Sonata Arctica-Triosphere- Labyrinth 18/3/11 Wolverhampton

Full Set List

Intro
Flag in the Ground
Last Amazing Grays
Juliet
Replica
Blank File
As if the World
Paid in Full
Victoria's Secret
Instrumental
The Misery
Full Moon
In Black and White

Encore

Caleb
Don't Say a Word
Vodka + Outro




I wrote in detail about Sonata Arctica on a previous post at the end of 2009 at the gig at JB's Dudley so will keep this one short.
SA never fail to deliver and always put out a powerful set.



Really enjoyed the Labyrinth set and it was great to have a chat with Andrea and Olaf afterwards. Andrea really reminded me of the late, great Ronnie James Dio in manner and sound. There is no bigger compliment than that.




Andrea Cantarelli

Had heard some very good reports about Labryinth but had never really heard much of their stuff before. They are a metal band formed in 1991 in Massa, Italy.



Next band on were Triosphere from Norway who were formed in 2004 and have released 2 albums. Vocals and Bass are provided by Ida Haukland who can certainly belt it out loud.




Been really looking forward to seeing SA again and so was Marina who had never seen them before. We were in for a fast and furious night as 4 bands were playing!
First on were a local band 'Awake by Design'. They were actually not bad but the lead singer was totally over the top ! He thought he was something between Freddie Mercury and Bono as kept running off into the crowd.

Fish Pedicure

I have to admit I was more than a little apprehensive despite the reassurances. Also something of a crowd of onlookers had gathered pressing their noses against the windows.
Hesitantly I submerged my feet into the tank.. Those first 10 seconds were horrendous !!! Extreme tickling sensations but then as if by magic it stops and it becomes a totally relaxing experience. I had signed up for the full half hour session which really flew by.
These clever fish can also stimulate accupuncture points, helping to relax the body and release fatigue.
Blood circulation and flow is greatly increased during the treatment and apparently you can also have the full body experience if feeling really brave..


The little fishes in question who do all the work are 'Garra Rufa'.
In the wild, they operate as cleaners, removing dead scales from larger river fish. So my overworked and abused feet should provide a tasty treat.
The fish secrete Diathanol which is said to encourage skin regeneration.
This type of treatment has been used to aid conditions such as Psoriasis and Eczema for centuries.



It is no great secret that my feet are not my finest asset... So after after some very negative feed back from some of the girls at College I decided to take drastic action. Why I was barefoot at College is another matter entirely.
It was actually my Doctor who suggested I give the fish a go. There was actually a tropical fish tank at the surgery but he was having none of it.

Epica - Revamp -The Rescue Rooms Nottingham 11'03'11

This has to go down as the best two bands together since Delain & Sonata Arctica last year. Really powerful stuff delivered ro a packed and appreciative crowd.
I can't wait to see Epica again in May this time in Amsterdam at the Paradiso which will be a little different to The Rescue Rooms!

Full Set List

• Resign to Surrender
• Sensorium
• The Last Crusade
• Unleashed
• Martyr of the Free World
• Cry for the Moon
• Imperial March
• Tides of Time
• Mother of Light
• The Obsessive Devotion
• Kingdom of Heaven
  

Mark Jansen




Floor and Simone 'duetting'.




Epica are also a Dutch symphonic metal band founded by guitarist and vocalist Mark Jansen formerly with After Forever. After a very quick turnaround in which I just about had time to get to the toilet, and also bump into another old friend of mine Andy Radbourne it was time for Epica. Just about managed to squeeze my way back to almost my original standing position. Many thanks to a smashing chap 'Steve' and his wife who kindly made themselves 'big' so I could get back.
Epica performs a blend of progressive metal, gothic metal and symphonic metal.Not to mention the power metal element.
some songs literally are "epic, grand and majestic" and others "more subdued and introspective."
Simone Simons delivers beautiful operatic vocals in a mezzo-soprano range which is packed with emotion contrasting wonderfully with Mark Jansens 'death grunts'.



Simone Simons


Yours Truly with Floor Jansen


Have to say I was really impressed with Revamp, Floor has an amazing vocal range and delivered a great set. Must have been at least 10 songs and about an hour in length so superb to have such a great support band.



ReVamp contains former After Forever keyboardist Joost van den Broek, bassplayer Jaap Melman formerly of Dreadlock Pussy,and guitarist Waldemar Sorychta of Grip Inc., Voodoocult, and Eyes of Eden fame.


Floor Jansen

Got to be honest I new very little about Revamp except that were a Dutch symphonic metal band fronted by Floor Jansen formerly with After Forever who disbanded in 2009.



Two new bands and a new venue for me this time so promised to be an interesting night.
The Rescue Rooms is a very intimate venue, holding no more than 500 at most.It is right next to Rock City in the centre of Nottingham. It was good to catch up with Anthony May again who I hadn't seen since the Tarja gig at Islington and Paul'Hornet'Chilton.