Adult Oriented Death Metal, Symphonic Metal and Power Metal … Omnium Gatherum, Leaves’ Eyes and Sonata Arctica, a night of “Metal” at the City National Grove, Anaheim California Sunday, December 4th. Not being familiar with and haven’t seen any of the above bands, it’s time to experience something new.
Arriving at three thirty to do an onsite pre-show interview with founder/frontman Alexander Krull and front lady Elina Siirala of Leaves’ Eyes, which only takes about fifteen minutes… I realize this is going to be a long night. After a few hours talking with other photographers and fans in the parking lot it’s seven fifteen and we are finally being let into the venue.
Opening the night was Finnish band Omnium Gatherum, classified as Adult Oriented Death Metal, I was unaware there was such a genre. Frontman Jakka Pelkonen, guitarist Markus Vanhala and Joonas Koto, bassist Erikki Silvennoinen, keyboardist Aapo Koivisto and drummer Tumo Latvala had the task of warming up the crowd, the set consisted of songs off their latest release Grey Heavens. The head banging, hair flying and the fans fist pumping was in full force.
As the stage is being turned over, it’s evident there’s a few more fans that have trickled in, not the attendance I was hoping to see with approximately three hundred fans, as these bands deserve to play to bigger audiences.
Up next the symphonic metal band Leaves’ Eyes, as I stated earlier I had the pleasure of interviewing frontman Alexander Krull and front lady Elina Siirala prior to the show. The time has come as the fans see the Leaves’ Eyes back drop lower, with the Viking army is looking on. The intro music starts to play drummer Joris Nijenhuis, bassist Gijs Coolen, guitarist Pete Streit and Thorsten Bauer, vocalist Alexander Krull and Elina Siirala open the set with Halvdan the Black off King of Kings, following with My Destiny off Njord rounding out the three songs with The Walking Eye, King of Kings. Now, I was glad I wasn’t limited to the first three songs to photograph, due to finding myself being drawn into their stage presence forgetting to take pictures. Siirala “Soprano” vocals is as beautiful as she is, Krull with his hair flying, works the stage keeping the fans engaged, clapping, singing, pumping the horns up, it got my attention!!
Continuing the set with songs off their recent EP release Fires of the North, Swords in Rock, Edge of Steel, Scared Vow and the self-titled song Fires of the North. Krull taking a moment to chat with the fans about our recent Presidential election, I wasn’t sure how well this was going to go over, stating “We as metal fans have always and forever be united as one, no matter what’s happening in the world of politics”. The fans agreed, as I laughed at myself being a sucker for that one. Closing out the set with Mot Fjerne Land complete with Krull donning the Norse Viking Armor and sword. Impressive!! Look up Leaves’ Eyes on Facebook www.facebook.com/leaveseyesofficial Website: www.leaveseyes.com
As the fans cheer and want more, the stage is being turned over for Sonata Arctica from Kemi Finland to close out the night. Earlier I stated I was talking to fans in the parking lot waiting for the venue to open, it was this band that seemed to be on the fans lips. Touring their recent release The Ninth Hour, frontman Tony Kakko isn’t flashy, but the emotion, the passion is visible during his performance, guitarist Elias Vijanen, bassist Pasi Kauppinen, keyboardist/keytar Henrik Klingenberg and drummer Tommy Portimo are energetic to watch balancing it out. Performing thirteen songs, including five off their recent release The Ninth Hour were Close to an Animal, Life, Fairytale, Among the Shooting Stars and We Are What We Are.
Kakko also took a moment to engage the fans with a Save the Music speech, stating no matter what genre, buying the albums, merchandise, seeing a concert it all helps keep live music alive.
In closing, Europe seems to be the main focal point for rock and metal music, it’s appreciated and highly sought after. My main focus tonight was Leaves’ Eyes, but I had the pleasure of being introduced to two other European bands. It’s an honor and much appreciated that Orange County is one of the stops on these tours, we don’t see it enough here. We only live once, Enjoy it!! Three bands, one German and two Finnish, it was well worth it!!
All photos by Tammy Greene
©2016. Please DO NOT copy or use without permission.
Sonata Arctica:
Omnium Gatherum:
Leaves’ Eyes:
