22.10.2011 Amaranthe

Metal Female Voices Fest IX

Oktoberhallen Wieze (Belgium)

(Pentax k-x with Tamron SP AF 17-50mm 2.8 XR Di II LD Asp IF and Sigma AF 50-150mm 2.8 EX DC APO HSM II)

We stay Scandinavik after the Finns of Kivimetsän Druidi as it was up to the Danes / Swedes of Amaranthe. As I was able to see them as support act of Kamelot in spring at Cologne I was quite curious to their gig but in the end there was the same feeling as after the former one.
The music is charachterized by the three stylistic completely different singers. There is on the one hand the growling Andy Solvestorm being responsible for the more aggressive parts of the songs. He is supported by the clean singing Jake Lundberg who is harmonizing with front woman Elize Ryd during the hooks. Completed the whole band is by guitarist Olof Mörck, bassist Johan Andreassen and drummer Morten Lowe Sorensen. Especially the interaction between the singers during catchy songs like "Automatic" or "Hunger" was quite impressive and responsible for the great atmosphere at the venue which followed them willingly. The euphory was that high that they were the first band where after they left the band encores were requested by the audience.
Nevertheless there was this ambivalent impression I had after the show. The show itself was great and also the songs were extremely catchy but nothing overwhelming and there was quite often the point where I had the feeling to have heared something already of somebody else. Furthermore it was a quite smooth and well organized show which was quite smooth-edged. The music was quite pop and from my point of view neither fish nor fowl. I always have the feeling that a Swedish Eurovision Song Contest band is there on stage (especially from music point of view) who had put a Finnish metaller by their side (also if he is coming in Andys case of a neighboor country) who should make it harder by his growls. I am not really getting into it but the audience seemed to have liked it extremly just like at the Cologne gig.

Setlist:

Leave Everything Behind
Enter The Maze
Million
Automatic
Call Out My Name
It's All About Me (Rain)
Serendipity
Transition
Hunger

Weblinks:

	Amaranthe Homepage of the Swedish band Amaranthe.
	Metal Female Voices Fest Homepage of the Metal Female Voices festival at Wieze (Belgium).
	Oktoberhallen Homepage of the Oktoberhallen at Wieze (Belgium).