Beyond The Black w/Setyoursails, Seraina Telli – O2 Ritz, Manchester – Thursday 15th January 2026
HELLO DARKNESS MY OLD FRIEND…
BEYOND THE BLACK
With a bit of Maiden on the PA pre-show followed by Paint It Black (a signal if ever there were one) it’s the opening night of the Rising High tour and the first of only 2 UK dates, but Beyond The Black are delighted to be back after a four year gap. So says Jennifer Haben from atop the front of stage platform from which she dominates proceedings and commands attention. Especially when she dons a set of impressive golden wings later in the set.
A new album, Break The Silence, celebrates (kind of) a decade of Symphonic Metalling, and we wonder why on Earth Beyond The Black has hovered below our radar for so long. First gig of the year; it’s an absolute belter and on floating out of the Ritz at closing time, we’re wondering how 2026 is going to top tonight’s headline stars.
Yes – Break The Silence is a terrific new album that donates half a dozen new songs to the setlist. Most are only a week old but what now passes for singles (more like advance notices) have paved the way for the likes of Break The Silence and Rising High to be confidently thrown in at the deep end at the start of the set and be instantly on point.
FEEL THE THUNDER
Despite the impact and thrill of hearing of new songs get their debut, Reincarnation gives an early dose of goosebumps. The Celtic-y vibes, stomping chorus (how many were chanting the song title in their heads?) and contrasting vocal lines from Haben and guitarist Chris Hermsdörfer (yeah – he was on the growls) make for an inspirational five minutes. Anyone need convincing about Beyond The Black just needs pointing this way.
The breakthrough debut album features strongly particular;y when plaecd towards the end of the set with a crowd pleasing nod. First up though is Songs Of Love And Death that combines the dramatic and epic with the BTB knack for turning out a hypnotic melody and another Hermsdörfer solo that’s so hot it needs the front of stage fan to provide a cooling draught. Also adds to a windswept look that’s great for the camera phones at the barrier along with the backdrop of assorted video images that provides a strong visual identity to the production. As a set closer, the clarion cry of Into The Shadows confirms the longevity of the promise of that first album with a song that says “we’re going to leave you with this one…but might be back shortly.”
SHINE ON!
The pace and dynamics are perfectly balanced in a set that picks smartly from the six album legacy. There’s a notably subtle nous in the way they combine their Symphonic roots with a heavier element, yet at the core is their enviable ear for a melody that brings an immediacy to the live set. Ravens sees the power balladry in full flow, Jennifer getting a chance to tone back the power with a softer yet no less expressive element. When Angels Fall and Free Me do similar in songs of two halves, the fragile opening sections building the tension before the high drama; the combination of clean/harsh voices in the former again does the complete seduction job.
The Flood adds a harder edge to proceedings with harder edged verses leading to the inevitably catchy (feels odd to talk of ‘catchy Metal’) chorus and there’s a frantic tempo to Hallelujah, tight rhythms and twin guitar lines stirring up a storm, that closes the encores. One of those shows that’s going to be burned into the memory banks as a significant moment. Epica are in town next week and the gauntlet has been thrown down.
Beyond The Black have been a revelation. Surely, pretenders to the Heavy Melodic Metal throne no more. Embrace the storm! And on the evidence of the opening night of Rising High, surely an career-defining live album is the next step to cement their status.
SERAINA TELLI
“What the f@@k is that girl doing there with the green hair. We came for darkness…”
So says Seraina Telli to the early arrivals as she kicks off proceedings promptly half an hour after doors. The former Burning Witch (also on our horizon for later this month), arrives onstage armed with with guitar and drummer at her right hand. The set is dressed with an assortment of touches that might be classed as ‘soft furnishings’. The word that springs to mind is ‘green’. Green guitar and ‘furnishings’, a long green Cousin It wig and hat that thankfully didn’t last too long and even green vinyl (for the Green album) and T shirts at the merch desk.
The two pronged attack proved plenty. Some hidden help allowed Seraina to lay off the guitar, switch to the keyboard or to shift into full vocalist mode and finish the set with a more symphonic bent and a chance for the crowd to raise their hands and play their sway along part. There’s also a Song For The Girls that kind of sets the tone for the evening, with all three bands making sure that the gender balance gets a fair deal.
SETYOURSAILS
And for anyone who found Seraina a little too green, the musical balance was redressed with an intense set fromSetyoursails. That’s despite some SPice Gilrs and Backstreet Boys on the PA inbetween sets. “Are you feeling aggressive!?” screams hyperactive singer Jules Mitch before leading the crowd in a huge (we say) “F@@k” (you say) “off!” (didn;t quite catch the purpose…) and waving a huge ‘No place for – sexism, racism, homophobia’ flag part way through the set.
Living up to their Insta motto – ‘Young, enraged and standing steadfastly against hate’, Seraina’s green definitely took more of a forceful shove rather than gentle nudge into a darker shade. Some might say overwhelming, but not so the O2 Ritz collective who were no doubt willing to allow themselves the release that comes with a fearsome Metalcore charge of the set. Yes there were moments of a more reflective nature but with Mitch prowling the flip of the stage, somehow managing not to lose the widebrim hat, and interacting with her instrumental trio, Setyoursails exude a raw confidence and passion.
Beyond The Black: Website
Setyoursails: Website
Seraina Telli: Website