Oh dear :: Mitsubishi Electric Hall :: you old bitch! Long time I didn't cross your threshold (last time 2017 Nick Cave?). No wonder that I successfully repressed all the bad things about you. Well, now they got burnt into my memory forcefully…
After I cleverly managed to sail around all weekend/road-constructions traffics and car crash caused road closures I arrived dead on time, just to get stuck after all right in front of the Mitsubishi Electric Hall! It seems that the operators of the hall still haven't enough parking capacity that fits even a little bit the capacity of the hall (or even reduced them the last year). At 7 Euro parking fee only a fractional amount of arriving fans found a space. There was a parking deck 2km away, but dunno how expensive it was. I found a little place I could squeeze in along the way ;)
Okay, here we are. Being there on time I missed a support band I didn't know about and that wasn't announced at all (Smash Into Pieces). No evidence at the merch either, which was quite expensive: Shirts/Beanies 35 Euro, Zipper/Hoodies 75 Euro. Same went for catering: water 4.50 Euro, beer 6 Euro. Popcorn, nachos, pretzel und currywurst in the cheapest version 5 Euro each. Bon appetite!
:: pics :: EVANESCENCE ::
Well, then let's directly start with the both main acts ;)
:: EVANESCENCE :: opened the evening in front of an almost sold out hall (approx.. 7000 fans) under pulsating beats and lights and a short countdown, just to kick off with Broken Pieces Shine from the new album, The Bitter Truth. Screams, roars, and warm welcome by the crowd let every band member smile and let them rock out a little bit more. Front woman Amy Lee was whirling on the large and high stage like a dervish.
Of course, EVANESCENCE focused on their 2021 released album The Bitter Truth, they played half of the songs from, yet didn't miss out all the classics loved by the fans.
In the middle of the set, there was a calmer part, seeing Amy Lee on performing a trilogy of songs on the piano.
I have seen EVANESCENCE for the first time live and I have to say, I was quite impressed by their performance.
Band: Amy Lee (vox, keys), Tim McCord (git), Will Hunt (drums), Troy McLawhorn (git, vox), Emma Anzai (bass, vox)
Setlist: Artifact/The Turn (intro), Broken Pieces Shine, Made Of Stone, Take Cover, Going Under, Lacrymosa, Lose Control/Part Of Me/Never Go Back, Far From Heaven, Your Star, End Of The Dream, Better Without You, Call Me When You're Sober, Imaginary, Use My Voice, Blind Belief, My Immortal, Bring Me To Life
:: pics :: WITHIN TEMPTATION ::
Dutch symphonic Metal veterans :: WITHIN TEMPTATION :: are interestingly around the same time as Evanescence, but never made a break and are generally more active and present. I have seen my first WT show in 2005, after The Silent Force was released, in a club long time closed.
Surprising to me was the fact that WITHIN TEMPTATION thrilled and enthused the crowd much more than Evanescence did. I was convinced that the Amis were more popular.
However, WITHIN TEMPTATION generally were one step ahead. They had so much fun on stage, laughing all the time, animating themselves and the crowd. There was visibly such a real and affectionate bond between the members, you don't see too often.
Musically the band took a ride to their entire history, except for their debut album Enter. They of course focused on their newest effort, Resist, too, and their latest stand-alone singles, but played at least one song from every other record. Just their 2007 album The Heart Of Everything was considered with three tracks. When Paradise (What About Us?) was played, duet partner Tarja Turunen was shown on round screens in the background. Another duet was presented with The Reckoning, originally sung by Jacoby Shaddix, but here, surprisingly Amy Lee jumped onto stage to sing along with Sharon den Adel. Also remarkable was Raise Your Banner, where Sharon asked the audience what they would do, when their country would be attacked. The answer was clear: defend it. "So do I" she said, plead for freedom and grabbed an Ukrainian flag to perform the song. I didn't expect this statement from this band. Wow. Hats off!
I actually was looking forward and prepared for some pyros as seen on other shows during this tour. But there was nothing, only digitally, except for CO2 jets and an extensive light show. Well, too bad. There have been no confetti at the end of the Evanescence show either.
The voices of both front women were a bit tattered from the ongoing tour. Their voices sounded a bit rougher and deeper, which, to me, suited especially Sharon den Adel well. I don't like her high-pitched squeeking. One or two pitches deeper her voice has much more power and volume.
How big the stage production was, everybody could figure when passing the hall outside and counting the stage trucks behind. I have seen four or five at least…
At the end, I have to say that both shows were really impressing. Professionally of course, from root to tip, perfectly styled and organized yet not overly affected, stagy or choreographed. There was room to act and react, as a situation would demand it. Awesome shows, yes! Thumbs up!
Band: Sharon den Adel (vox), Ruud Adrianus Jolie (git), Jeroen van Veen (bass), Martijn Spierenburg (keys), Mike Coolen (drums), Stefan Helleblad (git)
Setlist: Our Solemn Hour, Faster, Paradise (What About Us?), Stand My Ground, Angels, The Purge, Raise Your Banner, Entertain You, Supernova, The Reckoning (with Amy Lee), Don’t Pray For Me, All I Need, Ice Queen, What Have You Done, Mother Earth
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