This year, Sirenia have been on tour non-stop throughout Europe. What makes them unique to every single band I have seen this year up until this point, is that this show is part of a UK-only tour which will wrap up in Swansea on the 17th. The one question that came to mind was if this bold move will be worth it for the fans and the band?
Touring for their latest album, 1977, which came out last year, Sirenia have been one of the busiest symphonic metal bands. Touring endlessly and visiting every place you could possibly think of. Tonight is Manchester’s turn.
The lineup for this tour consists of three bands. Symphonity kick the night off as the vocalist runs onto the stage and engages with the few people in attendance instantly. The drums sound ferocious as song after song the power metal double bass assault is constant. The guitar work on display is outstanding. The precision and execution of each solo is flawless, and all this builds up to the best moment of the set. The only ballad of the night is played to the usual sea of mobile phone flashlights. What makes this moment special, is the fact that the room is nearly empty, meaning that for the people in attendance, this is very much a moment of unity between the metalheads who are in attendance for this. Symphonity wrap their set up with “Give Me Your Helping Hand.” A song which features a duelling guitar and synth solo. Something fans of power metal would be very familiar with. With this set, Symphonity manage to win the crowd over with their brand of power metal, but all of the songs that have been played, sound like something I have heard plenty of times before.
Main support on this tour comes from Temperance. An Italian band with a concept that is very similar to Amaranthe. Despite no third vocalist tonight, the remaining two do not mess around. Kristin Starkley, the band’s newest member is unreal. Her operatic vocals are amazing together with Michele Guaitoli’s cleans. Once again the musicality is top notch. The guitar solos are executed expertly, as the members run from side to side to interact with each other as the duo of singers interact with the audience. At this point, the venue fills up more, but it is evident that this is not going to be a sold out gig once Sirenia eventually come on. Throughout this set, Temperance joke about their Italian heritage which in turn somehow resonates with the crowd as the energy goes to another level. With the ending of this set, the crowd was undoubtedly ready for what was to come in a short while.
The lights dim as Sirenia’s intro tape plays. Drummer Michael Brush somehow manages to creep through the dimly lit room, and once he arrives to his kit the lights get a little brighter before he starts urging the crowd to clap. The rest of the band follow him onstage as vocalist Emmanuelle Zoldan warmly greets the crowd, asking if they were ready for the show before ripping straight into opener “Addiction No. 1.” This song is full of life and energy. Perfect for the set opener. The surprise of the set actually came just under halfway through. Sirenia have released a new album called 1977 last year through Napalm Records, and seeing how the demographic of those in attendance, most people have come to hear the older Sirenia songs. “Deadlight” was a single from this new album, and it gets the biggest reaction of the night. The catchy chorus works perfectly in this setting as everyone in attendance sings in unison with Emmanuelle who is clearly having the time of her life onstage.
After playing for just over an hour, the band leave the stage. The chants for one more song begin as everyone eagerly awaits for Sirenia to return. The band runs onstage to play their final song “The Path To Decay.” Another excellent performance from the four piece, as they end their set with one of the better songs on the setlist.
Sirenia have been around since 2001, and with this tour, the band shows no signs of slowing down. They may not have sold the entire venue, but they managed to attract some old and new school metalheads which is just as important for a band. Only playing 14 songs, the set lasts exactly an hour and ten minutes which for a headline performance is short. Had Sirenia played for longer, this could have been one of the better symphonic metal gigs of the year, but this time, Sirenia leaves the Manchester crowd still starving.
