Evanescence at the Hammersmith Eventim Apollo Tue 13th June 2017
I haven't been to the Hammersmith Apollo for many years - not since seeing some thrash bands here in the late 80s I think, and then it was the Hammersmith Odeon. It is similar in many ways (inc. size and feel) to Brixton Academy - and not least in that there was a humungous queue to get in which went way down the street. However, it was well managed and we were in well before the support band started playing which was good.
Arcane Roots: 8:03-8:46pm
3 piece (drums, bass + male vocals, guitar + main male vocals / keyboard)
I knew nothing more about these guys than that they were British before I came here. Heavy prog rock, but the sound started off terrible, with the guitar turning into a wall of noise when it got loud. Fortunately the sound did improve somewhat, and there were some good bits, with interesting vocal styles and guitar melody, but it was still hard to pick out any details, so hard to appreciate them really. Overall, some promise, but their sound was disappointing.
Evanescence: 9:27-10:49pm
5 piece (drums, bass, 2 guitars, female vocals + some keyboards / piano)
Evanescence are a special band for me - they were the band that introduced me to 'modern' female fronted metal. By this I exclude the likes of Girlschool and Doro who play more 'traditional' 'heavy metal', but who I have known since 80s. Thus from Evanescence I then discovered Nightwish, Epica, and the vast array and variety of bands that are now out there. But for me, Evanescence were the first, and so hold a special place. I have seen them once before, at Download some years ago, supporting Iron Maiden, and then the crowd was half keen and half dismissive - it was odd. Ever since I have looked forward to seeing them on a headlinging tour, and perhaps a decade later my wish comes true! So a special gig for me then.
The sound started off not quite right, with the drums extra loud and brash and Amy's vocals not forward enough in the mix, but this did improve, and while I wouldn't say the sound was perfect it was good enough and vastly better than their support band's sound!
I came with my daughter, Tinni, who really loves Fallen, but doesn't really know their more recent work at all - I guess there will have been others there in that situation, and fortunately Evanescence catered for them very well, playing lots from Fallen - which is afterall a real masterpiece (and sold many many millions). This ensured that the crowd was very happy and vocal, and this gave the place a real buzz. The selection of more recent work was also excellent, with lots of the more approachable and direct (heavy) songs, but with some time for Amy to play at the grand piano as well. My daughter was impressed and enjoyed herself. I too was impressed and was well into it from the offset, rocking out and appreciating the lightshow as well as the songs. My anticipation had been great, and was hard to live up to, but I was not disappointed at all. Sadly I have been ill recently, and my stamina standing for long periods is not so great, so I got tired towards the end but managed, and even that didn't stop my enjoyment. Overall then a wonderful performance and a great evening, which I am very very glad not to have missed, and also very pleased to be able to share with Tinni!
Arcane Roots: 8:03-8:46pm
3 piece (drums, bass + male vocals, guitar + main male vocals / keyboard)
I knew nothing more about these guys than that they were British before I came here. Heavy prog rock, but the sound started off terrible, with the guitar turning into a wall of noise when it got loud. Fortunately the sound did improve somewhat, and there were some good bits, with interesting vocal styles and guitar melody, but it was still hard to pick out any details, so hard to appreciate them really. Overall, some promise, but their sound was disappointing.
Evanescence: 9:27-10:49pm
5 piece (drums, bass, 2 guitars, female vocals + some keyboards / piano)
Evanescence are a special band for me - they were the band that introduced me to 'modern' female fronted metal. By this I exclude the likes of Girlschool and Doro who play more 'traditional' 'heavy metal', but who I have known since 80s. Thus from Evanescence I then discovered Nightwish, Epica, and the vast array and variety of bands that are now out there. But for me, Evanescence were the first, and so hold a special place. I have seen them once before, at Download some years ago, supporting Iron Maiden, and then the crowd was half keen and half dismissive - it was odd. Ever since I have looked forward to seeing them on a headlinging tour, and perhaps a decade later my wish comes true! So a special gig for me then.
The sound started off not quite right, with the drums extra loud and brash and Amy's vocals not forward enough in the mix, but this did improve, and while I wouldn't say the sound was perfect it was good enough and vastly better than their support band's sound!
I came with my daughter, Tinni, who really loves Fallen, but doesn't really know their more recent work at all - I guess there will have been others there in that situation, and fortunately Evanescence catered for them very well, playing lots from Fallen - which is afterall a real masterpiece (and sold many many millions). This ensured that the crowd was very happy and vocal, and this gave the place a real buzz. The selection of more recent work was also excellent, with lots of the more approachable and direct (heavy) songs, but with some time for Amy to play at the grand piano as well. My daughter was impressed and enjoyed herself. I too was impressed and was well into it from the offset, rocking out and appreciating the lightshow as well as the songs. My anticipation had been great, and was hard to live up to, but I was not disappointed at all. Sadly I have been ill recently, and my stamina standing for long periods is not so great, so I got tired towards the end but managed, and even that didn't stop my enjoyment. Overall then a wonderful performance and a great evening, which I am very very glad not to have missed, and also very pleased to be able to share with Tinni!