Live Review: Battle Beast - XOYO, Birmingham
Support: Brymir, Serenity
29th September 2024
Words: Matt Noble
Photos: Tim Finch
First on the bill at XOYO are Brymir, whose melodeath sound, with a tinge of symphonic power metal, acts as a superb fit on tonight's bill. They bring a joyful atmosphere into the room, packed to the rafters in spite of their earlier set time. It's a fun, enjoyable watch as their stage presence and obvious camaraderie between members translates into plenty of energy thrown back at them. Jokingly introducing 'Herald of Aegir' as being a song about fish, they win a few laughs as well. With impressive lead guitar acrobatics and a jaw-contorting guttural vocals style the music has plenty to offer and by the time bombastic closer 'Wings of Fire' fades away they surely leave with a few more followers.
Serenity's potent melodic metal continues to warm up the crowd nicely. Their frontman knows how to lead an audience, putting on an enthusiastic performance and interacting with audience members with the aura of a metal god. The band's big choruses, such as in the anthemic 'Set The World On Fire', get the crowd singing back at them appreciatively. Even a slightly darker toned track like 'Reflections' has an uplifting hook to keep the rich sense of melody going. The vocal harmonisations and interesting key changes within songs capture our attention well throughout. A couple of tracks about English history round off an entertaining set, keeping the sense of epic running to the very end.
'Are you ready for the best fucking heavy metal party of your lives?', calls out Noora of Battle Beast after a couple of songs. She's met with a rousing cheer. Battle Beast promise, and deliver, on bringing a Sunday night party. 'Circus of Doom' sets the scene in an epic manner, getting the crowd singing along from the very start, and the upbeat 'Straight to the Heart' keeps it going nicely. Noora is an iconic frontwoman, getting her crowd clapping, singing and cheering seemingly like the most natural thing in the world. The audience are involved and unified throughout, and the band embody the ethos of heavy metal seemingly without effort. Though lead guitarist Joona is absent, you wouldn't be able to tell with fill in shredder Atte Aho's flawless guitar performance tonight.
Inviting singalongs for a quick cover of 'Can You Feel The Love Tonight', as well as an impromptu 'You've Got Another Thing Coming' due to being in the home of metal, the showmanship and entertainment value is very strong throughout. Well rehearsed and choreographed, it's a slick and professionally delivered performance with choruses that endlessly encourage raucous singalongs, such as the fist-pumping 'Bastard Son Of Odin'. The full band impress well on a technical and instrumental level. In the spirit of old school metal, several are given their own time in the spotlight to dazzle the crowd. Battle Beast leave us wanting more by the time set closer 'Beyond The Burning Skies' fades away. They promised a party, and a party they did deliver.
Photo Credits: Tim Finch Photography
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