Was it the halo or the lights effect? The lighting was stunning at London's Electric Ballroom, setting the stage for an awesome night of melodic death metal!
It’s wonderful to see Mikael Stanne back in London after he visited with Dark Tranquility last November! He’s returning for another fantastic tour with The Halo Effect as they’ve got their new record “March of the Unheard” that came out on January 10th. Ex and non-ex In Flames bandmates have released something already generating some buzz for its intense energy and thought-provoking lyrics. Fans are in for a treat with tracks from their new album, along with some favourite hits from their first release.
Words: Sabrina Schavinato
Pictures: Peterson Marti
Joining the band on this European tour are the industrial metal legends Pain as special guests, promising a diverse and heavy-hitting lineup. And Bloodred Hourglass, the Finnish melodeath band, was set to start the show, bringing some fresh sonority to the stage.
I intended to say "fresh," but perhaps I was more accurately referring to something unfamiliar.
The Finnish band has been around for more than 15 years, but it was with the release of 2019’s ‘Godsend’ that they started to get a lot more international attention. So, after a few changes in the lineup, Lauri Silvonen hopped on board to play guitar while also handling bass for Wolfheart.
Even with the small stage set-up, Bloodred Hourglass wasn’t intimidated and delivered an intricate set on Saturday evening. The six-piece band really made it work, buzzing around the stage even with all the instruments taking up space for the main acts.
It seems that after Lauri showed up, the music started to get a bit more experimental. As we watched them live, I noticed the heartfelt nods to traditional melodies they offered to their fellow countrymen. It’s clear that they’re picking up some inspiration from other well-known bands in the scene, especially when it comes to the guitar solos. But you can also feel the touch of their earlier work, which adds a special twist to their sound.
Even though we had never seen the band live before, the energy in the air was undeniable, and the packed audience erupted in applause the moment the band took the stage. The crowd in London kicked off a mosh pit when "Veritas" and "Nightmares are Dream Too" played, and they wrapped up the show with "Where the Sinners Crawl." The energy and vibe of the band on stage really set the tone for the night ahead, creating an amazing atmosphere.
Bloodred Hourglass
The Sun Still In Me
In Lieu of Flowers
Leaves
The End We Start From
Waves of Black
Drag Me the Rain
Nightmares Are Dreams Too
Veritas
Where the Sinners Crawl
It was around 8 pm, and those flashing lights from the stage were almost like I needed to put on some sunglasses.
A party was about to go down, and it was definitely not just in our heads. We thought there would be costumes, guitar changes, and some cool light effects... But balloons? That was a blast!
Pain has been a huge part of the industrial metal scene since the early '90s, and you really need to catch their live shows to see just how electrifying they are. They grabbed your attention with their captivating stage presence, especially with Peter Tägtgren's one-of-a-kind vocals, while his son keeps the beat alive on drums. Let's talk about how the band switched up their outfits during the performance, which really enhanced the whole visual vibe. Although I’m not sure many people in the mosh pit actually noticed that!
Along with the facial expressions and jokes, we noticed some familiar songs in the setlist, like “Call Me,” “I’m Going In,” and “Shut Your Mouth.” It was such a thrill! I could have sworn I saw a shoe flying through the air at one point!
Their performance stood out. It offered an exciting contrast to The Halo Effect’s melodic death metal and showcased the versatility and power of today’s heavy music.
PAIN
It's Only Them
Don't Wake the Dead
Call Me
Zombie Slam
Suicide Machine
I'm going in.
Go With the Flow
Same Old Song
The Great Pretender
Party in My Head
Have a Drink on Me
Let Me Out
Shut Your Mouth
The Halo Effect is all about carving out their own identity. It's pretty clear that there are some similarities with other bands, but one thing's for sure—they're really confident in their ability to create great music and put on a fantastic live show. They're not aiming for anything overly dramatic or inspirational; instead, they're all about crafting solid melodeath music that centres on a powerful lead guitar and a huge chorus hook.
Mikael greeted the London crowd with a smile, and his colleagues showcased their technical ability as they kicked off their set with “March Of The Unheard” from their latest release. The singles from this album, like “Detonate” and “What We Become,” really give us a great mix of songs to sing and headbang to, and they fit perfectly with the previous release.
Sure, since the band is still new to everyone, especially when you think about Pain’s legacy, the setlist wasn’t as long as you might expect from a headliner. But the cool part was seeing that the folks who stuck around until the end really believed in this new super band, rather than just being there because of who was in the band.
The green lights effect added to the vibe at the Electric Ballroom, making it the ideal spot for those powerful riffs. The sound was crystal clear and technical from start to finish, which matched perfectly the band chemistry on stage.
The night ended on such an emotional note, with the band standing on stage for what felt like over two minutes, just soaking in the moment and expressing their pure joy and appreciation for the crowd. No words were exchanged, just feelings and applause.
The Halo Effect
March of the Unheard
Feel What I Believe
In Broken Trust
The Needless End
Detonate
Conditional
Cruel Perception
A Truth Worth Lying For
Become Surrender
What We Become
Gateways
Last of Our Kind
Days of the Lost
Shadowminds
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