Hiraes

Hiraes, formed in 2020 in Germany, is a melodic death metal band that emerged from the ashes of Dawn of Disease, featuring vocalist Britta Görtz of Critical Mess. Their debut album, Solitary, was released in 2021, followed by Dormant in 2024. The band’s name, derived from the Welsh word “hiraeth,” reflects a deep sense of longing and nostalgia.

Opening the evening, Hiraes captivated the audience with their powerful blend of melodic death metal. Tracks from Dormant, such as “Undercurrent,” showcased Britta Görtz’s dynamic vocal range, seamlessly transitioning from guttural growls to clean singing. Where at their previous Dutch show she seem to have technical issues, today we seen a better show. The band’s performance was marked by tight rhythms and intricate guitar work, drawing comparisons to genre giants like Arch Enemy and The Halo Effect. Their set was a testament to their growth and promise in the metal scene.

Moonspell

Moonspell, hailing from Portugal, was formed in 1992 and is renowned for their fusion of gothic, doom, and melodic death metal elements. Their latest studio album, Hermitage, released in 2021, continues to receive critical acclaim.

Fernando Ribeiro’s commanding presence and deep, resonant vocals set the tone for the evening. The setlist, a well-curated mix of classics like “Opium” and “Night Eternal,” alongside fan favorites such as “Breathe (Until We Are No More)” and “Alma Mater,” had the crowd singing along in unison. The band’s theatrical performance, enhanced by atmospheric lighting, created an immersive experience that transported the audience into their dark, melodic world. A slight hint to a future release was given which seemed to please their audience as well. With Moonspell each album is a different experience and with so many years and albums on the counter it is a joy to see the whole come together so nicely in the live set.

Dark Tranquillity

Dark Tranquillity, formed in 1989 in Gothenburg, Sweden, is one of the pioneering bands of the melodic death metal genre. Their 2024 release, “Endtime Signals”, marks a significant chapter in their storied career and currently the band is on their second leg of a lengthy European tour supporting this release.

Closing the night, Dark Tranquillity showcased why they remain at the forefront of the genre. Tracks from Endtime Signals, including “The Dark Unbroken” and “Phantom Days,” were met with enthusiastic applause. The band’s performance was a seamless blend of technical proficiency and emotional depth, with Mikael Stanne’s dynamic vocals and the band’s tight instrumentation driving the energy of the set. Classics like “ThereIn” and “Cathode Ray Sunshine” further solidified their legacy, leaving the audience in awe of their enduring talent and passion.

Frontman Mikael takes his time to chat with the audience between songs, joking around here and there and seem to have enjoy himself a lot here tonight. The audience is maybe not the wildest here tonight but certainly an audience that knows their oldest songs played as well as the material. These guys are captivating their audience through the years and also on this evening where they played a lengthy set.