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Live Reviews : Sirenia, Ne Obliviscaris and Orpheus Omega @ Factory Theatre, Sydney 14/12/2013

By on December 16, 2013

So when I made my way once again, into Sydney’s city I had no idea just how amazing it was going to be. Putting it simply, this was a night of some of the best live performances to grace Australia’s shores. I’m referring to of course, the second show of gothic metal giants hailing all the way form Norway. Sirenia!

Sirenia Australian Tour 2013

Making their way down under for the very first time, joining the many other huge acts that are now starting to appreciate Australia’s metal community. Sirenia played only two shows in Australia. One in Melbourne and one in Sydney that I was lucky enough to catch. Their Sydney show was at Marrickville’s live entertainment venue, the Factory Theatre. It was going to be a grand show, with their supporting acts both being incredibly reputable Australian bands who’s material is worthy of its own headlining tour.

Starting off the evening were Melbourne’s melodic death metallers, Orpheus Omega. I had the pleasure of seeing them back in early 2012 when they were given a supporting slot for the Kings of Viking metal, Amon Amarth. Needless to say I was keen to hear them again. Making a huge improvement in many ways since then. Performing tracks from their debut album ‘Bleed the Way’ such as ‘Unscathed’ and ‘Neath (The Shadow of the Monolith)’ as well as pieces from their 2013 release ‘ReIllusion’, ‘Fragments’ and my personal favourite from their setlist. ‘Sans Memoria’. Bringing furious riffs and chaotic vocals that were complimented by elegant melodic passages as well as an energetic key-tar performance from Keswick Gallagher that saw him bounding off the stage to join us plebeians, giving a few the chance to join him and a glorious wind mill of head-banging.  With their set coming to an end the crowd was left anxious, to start with such a great introduction to the night? What else was in store for us?

Preceding this stellar first act were Melbourne based progressive metal band Ne Obliviscarus. The level of creativity in their material is just immense. Intricate bass work in the intro for ‘Of the Leper Butterflies’ suddenly blasting into intense guitar riffs and sonic violence echoing from Dan Presland’s hands and feet.  Their debut album ‘Portal of I’ provided their setlist for the night, performing several of their lengthy tracks such as ‘Of Petrichor Weaves Black Noise’, finishing off their show with the 12 minute track ‘Forget Not’.  Despite all members playing a magnificent gig, I have to give credit to clean vocalist/violinist Tim Charles. Despite being unable to stand he still gave it his all. His head-banging wrath showed his poor stool no mercy, but it was his heavenly vocals that kept me stunned the whole show. However just when I thought that I was completely engrossed, his gorgeous violin arrangements just enraptured me. Transfixed by the sheer awesomeness (an adequate word if not lacking sophistication) I was just in disbelief. ‘Ne Obliviscaris’, one of  the best supporting acts I have ever witnessed.

Then at last. After a half-hour intermission, we were blessed with the presence of Sirenia. The scene went quiet as the lights faded deep blue. An orchestral track stealing the audience’s attention. Then one by one, they emerged from backstage to the roar of the eager crowd.  Erupting into ‘Seven Widows Deep’ it was truly something to behold. The 4-man (and of course 1 lady) act from Norway carried out their show to perfection, and that’s no exaggeration. Not a single foul cord or missed note.  At this time I’d just like to point out that Ailyn’s voice was just as beautiful as the women herself! And the same can be said for founder Morten Veland (just in a different sense). His growls as intense as they have ever been since the formation of Tristania. The entire show was backed by powerful tracks comprising of their trademark ‘Sirenian Choirs’, booming orchestras and symphonies providing an epic atmosphere as they accompanied Ailyn’s saintly vocals.  In the wake of their latest studio release, Sirenia played a generous list of songs from ‘Perils of the Deep Blue’ to compliment their astoundingly long set. ‘Cold Caress’, ‘Darkling’, ‘A Blizzard is Storming’ and ‘Funeral March’ just to name a few. Also taking us back to ‘At Sixes and Sevens’ with ‘Meridian’ with several tracks from ‘The Enigma Of Life’ including ‘Seaside Serenade’ and ‘All My Dreams’.

An unexpected delight of the set was their performance of the track ‘My Lost Lenore’ from the album ‘Widow’s Weeds’, the first album of Morten Veland’s original act ‘Tristania’. Finishing off the night with one of my personal favourites off ‘Nine Destinies And A Downfall’ was ‘The Other Side’.  As the crowd pleaded for just one more song as Sirenia left the stage, it seemed pretty much helpless. Until a subtle stroke of a guitar echoed from backstage, and with that Sirenia returned! Seemingly ‘finishing’ with ‘The Path to Decay’ from ‘The 13th Floor’. Showing they definitely know how to play the audience.  Once again they said their goodbyes and graciously gave their thanks for an amazing night, leaving the stage.  Sure enough, they came back out again! A double encore on what was already an unbelievable night! Blasting out several more tracks, one of which was ‘My Mind’s Eye’. It was certainly a mind-blowing conclusion to the evening.  With the wild applause and adoration of the masses, they took their leave… for the third time. As you’d expect, we all stood there waiting and cheering. Half in awe of the past hour and a half, the others anticipating perhaps yet another encore. However much to everyone’s forlorn hopes, they did not return.

Well. There’s a reason Sirenia is one of the biggest names in the gothic/orchestral metal pantheon. Sirenia was nothing short of flawless. If you didn’t get the chance to see them debut in Australia then all I can say to be quite blunt, is you missed out big time! A sublime show from all three acts who took to the stage. To say I’m keen to see them all again is surely an understatement. Thanks to you all, hope to see you again soon!

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