Live Reviews : The Haunted, Insomnium & Orpheus Omega @ The HiFi, Melbourne 15/05/2015

Words: Jonathon Besanko

Images: Ben Gunzburg

I’m going to preface this by saying that this following review is written simply going off my memory. I wrote this review as a favour to one of my Metal Obsession co-workers, so if it feels a tad light in content in comparison to most of my other live reviews, that is why.

With that little disclaimer out of the way, let us begin!

Labelled in promotional content as the “Scandinavian Metal Storm”, this evening was to see Sweden’s The Haunted team up with Finland’s Insomnium for a night of Scandinavian metal. And opening the evening for these two massive names was none other than Melbourne’s own melodic death metallers, Orpheus Omega.

I’ll admit, I expected a large crowd for this night, but the audience numbers still amazed me. This was one of the most packed out evenings at The HiFi I’d seen in a long time. People of all description had flocked to the Swanston Street venue, and showed up in droves. And even come door open, and Orpheus’ eventual emergence on stage about a half hour later, the crowds were still large. Orpheus Omega were to debut two tracks off their forthcoming third album, ‘Partum Vita Mortem’. And let me tell you, were they well received!

Orpheus Omega

It is actually one of the things that grabbed me most about tonight; was how big Orpheus Omega’s following has grown since the bands formation circa 2009, and how much they have equally grown since the release of their debut full-length, 2011’s ‘Bleed The Way’. They arrived on stage to a solid greeting, and after almost every song, had a significant portion of the venue cheering them on. With tonight being their final show for the ‘ResIllusion’ album cycle, Orpheus Omega pulled out all the stops delivering a wild, empowered performance, showcasing the many gems from this, their second record. One of the most prevalent things I can say about this performance of theirs is how tight they have clearly become as a band, not only with their stage presence, but in terms of the camaraderie between each member of the five-piece.

I have seen Orpheus Omega a number of times now, but this performance perhaps more so than the rest, truly showed how this humble, melodic death metal band from Melbourne has matured, and how they have evolved into a solid, musically-inclined touring machine. Whether it was in the moments where keyboardist Keswick Gallagher would jump past bassist Nathan Mesiti, with the two promptly high-fiving one another, or if it was in vocalist Chris Themelco’s undeniable charisma and adeptness for crowd-band chemistry, it was almost impossible to deny the massive presence and professionalism this band brings to the fore.

After shredding away with new tracks “Tomorrow’s Fiends and Yesterday’s Ghosts” and “Karma Favours the Weak”, Orpheus Omega left the stage to an uproarious applause, and further yet, not simply as the local opener, but as a band who can rightfully stand alongside the acts that were to soon follow it.

Insomnium

In no uncertain terms was it made clear how many people were here for Insomnium on this evening. If it wasn’t in the fact a large portion of their tour shirts had sold out before Orpheus Omega had even left the stage, it was in that it was also not surprising given the significance of this date. This is the first time Insomnium have ever toured here in Australia, and whilst I’m not going to pretend I’m not relatively new to this band myself, it was made very clear how many veterans of their music were attending tonight. And I can say right now, I left their performance as someone different to who I was when I went in. Honestly, that is the gravity to which this band’s music reaches you. Insomnium are undeniably one of the best bands to grace the subgenre of melodic death metal, and take it to a whole other level that even rivals – and at times, bests – that of its forebears, such as Dark Tranquillity (who, if you know me, I also regard as being in a league of their own).

Frontman/bassist Niilo Sevänen has to be one of the most charismatic vocalists I have seen. There is no ego whatsoever with this guy, and from the performances of the others – wherein guitarist Markus Vanhala almost danced about with his V-neck, and drummer Markus Hirvonen pounded away – were a force unto themself. But the performance perhaps that grabbed me most was from that of Kari Olli (Pressure Points), who served as session guitarist for Insomnium on this tour. Had you not known better, you could be forgiven thinking Olli was a full-time member. He fit the mould of the band so well, and never struggled in the slightest with his parts or solos.

The Haunted

Whilst evidently this is something that occurred in Brisbane too, a significant number of people decided to leave the venue following the end of Insomnium’s set. It was a shame to see, and even once The Haunted hit the stage, the crowds continued to thin out over the course of their set. As to what the exact reasons are why, I’m not certain, but whatever it may have been, The Haunted took it in their stride and continued to belt out their music.

Playing a mix of songs that crossed over the majority of their discography, their penchant for the more traditional end of death metal inspired pit madness near the front of the stage. Frontman Macro Aro lapped it up, with him often singing directly to those at the front. He also had an odd, unexpected side to him as a vocalist, parading around stage with his brand of antics; no least of which saw him twirl like a ballerina on a couple of occasions. It had been 12 years since The Haunted were last in Australia, and it was nice to see them express how great it felt for them to be back.

All in all, a very enjoyable and memorable gig!

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