Within Temptation – First Direct Arena, Leeds: Live Review

By Mike Ainscoe on 21st November 2024 • ( Leave a comment )

Within Temptation, Annisokay – First Direct Area, Leeds – 19th November 2024

within temptation

Exactly two years ago, the Worlds Collide tour, that saw a stirring double bill of Within Temptation and Evanescence (when were were once again in Leeds) was a spectacular triumph. The Bleed Out Tour sees Within Temptation once again hit Leeds with a side stage turnstile that sees guests coming and going throughout an evening a supreme Symphonic Metal.

The Bleed Out album appeared just over a year ago and is mined heavily for the set. The opening five numbers, with the stage bathed in various degrees of saturated red, kick start proceedings. We Go To War sees Sharon den Adel emerge in one of her crown headpieces, throwing the horns and surrounded by a huge and dramatic set that combines columns and arches and a couple of hefty looking candelabra which will play their part later in proceedings.

There’s something comfortably familiar about the Within Temptation experience of Sharon and her gowns, Ruud Jolie and his woolly hat and the big stage production that always makes their show a spectacle. A leading light in the Symphonic Metal genre for years, judging by tonights turn out in West Yorkshire, their appeal spans a generation or two.

With a backdrop featuring images of war that include good old Harry Potter in the Battle of Hogwarts, as usual Within Temptation pull no punches with a mighty production – no flames this time but plenty of platforms and a hidden stairway leads up to a rear stage platform above the drum riser where Sharon makes her first appearance in Bleed Out, when the screens display a series of devilishly red, molten melting images. The strong war that feeds the themes and philosophies of the new music continue through to Wireless – confirmation a simple check of the Soviet themed promo video.

Bleed Out dusted off, back into the catalogue we go on a path of warm nostalgia that’s associated with playing the older material. A synthesised trumpet fanfare that always (personally) conjures pictures of Morricone and Eastwood, heralds a thundering The Reckoning. Along with Shot In The Dark and Stand My Ground, it’s a masterful mid set sequence. Marrying melody with a symphonic power. The multi stringed guitars given their head to solo in the former rather than pump out a heavyweight part as they do in the latter. Twin guitarists, Ruud Jolie and Stefan Helleblad swap solos and positions on their personal stage left and stage right platforms and occasionally venture stage centre to trade riffs with one other or Sharon.

Sharon brings on Ukrainian musician/producer Alex Yarmak for a blast of A Fool’s Parade; the Within Temptation stand for Ukraine hasn’t dullled. Contrast of Sharon’s vocal against the fire and venom of Alex’s more aggressive Death Metal delivery on the single released earlier in 2024 to spotlight the band’s commitment to raising awareness of Ukraine’s ongoing battle against the Russian invasion. The passion with which Sharon flew the blue and yellow Ukrainian flag in this room two years ago hasn’t subsided. There’s even support from fans on the barrier which he acknowledges as he makes a short speech about supporting the cause.

One guest down, the vocal might and magnetic presence of Tarja Turunen is perhaps the evening’s highpoint as she appears for The Promise. A set definging moment, seeing two of the icons of the genre working together is a real treat. Worth the ticket price alone? Maybe. It’s a huge Gothic opera of a beast with both singers giving their all. Not just singing, but delivering and performing. Tarja’s own I Feel Immortal and her return in the encores for What About Us reminding us of the sterling work she did with WT on this track back on Hydra.

The encore is another nostalgia fest. The operatic Latin drama of Our Solemn Hour goes head to head with All I Need; the power ballad to top all power ballads. No swinging from the rafters this year, just a leading of mass sway along before Mother Earth brings the evening full circle. Back to where we came in with plumes of smoke and deep green light and Sharon reaching the operatic highs with seeming ease.

Whilst not perhaps hitting the heady heights of Worlds Collide, the might of Within Temptation as Symphonic Metal flag bearers remains undiminished.

annisokay

A bit of German Post Hardcore to warm us up? Yes please. Annisokay might be a three piece outfit but along with some programming trickery, they make an arena filling sound. Balancing the harsh vocal of singer Rudi Schwarzer with the more melodic and ear pleasing tone of guitarist Christoph Wieczorek

In an evening of special guests, Annisokay strike first. They give the warning to look out for something special as they’re joined mid Like A Parasite by Sharon den Adel. No costumes of fancy headgear, she still looks and sounds the part clad in Annisokay T shirt and black leggings and dueting with both vocalists. Not a bad warm up for her as we’ll find out later.

A cover of Linkin Park’s One Step Closer and the mix of melody and aggression – see Get Your Sh!t Together and STFU sees the Nu Metal vein pulsing fiercely whilst their more symphonic links with the headliners are more evident in Human and Calamity. They’re delighted to be playing on a tour to big numbers and their ten song set will have opened a few doors.