Three bands from Sweden on the bill and all for around £20.00 I've got the Nexus album by Amaranthe, but the other two bands would be new to me.
Smash it to Pieces were already on stage when we got there a little after 6.30 pm, another early start so that the venue could be turned in to a 'club' for the evening. We'd be leaving the venue a few minutes after 9.30 pm!
Smash it Pieces were pretty good, in a kind of Staind way. Although I doubt I'll be rushing out to buy their debut album.
A short break and next up were Deals Death, described as melodic death metal on the metal archives website, whatever the description, they were great fun, loud, fast and not overcomplicated. They must have been growing their hair since they were about 10 as the stage was frequently just a mass of the stuff whirling round.
Another short break and on come Amaranthe, even louder than Deals Death but the acoustics were holding and all three vocalists (yes three!) were nice and clear. Formed in 2009 with 2 albums under their belt. There was a great atmosphere in the venue and both support bands were greeted enthusiastically but when Amaranthe took to the stage the crowd went in to overdrive, much punching of the air and devil horns alongside a few 'hearts' directed to female vocalist Elize Ryd. They raced through their set and included a good number of tracks from Nexus all of which sounded harder and heavier live, pity about the drum solo tho' I've never been a fan of them. All to soon they'd left the stage and the crowd were definitely up for more, so on comes the bassist and runs through a somewhat bizarre 'comedy' routine, it was all getting a bit Spinal Tap, but all was restored to normal when the rest of the band returned to the stage to finish with two songs from their Nexus album, Invincible and the title track. Great stuff and so it was time to leave the venue to the 'clubbers'. Apparently they are going to support Within Temptation on a tour in North America, if they are in your area get along to see them, you won't be disappointed.
Full playlist
Future On Hold, 1.000.000 Lightyears, Infinity, Automatic, Drum Solo, Burn With Me, Leave Everything Behind, Afterlife, Razorblade, Amaranthine ,Mechanical Illusion, Electroheart, Hunger, Theory of Everything, Call Out My Name, Encore: Invincible, The Nexus
