I was looking forward to this night for quite some time, given that it was my first time seeing a symphonic metal band live. And Sirenia! I've been listening to them only for a year or so now and they have an amazingly unique sound that can get your blood pumped and get you into a weird trance all at the same time. I was even more excited to be heading to the Factory Theatre which is one of my favourite venues here in Sydney. I think I've raved about it before, but it's just so perfectly structured. Spacious, plenty of room towards the back of the hall with a bar and couches at the back (not that I make use of either). It's just the perfect setting for a night of live music, especially when that music is Norwegian gothic metal!
To begin the night , was Melbourne melodeath metal band Orpheus Omega. Having never seen or heard these guys before, I was in for a real treat! They were amazing! The lights dimmed down, I made my way to the front of the venue, and before I knew it, this 5 piece outfit powered their way into their first track. They really make you want to bang your head and break something. Being my first time seeing this band live, I didn't know most of the songs they played, but they've been on repeat ever since on my phone. One song that really stood out was 'Sans Memoria' from their 2013 release "Reillusion". Beautiful melodic riffs, raspy, strong vocals, they had a lot going on in their music but it wasn't even in the least bit scattered. What complimented the Orpheus sound even more was the enthusiastic key-tar'ist Keswick Gallagher who energetically leapt off the stage, getting the crowd even more psyched out. I couldn't stop laughing when he didn't know how to get back on stage and suddenly disappeared through the exit and re-appeared. Such a fun band and so passionate about their music, they are definitely becoming one of my favourite Aussie acts.
Still feeling the awesomeness of Orpheus ringing in my ears, up next were one of my favourite bands both Aussie, and International. I can watch these guys live over and over again, have their music on constantly and never get tired of them. Every time I listen to them, I'm even more grateful that I discovered their music, because it's surprising, not many people IN Australia have heard them. This was the third time I saw them live and I can honestly say, with each time, they sound more magnificent. Ne Obliviscaris are by far, the most versatile bands I've ever come across, and really know how to experiment with their sound. The progressive build up in every single one of their tracks is so simple yet so intense. Playing the beautiful "Of Petrichor weaves Black Noise and "Of The leper Butterflies" the crazy riffs, Tim's clean as well as his very Pavarotti sounding vocals, the gorgeous violin segments, not to forget the brain-rattling bass, it all has the effect of leaving you at a complete loss, for words and of reality. Timmy, who broke his leg at a gig a few weeks ago in Melbourne, had placed himself on a chair, given that he couldn't or shouldn't stand. That did not stop him. Half standing, half sitting, he was his usual epic self on stage, headbanging in perfect sync to the music alongside Xen. It was just beautiful to watch how passionate the band is about their music. It has a mystic sense about it that just lures you in, you tend to forget reality. Forget Not was their final track of the night, and it's a stunner. 12 minutes long, and not once does it get even remotely repetitive or boring. In fact, it's the complete opposite. Ne Obliviscaris is nothing short of enchanting and I'm hoping to see them lots this year. I have a good feeling I will!
With the show that Orpheus and NeO put on, I would've been content leaving then. Not that I did, but that's just how insane they were. Needless to say, I was really excited to see the head-liner act of the night, for various reasons. one, they're Scandinavian. From Norway to be precise and I do have quite an unhealthy obsession with that side of the world. A half hour changeover, what seemed like an eternity, With the lights fading out into darkness, a symphonic tune playing in the background, members of this five piece Norwegian outfit came out one after another, in confident and happy strides. Bursting into the mesmerising choral intro of Seven Widowsdeep, it was a majestic start. Ailyn is a beautiful creature. her voice can reach tones and pitches you couldn't imagine possible. I'm a sucker for melody with growls and Morten Veland's vocals absolutely blew me away. Deep, intimidating, it complimented Ailyn's voice so perfectly.
It was a good and long one and a half hour set, with Sirenia playing some of their best tracks, classics and new. A good number of tracks such as A Blizzard is storming and darkling were played, Honouring their brand new album, 'Perils of the deep blue', which is nothing short of melodic goodness. 'A Blizzard is Storming', 'Darkling', and 'Funeral March' were some of the few tracks off this new release. Some stuff was also performed off 'The Enigma Of Life', one of their older albums such as 'Seaside Serenade' which personally, I prefer to their latest work. What also came about as a pleasant surprise is when Morten Veland declared that they were going to perform 'My Lost Lenore' from the days of Veland's Tristania; Widow's Weeds. That particular track live, was quite a scintillating performance.
As the night seemed to come to an end, Sirenia left the stage, only for the crowd to plead for one more song. Regardless that The Factory Theatre wasn't a very packed venue that night, the appreciation and love for the Norwegian gothic metal band was incredible as the adoring fans successfully got them to come back on stage for an encore. With a cheeky guitar strum from backstage, Sirenia returned, much to the pleasure of everyone there, playing a couple of tracks including the beautiful, "The 13th floor'. what I truly loved about them was the passion they performed their music with. It's not easy travelling 30 odd hours like Morten said, coming to play in a completely different country for the very first time. And you could tell how much the loved their fans. It was pure, and really touching! That was further shown when, much to the delight of everyone gathered at The Factory Theatre that night, these Norwegian metallers came right back out, with the biggest smiles on their faces ready to mesmerise Sydney just one last time with 'My Mind's Eye'. It was an absolutely brilliant finish to the night with a double encore. Sirenia were so humble, grateful to their fans and to me, definitely one of the most promising symphonic metal bands out there.
