Thursday October 23rd saw a healthy dose of metal arrive in Bristol as the legendary Finnish power metal band Battle Beast descended on the O2 Academy, accompanied by Swedish symphonic metallers Majestica and German power metallers Dominum. Three bands with their own distinctive styles, perfectly complementing each other to form an epic evening of drama, sparkles, theatrics and high energy metal.
Majestica: Kicking off the evenings proceedings were Majestica, formed by ex-Sabaton alumni Tommy Johansson, accompanied by Chris David on bass, Petter Hjerpe on guitar and Joel Kollberg on drums. It’s not easy to be the opening band on a school night but you can always rely on Bristol. The room is pleasingly full despite the early hour and the crowd responded electrically to being hit by the proverbial Power Train as the opening riff resounded. Majestica were an excellent choice as an opener for the evening, delivering a high-octane setlist that didn’t so much as ease the crowd in but submerged them forcibly under a symphonic metal tsunami.
Despite the openers not having the longest set time, they used the time and choice of songs effectively to fully showcase exactly who they are as a band. You can truly see and appreciate their growth and they have taken every opportunity to take their live show to a level above. From the first song, the Majestica fans assembled down front were singing along and by the end the whole audience were chanting together, Metal United, Alliance Forever, cohesive as the band were tight.
You could sense the moment the crowd surrendered to the inevitable and began to bask in the power metal glow that makes one feel as though you could challenge even the most vicious and deadly of mythological creatures single-handed and come away as the victor. This was a dramatic, well thought out, fast paced and powerful set, laced with fast, blazing riffs and pure unfiltered epicness.
Dominum: These guys knew how to hype up and engage with a crowd. With Dr. Dead on vocals, Patient Zero on bass, Victor Hilltop on drums, and Tommy Kemp on guitars the theming was strong from the outset. Add some gruesome stage outfits, powerful, crushing and at times doomy riffs, melodic, gothic vocals, and a hint of impending Zombie apocalypse and you have a superb blend of components for an excellent live (or rather undead) metal show.
From ominous build-ups to outrageously catchy choruses, Dominum succeeded in bringing the crowd under their gothic, theatrical spell. Juxtaposing a setlist heavily featuring the theme of death with songs such as “We All Taste The Same” and “The Dead Don’t Die” which all had far catchier melodies and riffs than the titles would initially suggest; to getting the whole room roaring along to an absolutely blistering cover of the Scorpions “Rock You Like a Hurricane”, Dominum more than understood their assignment for the evening. Blending eye-catching, disturbing concept visuals with epic orchestration and snarling vocals, this band had an undeniable presence. They promised to be back soon as we are all looking forward to it!
Battle Beast: The main event; the venue was packed; and by this point the crowd were so ready!
Pummelling the audience from the off by opening with Straight to the Heart, Battle Beast came out swinging with their intent for the evening. With many bands you may think it risky opening with such a popular number, but that’s the beauty with Battle Beast – with so many great songs to choose from, whatever songs are on the setlist and in whatever order they play them in, you won’t find yourself shortchanged. From start to finish they smashed out crowd pleaser after crowd pleaser, starting with hits like “Master of Illusion” and “Last Goodbye”, delivering an empowering, exhilarating, high energy set with an extra helping of glitter and sparkles. Despite the pressures and pitfalls of being on a long tour, Noora’s distinctive voice remained unfazed and unmatched.
As the evening progressed, we witnessed the ultimate fusion of genres when Twilight Cabaret began and the audience were introduced to Salsa Metal. Bassist Eero Sipilä moved us all with an unexpected Elton John cover of “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” which added (in their words) a little sprinkling of romance to the evening and reminded everyone in the venue that no matter how extreme your musical taste, there is always room for a cheesy cover. With a vocal projection that has to be heard live to be believed, impossibly catchy hooks and riffs, and bass lines that would entice even the most stone hearted among us to tap a toe against their will, Battle Beast threw a party that everyone was invited to. Their message is clear: they are here to bring people together and make metal fun again. You can see how much they love what they are doing, and that is infectious. They perform from the heart. It’s impossible to watch them and not feel happy.
As well as an absolutely insane vocal ability, Noora Louhimo has a one of a kind stage presence. She commands the stage and captivates the audience – quite possibly helped by what may well be the most magnificent stage outfit in recent history. But that’s not there to detract from, or to compensate for, anything. The songs speak, rasp, and scream, for themselves. What is even more remarkable is the contrast between the soft gentle voice uses to speak to the crowd, before she launches into leading a crowd sing along of Eden, acapella, with full, soul-deep, rasping power.
Ending the set on a high that had the whole room moving with statement tracks “King for a Day” and “Wings of Light” for the encore, after an evening of top form metal, Battle Beast reminded us all why they were the headliners. As the final notes of the encore resound and the venue lights flicker on, there is a vibrant buzz in the air.
As I look around, everyone is smiling. At a time where ‘real life’ is becoming more grim and depressing than ever, Battle Beast successfully managed to transport us all into a far more pleasant alternative realm for a little while, in which we all received a very important reminder from our fun loving Finns to embrace the moment, be nice to each other and not take things too seriously. There is still magic to be found out there. Go and watch Battle Beast and you might just find it for yourself.
Setlist:
The Long Road (Instrumental) – taped intro
Straight to the Heart
Master of Illusion
Last Goodbye
Here We Are
No More Hollywood Endings
Eye of the Storm
Blood of Heroes
Can You Feel the Love Tonight (Elton John cover)
Where Angels Fear to Fly
Watch the Sky Fall
Twilight Cabaret
Bastard Son of Odin
Angel of Midnight
Steelbound
Eden
Encore:
The Long Road (Instrumental)
King for a Day
Wings of Light
Top Gun Anthem – taped outro
Words & images: Kate Elfström
