LIVE REVIEW: Beyond The Black @ Rebellion, Manchester

You probably wouldn’t have heard of this symphonic metal quintet. The troop have been making waves in mainland Europe for the last five years with their headlining tours and recent festival appearances, which included their hometown main stage spot at Wacken Open Air. The biggest surprise was this particular night was sold-out upon arrival! Having a recent lineup change in 2016, leaving founding member and vocalist Jennifer Haben leading the charge, this was a challenge set for German’s BEYOND THE BLACK to reign on their sold-out Manchester crowd.

With their only support for the evening, Sweden’s MISTER MISERY have created a hype within their underground metal community, which have caught the attention for some of its witnesses. Resembling a cross between their influences AVATAR, MOTIONLESS IN WHITE and an extra splash of BLACK VEIL BRIDES, the Swedish dark quartet produced a particularly entertaining set. While it took their spectators a little while to respond to their high-energy riffs and spooky themes, the sound was appreciated by the end of their set with the closer Rebels Calling being a particular highlight.

Rating: 6/10

BEYOND THE BLACK greeted their sold-out Manchester congregation with warmth and fierceness from their trio of Hysteria, When Angels Fall and Songs Of Love And Death. This alone provided what their fresh blood have tasted and what their fans have drunk from their symphonic metal catalogue. One cannot deny that with many catchy songs from their recent opus Heart Of The Hurricane such as the title track, Million Light Years and Spiderweb Of Eyes along with classic tracks such as Running To The Edge, Lost In Forever and Written In Blood. A nice touch was sprinkled to their glowing set with the acoustic triad Through The Mirror, Song For The Godless and Marian hymn Salve Regina on the other end of the Rebellion venue, giving versatility from the band. The Germans brought the drama back with closers Hallelujah and the massive crowd pleaser In The Shadows that bringing smiles to the room.

As the members walked away from their territory, what was witnessed on the cold-bitter evening was a drive that was energetic, straightforward and uncompromising. BEYOND THE BLACK are one of those bands that the chemistry matched their unprecedented selection of songs unknown to wider metal public had their witnesses embraced with every note that could link their roots to bigger stages in their promising future.

Rating: 8/10

Check out our photo gallery of the night’s action in Manchester from Sabrina Ramdoyal Photography here: