Live Review: Nightwish, Black Majesty & Sabaton

Sabaton take the early slot tonight due to flight schedules after the show, and their tales of war powered by uplifting and energetic power metal go down a storm. Looking like an extra from a Mad Max movie with his mohawk, mirror shades and steel-plated black vest, vocalist Joakim Brodén bounds across the stage and the rest of the band are just as energetic, having a blast as they rock the house on the last show of their first Australian tour.

Local metal veterans Black Majesty are up next. The band play melodic power metal with a European vibe and do it very well, including material from their 2012 album Stargazer. Guitarists Steve Janevski and Hanny Mohamed reel off some great shredding solos and harmonised lead lines. At end of their set they are joined on vocals by Sabaton's touring drummer Snowy Shaw (formerly of Dream Evil, Therion, Mercyful Fate and King Diamond) and Eyefear vocalist Danny Cecati for a killer rendition of Dream Evil's The Book Of Heavy Metal, featuring some of the best falsetto screams you'll ever hear live. It's a definite show stealer and a great build up to the main act.

Not many bands would risk changing lead singers midway through a tour, but that's exactly what Nightwish are trying to pull off by replacing Anette Olzon with former After Forever vocalist Floor Jansen. The anticipation builds as the band members take their places during the orchestral intro track and the rapturous cheers when statuesque beauty Jansen finally makes her entrance make it obvious Nightwish fans have already accepted her. Jansen's vocals are excellent during opener Storytime and really shine on the band's earlier songs, where she can use her considerable range. She's relishing this opportunity, nailing her performance and enjoying every second of the ride. Bassist and co-vocalist Marco Hietala takes charge of a lot of the crowd interaction between songs, though every time Jansen has her chance to talk to the crowd and urges them to get involved everyone goes wild. When Jansen isn't singing she's windmilling, head banging and moving constantly. There's great energy among the band members and several smiling glances of approval between main songwriter and keyboard maestro Tuomas Holopainen and Jansen, which bodes well for her future with the band.

Tonight's show at the Palace was added after the first show sold out and is only filled to half capacity. However, what the audience lack in numbers they make up for in sheer enthusiasm and it seems many of the punters are here again after seeing the first show. Regardless of the reduced crowd, Nightwish give absolutely everything and play extremely well. British musician and composer Troy Donockley joins the band on Uilleann pipes, flute and whistles for I Want My Tears Back, old favourite Nemo and several other songs including a cover of Gary Moore's Over The Hills And Far Away, adding a medieval flavour to the epic symphonic metal sound. Last Ride Of The Day is a fitting end to the set and the band take a few moments to bask in the crowd's adulation as the outro track Imaginaerum booms out over the speakers. 

It would be very surprising if Floor Jansen doesn't become Nightwish's full-time vocalist as she seems a perfect fit based on tonight's performance, but time will tell. Tonight's gig is a great celebration of traditional and symphonic metal, with really strong performances from all of the bands. It may not be fashionable, but this style of metal is alive and well and no one here tonight would have it any other way.