Nightwish - Perth, 20th January 2013
Words: Catherine Parrish
Celebrating the release of their new album, Finnish metal band Nightwish are in Australia for their second tour of the country. The 18+ show at Metropolis Fremantle also featured Melbourne artists Black Majesty and Eyefear, whose vocalist Danny Cecati sported floor-length hair and an impressively long beard but had no difficulty with achieving a loud and fast performance. Cecati joked with the crowd that his final visit to Perth was memorable thanks to the many loud comments made about his hair. Eyefear also took the time to thank the promoters and tour managers, as it was their last gig of the tour. “One thing I’ve noticed about this place is the beautiful scenery and the beautiful women!” It’s always entertaining when a visiting band try to be charming. They finished their set with a hearty cheer and a promise to return before their roadies jumped the stage to set up for Nightwish.
Beginning with their lengthy medley Crimson Tide, Deep Blue Sea (an instrumental adaption of Han’s Zimmer’s Crimson Tide), Nightwish appeared on stage individually, and were accompanied by a massive roar of a metal crowd eager to get their head-banging on. One particular fan standing on the balcony spent half of the set thrashing his hair in a perfect windmill. But most eyes were
Beginning with their lengthy medley Crimson Tide, Deep Blue Sea (an instrumental adaption of Han’s Zimmer’s Crimson Tide), Nightwish appeared on stage individually, and were accompanied by a massive roar of a metal crowd eager to get their head-banging on. One particular fan standing on the balcony spent half of the set thrashing his hair in a perfect windmill. But most eyes were
fixed on the lovely Floor Jansen who graced the stage in a faux-leather strap dress and black buckle-heels. Nightwish performed Storytime and Dark Chest Of Wonder before addressing the crowd and introducing themselves.
There were a number of impressive keyboard moments from Tumoas Holopainen, and where a lot of unfamiliar instruments used to orchestrate their symphonic melodies. A common theme throughout all sets was a bad display of excessive lighting, except during the heavy bassline of I Wish I Had An Angel, where it effectively encouraged the crowd off its feet. Other crowd pleasers I Want My Tears Back, Nemo and encore Last Ride Of The Day kept punters on their feet for a heavy 100 minute set before wrapping up with an invitation from drummer Jukka Nevalainen to initiate a circle pit, but unfortunately it just fell short. Perhaps a bigger crowd on a better night would have been more responsive.
There were a number of impressive keyboard moments from Tumoas Holopainen, and where a lot of unfamiliar instruments used to orchestrate their symphonic melodies. A common theme throughout all sets was a bad display of excessive lighting, except during the heavy bassline of I Wish I Had An Angel, where it effectively encouraged the crowd off its feet. Other crowd pleasers I Want My Tears Back, Nemo and encore Last Ride Of The Day kept punters on their feet for a heavy 100 minute set before wrapping up with an invitation from drummer Jukka Nevalainen to initiate a circle pit, but unfortunately it just fell short. Perhaps a bigger crowd on a better night would have been more responsive.