Project Description
ARCH ENEMY + We May Fall
@ Manning Bar
23/03/18 (Live Review)
by Laura Tedder
Photos – Dan James
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The streets surrounding Manning bar, Sydney were packed with fans of varying ages, all ready for night of heavy live music from the bands on a very impressive lineup.
Three piece local band POTION were the first support band of the night; the physcadelic heavy rockers from Sydney graced the stage with a captivating instrumental, pumping up the forming crowd for their first track. Lead singer and guitarist Lee Jowono provided his profound vocals and dark and passionate lyrics to kickstart the evening, opening the show with catchy songs that undeniably got members of the audience jumping. Female bassist Stella Leung wasn’t holding back either when showing off her talent, expressing immense passion whilst doing so. Debuting their single ‘Grave Maker’ to their engrossed crowd. POTION’s iconic head bangs blended with their pure musical talent created an opening act that unquestionably suited this crowd perfectly.
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We May Fall were the second act to infatuate the Manning Bar audience. The independent local Sydney band played a perfect blend of old and new, playing songs from their maiden album ‘You wear those scars well’, and finishing with their popular singles from their 2017 album ‘The light bearer and the shadow maker’. Prior to their set, devoted We May Fall fans could already be seen pumping up the surrounding crowd with a notorious circle pit. Vocalist JJ Brady’s famous pitch yells and enthusiasm were incredible and got the entirety of the Sydney audience jumping; never failing to engage with the audience by joining his trusty fans in the crowd for their well known breakdowns during their set. Despite a few sound issues, their performance undoubtedly captured We May Fall’s sound and heartening lyrics, whilst putting on a memorable show for fans old and new.
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Finally, after the suspense and excitement, the crowd were finally given what they had been waiting for. Swedish death metal band Arch Enemy took to the stage of Manning bar for their show in Sydney; with guitarist Michael Amott opening their set with an incredible guitar solo from their song ‘Blood in the Water’ paired with the venues magnetising lighting and Amott’s renowned head banging. Eventually, the other illustrious band members of Arch Enemy (dressed in their famous black studded wardrobe) joined Amott to get things moving for their sold out show in Sydney. Canadian Vocalist Alissa White-Gluz effortlessly impressed the Sydney crowd with her deep and powerful vocal range alongside her enlightening lyrics, unprecedented stage presence and her notorious hair. This was Alissa’s first headlining tour in Australia with Arch Enemy since joining the band in 2014; this show will undoubtedly go down in history for the die-hard Arch Enemy fans. The bands perfect blend of melodic sounds and enticing energy (which they bring to each and every stage) undoubtedly gave Sydney a show unlike any other. Arch Enemy continued to play popular songs from their 2014 album ‘War Eternal’, the jam packed audience were able to keep the floor ablaze, creating an energy like no other and were left with ringing in their ears; especially during their performance of their most recent single ‘The Eagle Flies Alone’.
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Swedish guitarist Sharlee D’Angleo didn’t hold back with engaging the crowd with his captivating guitar solos, pumping up members of the audience throughout their set; watching fans go crazy whilst screaming the lyrics back to the death metal band.
Finishing the show, the audience chanted for more, but as a fan base, we have hope that it won’t be too long until Arch Enemy perform on our shores again.
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