Words and Pictures: Adrian Hextall (C) MindHex Media
Having reviewed multiple albums by Greek power metal titans Firewind and seen them multiple times on stage as well as Gus G in solo mode and Herbie Langhans with Avantasia the show at the Underworld was never going to be anything other than monumental. The show, one of six in the UK, no small feat when European power metal acts usually grace us with one night only and more often than not it’s in London. Great for me, not so much for the others in the UK so 6 dates was very welcome indeed and credit to Gus and Co. for catering to us on the short trip.
The Underworld show was the last date of the tour, promoting their 10th studio album Stand United which was coming up to its first anniversary having been released back in March 2024. Still no matter, we forgive the lads for the delays in getting to us (Herbiew for one was, I recall, out with Avantasia last summer for example) but before they cam one stage we were presented with one of the acts that will be gracing the stage at Maid of Stone Festival this summer, Fury.
Fury
The room was already decently full by the time openers Fury took to the stage at 7:15pm. The West-Midlands metallers put on a passionate and full-throttle performance playing tracks from their 2022 album Born To Sin as well as other hits from their back-catalogue.
I’m fairly certain I’ve seen the band before and I’ve certainly heard their studio output before but this was my first time properly focussing on them and watching them sport dual lead singers in Nyah Ifill & Julian Jenkins. The mix worked perfectly with differing styles in vocal delivery and the format also allows Julian to continue focussing on his playing as much as his singing with Nyah being the one with the freedom of movement across the stage. You might think the stage at the Underworld might hamper movements somewhat BUT not Nyah. She flew around the stage as if on skates and helped turn the set into a show, proving beyond doubt that she’s been a great acquisition into the fold.
When you consider the pedigree of each band member, bassist Becky Baldwin plays in Mercyful Fate’s touring band, Tom Fenn of Torous and Brassick is on drums, and Tom Atkinson (Vice, ex-Absolva) is on guitar, pulling the right members together can’t be easy yet Nyah has slotted in like the final piece in a jigsaw.
I’m kicking myself for having not paid more attention to them but the opportunity to see them again in Kent in July will be too good to miss so that one is now firmly marked in the diary. Their sound is a great combination of Maiden, Halloween, with elements of Nightwish, Epica and a slide or two of Within Temptation. The vocal work mixes it all up perfectly and keeps us guessing what might be coming next and for me, they were the perfect opener for Firewind.
The crowd seemed bought in from the off which would suggest that I’ve missed a trick until now. And this my friends is why you check out the support!
Firewind
At around 8:30pm it was time for Firewind to take to the stage. Now, if you want talent, look no further. Firewind are the elder statesmen of Greek power metal. Whilst the lineup has changed over the years, at its core, lead guitarist Gus G (Ozzy Osbourne, Arch Enemy, Dream Evil) continues to drive the band forward and the current incarnation includes the amazing vocal talents of Herbie Langhans (Avantasia, Radiant, Seventh Avenue), Petros Christodoulidis on bass (celebrating over 20 years with the band) and drummer Johan Nunez who has been with them since 2011.
The close musicianship, the ability for a four piece to just work the stage as if it were their own and one epic tune after another truly showcased just why the band deserved multiple dates up and down the UK. It’s a shame that they don’t get to do this more often but sadly we seem to be in an age where “grunty , shouty and whiney metal” seems to be the norm. Like grunge, I hope it comes and goes as fast as possible.
For those people who know and recognise a good tune when they hear it, they knew to be at the Underworld for a Firewind show and responded in kind to each and every song on offer, be it tracks from Stand United or their signature piece, namely their cover of Michael Sembello’s “Maniac”. They were also joined on stage by Nyah Ifill for a superb rendition of “Breaking the Silence” proving again why she’s been a great addition to both Fury and this tour.
Following a huge singalong to the aforementioned cover, the band closed their headlining set with “Rising Fire”, “Heads Up High”, and “Falling To Pieces”.
We all left with grins as wide as the Severn Bridge. And rightly so. This was arena sized music in a venue that holds 500. For those of us there, I think we won on this occasion.
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