to Primordial frontman Alan Averill, who could be found up the front head-banging along to the entire set, with the crowd clapping along in a scene that betrays an ordinarily casual Sunday night in Dublin. But that is the true sign of mighty live musicians: to possess the power to take you away from the worries of the world and transport you to a higher plane with their music. And as this engaging trio take a bow after the ever-dominant ‘Hammer of the North’ while the crowd continue to sing well after the song‘s conclusion, tonight it’s clear Grand Magus have accomplished just that.