The O2 Apollo in Manchester has long been a proving ground for metal bands, a venue whose intimate yet expansive layout allows both technical virtuosity and emotional resonance to shine. Tonight it hosted an evening that proved both ambitious and carefully curated: the Arcane Dimensions Tour, featuring Charlotte Wessels, Epica, and Amaranthe. On paper, such a lineup could easily have felt stylistically disjointed, the introspective electronic-metal fusion of Charlotte Wessels, the symphonic and operatic grandeur of Epica, and the high-octane, genre-blurring melodic metal of Amaranthe are all very different beasts. Yet in practice, the evening unfolded as a meticulously paced journey through atmosphere, drama, and euphoria.
By the time the lights dimmed and the first notes filled the Apollo, the room was packed wall to wall with fans spanning multiple generations of metal enthusiasts. There was a tangible buzz in the air, an expectation of both technical precision and emotional payoff. The audience was not merely present to watch; they were ready to participate in an experience that promised dynamic highs, introspective lows, and moments of collective catharsis. From the very first act, it was clear that this was a night designed to move and inspire.
Opening the night, Charlotte Wessels demonstrated exactly why she has become a standout figure in contemporary metal. Known originally as the frontwoman of Delain, Wessels has spent over two decades defining a unique niche in melodic metal. After Delain, she embarked on her solo career, channeling her experience into a more electronic and introspective sound, blending vulnerability, melodic sophistication, and emotional depth. Her approach relies not on pyrotechnics or large-scale stage production, but on control, mood, and an uncanny ability to draw the audience into her sonic world.
The set opened with ‘Chasing Sunsets’, immediately immersing the room in brooding electronic textures, underscored by subtle synths and atmospheric guitar work. Live, the song’s slow-burn build allowed the audience to settle into a shared rhythm of anticipation, creating a hushed focus rare for an opening act in a venue of this size. Charlotte’s voice floated above the instrumentation with a sense of both fragility and strength, setting the tone for a deeply atmospheric set. Without losing momentum, she moved straight into ‘Dopamine’, and the shift in energy was palpable. The track’s layered electronics, pulsing beats, and Wessels’ vocal precision created a subtle undercurrent of tension, drawing the audience deeper into the performance. Unlike a typical second-song burst of high energy, ‘Dopamine’ simmered, compelling the audience to engage intellectually and emotionally with the performance.
‘Soft Revolution’ increased the tension and emphasised restrained aggression. The song’s themes of quiet defiance against external pressures resonated particularly well in the live setting. As Charlotte navigated the dynamics, alternating between moments of whisper-like vulnerability and assertive vocal strength, the audience seemed to lean in collectively. The careful use of lighting, muted blues and occasional stark highlights, reinforced the intimacy and emotional weight of the performance ensuring that attention was focused squarely on the music and Charlotte’s commanding stage presence. Her subtle confidence became most evident during ‘The Exorcism’ which closed her set with dark, ritualistic intensity. The song’s deliberate build and cinematic tension created a sense of ceremony; when it concluded, the room remained suspended in the echo of its haunting atmosphere before the applause finally broke through. It was a masterclass in pacing, mood, and emotional storytelling, proving that an opening act could captivate as fully as any headliner.
As the stage was reset and a low, ominous hum filled the room, Epica entered, marking a dramatic escalation in both volume and spectacle. Formed in 2002 in the Netherlands by guitarist and keyboardist Mark Jansen, Epica quickly carved a niche in symphonic metal with their operatic vocals, cinematic orchestration, and philosophical lyricism. Over the past two decades, they have become synonymous with grandeur and technical mastery, releasing ten studio albums and achieving international recognition for intricate arrangements and thought-provoking concepts. Opening with ‘Apparition’ the band dispensed with any gradual build and went straight for impact. The song’s layered orchestration, crushing riffs, and choral elements immediately filled the Apollo with a sense of controlled chaos, eliciting gasps and cheers from the audience.
Simone Simons remained a focal point throughout the set, her voice soared above the dense instrumentation with precision and power. Whether delivering sweeping melodic lines or cutting through aggressive passages, she exhibited effortless control and emotional nuance, proving her status as one of the genre’s finest vocalists. The band’s stage presence was equally calculated, smoke, deep reds and blues, and dynamic lighting shifted to match the drama of each song, creating a near-theatrical spectacle that drew the audience into the story the music was telling. Fan favorites ‘Cry for the Moon’ and ‘Unleashed’ ignited the crowd. ‘Cry for the Moon’ became a poignant moment of collective euphoria, its iconic chorus sung back in unison by hundreds of voices. In contrast, ‘Unleashed’ served as a relentless burst of adrenaline, pushing the audience into full motion.
A particularly memorable highlight came with ‘Sirens – Of Blood and Water’, when Charlotte Wessels returned to the stage to join Simone Simons. The combination of their voices brought a haunting, multi-dimensional richness to the song. Its dramatic crescendos, layered harmonies, and intense melodic tension were amplified by the dual performance, creating a moment that felt both intimate and monumental. The crowd’s reaction, a mixture of awe, excitement, and thunderous applause, underscored the significance of the collaboration. As the set approached its climax, ‘The Last Crusade’ showcased Epica at their technical and emotional peak. The song’s relentless drive, intricate guitar and keyboard interplay, and soaring vocal lines created a sense of epic scale. By the time ‘Beyond the Matrix’ closed the set, the audience was both exhausted and exhilarated, having experienced a perfectly calibrated journey through darkness, melody, and cinematic power.
If Epica provided grandeur and drama, Amaranthe converted that intensity into unfiltered energy and euphoric release, closing the night with an unstoppable drive. Formed in 2008 in Sweden, Amaranthe has pioneered a hybrid of melodic metal, pop hooks, and electronic flourishes, known for their three-vocalist approach, clean female vocals, growling male vocals, and melodic male vocals. Over 15 years and multiple albums, they have built a reputation for infectious energy, meticulously crafted songwriting, and unforgettable live performances. They opened with ‘Fearless’, instantly shifting the atmosphere from symphonic tension to adrenaline-fueled celebration. The band’s multi-vocal approach filled every corner of the Apollo, creating a dense, multilayered sound that was both precise and exhilarating.
Early in the set, ‘Maximize’ set the tone for high-energy engagement. The song’s catchy hooks and driving rhythm drew the crowd in, building momentum for the rest of the performance. Every beat landed with machine-like precision, demonstrating the band’s tightness and command over their sonic palette. ‘Boom!’ and ‘Digital World’ sustained the energy, blending electronic polish with heavy riffs to maintain relentless forward motion. Later in the set, toward the back end, ‘Archangel’ provided one of the night’s most euphoric moments. Its soaring chorus prompted a full-venue sing-along, reigniting energy just as the set began to approach its finale. ‘Amaranthine’ was a highlight of the set for many and a moment of shared celebration. The chorus echoed throughout the Apollo, the audience participated in a truly collective experience that transcended nostalgia, affirming Amaranthe’s position as a band capable of uniting fans across styles and eras. Closing with ‘Drop Dead Cynical’, Amaranthe delivered a final, explosive surge of energy. It was a masterful conclusion: aggressive, melodic, and impossible to resist moving to.
The Manchester stop of the Arcane Dimensions Tour was a triumph of curation, pacing, and performance. Each band’s history and evolution contributed to the evening’s impact. Charlotte Wessels drew the audience inward with intimacy and emotional nuance, reflecting her evolution whilst exploring electronic and emotional depth. Epica elevated the night with cinematic power, drawing on two decades of symphonic mastery and conceptual ambition. Amaranthe delivered a euphoric, high-energy finale, a culmination of 15 years of genre-defying experimentation and crowd-igniting performances. This was more than a concert; it was a journey, carefully mapped, technically brilliant, and emotionally resonant. Manchester was treated to a night where every note, every vocal flourish, and every drumbeat felt purposeful, creating a memory that will linger long after the final applause.
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