Arch Enemy / Nevermore

Arch Enemy / Nevermore
29 September 2003
The Scala, London

Very promisingly for promoters continuing to put on shows like this, tonight`s how is sold out and given the quality of the support the queue already snaked round the Scala and up Gray`s Inn Road. The ticket tout`s are out to take advantage of this and one fan`s not standing for it as he decks a tout. This is followed by a chase down the road and probably wasn`t the wisest move as the tout and his mates obviously know where he`s going to be going tonight.

Not ones for queuing, Johan and I decide a pint is in order and walk into the pub to find Glenn from Power Play and Andy & Donna from Century Media who we tormented at Dream Evil. "Oh God, not you two!" was the tongue-in-cheek comment. This was very handy as Andy is able to tell us Nevermore`s stage time and we sit it out in the pub until just before.

This was my first visit to the Scala and my lasting impression would be that they`d let too many people in. We struggle to find anywhere with a view as Nevermore take the stage and end up wedged on a ledge. Tonight sees a reversed bill to the rest of Europe where Nevermore are headlining and their professionalism is obvious from the outset.

Engines Of Hate opens proceedings and the stage is a mass of hair. I remember seeing Nevermore predecessor Sanctuary back in the late 80s and thinking, my god how much hair! 15 years on, my long hair`s long since gone but these guys still resemble Cousin It from the Adams Family!

Continuing with Dead Heart In A Dead World material, Inside Four Walls and Narcosynthesis follow, the later being probably the most obscure word for a sing-a-long but the crowd almost drown Warrel Dane out.

Two new songs follow in the guise of Ambivalent and Never Purify. I have to admit being a little disappointed with the new album, however hearing these songs live has made me realise this is down to the production not being to the standard we`re used to with Nevermore. I believe the plan is to go back to Andy Sneap now their current contract has expired and they should get the necessary advance from a new label.

By this point my necks in agony, not from headbanging, but from the position I`m wedged in so I take my chances and barge my way down the stairs, managing to find a few inches space in time for the mid paced The River Dragon Has Come. Steve Smythe of Testament and Dragonlord has certainly done his homework and fits in perfectly in guest guitarist role. Meanwhile Jim Sheppard pounds away on his bass and I swear he could get together with fellow bassist Sharlee d`Angelo of Arch Enemy and join Johnny Depp in the Pirates of the Caribbean!

The crowd reaction is akin to a headline performance and Warrel Dane announces "Metal`s not dead it`s just been sleeping." Well it certainly not sleeping tonight when Lost, Enemies of Reality and Seven Tongues of God are blasted out back to back. Warrel Dane has an amazing range of vocals which keep the material melodic yet not to the point of power metal and Jeff Loomis is certainly one of the most underrated guitarists in metal today.

Closing with The Sound Of Silence is the only disappointment for me. I know they always finish with this half-cover of the Simon & Garfunkel song, but I find it one of their weaker songs. It does give me an excuse to avoid the crush at the bar however.

Nevermore Set List:
Engines Of Hate / Inside Four Walls / Narcosynthesis / Ambivalent / Never Purify / The River Dragon Has Come / Lost / Enemies Of Reality / Seven Tongues of God / The Sound Of Silence

Perennial between band favourite CD Back In Black by AC/DC blasts out as a giant Arch Enemy back drop is revealed to cheers from the crowd. There`s a definite buzz about Arch Enemy and a feeling that they`re stepping up a level tonight.

Eventually the lights dim, the Tear Down The Walls Intro begins and Arch Enemy blast into Silent Wars. Mike Amott has come full circle with this song as it could have been lifted straight off the Carcass Heartwork album which is no bad thing.

Heart of Darkness follows, Angela Gossow growling out the lyrics, eyes with a demonic stare and fist banging the air. This is made to look all the more bizarre when the lofty Sharlee d`Angelo strolls over and towers over her.

If one song on the latest album Anthems Of Rebellion album could make things happen for Arch Enemy, it`s We Will Rise and despite some cries on the message boards of sell-out, the whole crowd sings back the chorus tonight. The sound is good and not over loud and there`s air-guitaring all around me as the Amott brothers play the twin guitar harmony of Bury Me An Angel.

Having to follow Nevermore tonight, the one criticism tonight is that from here on in the material starts to become a bit samey. I think the new material is a move in the right direction in equipping themselves with a more memorable arsenal of tunes, but Angela`s growling does become a bit one dimensional after a while. My attention wandered in particular during Bridge Of Destiny which seemed to have been shoehorned in, in order to represent the weaker Stigmata album.

Closing predictably with Ravenous this wasn`t a bad set, it`s just Nevermore set such a high standard that Arch Enemy were unable to compete with.

Arch Enemy Set List:
Tear Down The Walls (Intro) / Silent Wars / Heart Of Darkness / We Will Rise / Bury Me An Angel / Savage Messiah / The Immortal / Dead Eyes See No Future / Behind The Smile / Bridge Of Destiny / Enemy Within / Dead Bury Their Dead / Ravenous