LIVE FROM THE PIT: Beyond The Black, SETYØURSAILS and Seraina Telli

BEYOND THE BLACK are no typical symphonic metal act. Their mix of symphonic and at times electronic elements set them apart from other bands within this subgenre such as EPICA. The German outfit also rarely visits the UK. The last time the band toured the country was in 2022, and that was a co-headline with electronic metallers AMARANTHE. This time, though, BEYOND THE BLACK have returned to the O2 Ritz, the same venue they co-headlined with their Swedish friends, but as proper headliners, and with a production that is almost arena worthy. Support came from metalcore band SETYØURSAILS, and SERAINA TELLI, making this tour opening show one to remember. 

Starting the festivities was hard rock two-piece SERAINA TELLI. This set was full of passion. SERAINA sang her heart out and alongside drummer MIKE MALLOTH, they delivered a set full of catchy bangers. About halfway through the set, the versatile vocalist introduced a keyboard into the show to play a ballad, which led into the synths being more prevalent in the show, and this is when the crowd really started to get into the music. Towards the end, the crowd were fully engaged with the performance, and gave the two musicians a raucous response when they finished their set. It was evident that the crowd expected a heavier, perhaps more energetic opener, but what they received instead was a melodic, fist pumping hard rock show, which should have lasted perhaps fifteen minutes longer.

After a very brief wait, the SETYØURSAILS intro tape started playing, and seemingly out of nowhere the band members ran onstage. What followed was an action-packed performance which left absolutely no prisoners. Frontwoman JULES MITCH constantly jumped up and down, danced and ordered the crowd to move around, encouraging moshpits to cause havoc inside the venue. Musically though, the lack of guitar solos was made up by the other band members also jumping around and commanding the stage. The true highlight of the set was when JULES told the crowd to scream “Fuck off” to the band, which led them into playing the song of the same name. This left the crowd delighted ahead of their final couple of songs in their setlist meaning that their job as the main support act this evening was done, and fiercely at that.

Once SETYØURSAILS left the stage, the longest wait of the evening begun, and with a massive curtain being raised, it was only a matter of time before the highly anticipated headliners showed up. The curtain did drop about ten or fifteen minutes before they would come on, meaning that this was done simply so that the crew could check that everything was good to go. These last few minutes flew by though, and in no time, BEYOND THE BLACK arrived. Kicking off with Break The Silence, the band tore through their new songs effortlessly, alongside older songs such as Songs Of Love And Death. Frontwoman JENNIFER HABEN danced non stop, constantly smiling, but the true standout on that stage was lead guitarist and harsh vocalist CHRIS HERMSDOERFER. He crushed through each solo effortlessly whilst being fully intimidating onstage. This time though, he had a bigger role in the show than he usually does, as about halfway through the main set of the show, he joined JENIFFER at the front of the stage to play the first verse and chorus of Wounded Healer, followed by the live debut of a new ballad called Ravens. 

The main set closed with In The Shadows. This is not only one of the most iconic BEYOND THE BLACK tracks, but it is also one of those songs which get recommended for new listeners who are just getting into heavy metal music. After this phenomenal, yet a little muffled rendition, a three-song encore, which ended in their typical show closer Hallelujah. Ending the first show of the Rising High Tour in a way which the crowd adored, and left everyone in the venue asking for more. 

This was a show to remember. The production was arena worthy, with a massive screen raised high above the drum kit adding a magical, colourful element to the show outside of the lighting which made sure that each song had a different colour in the set, and both openers delivered performances which left everyone more than satisfied. This proves that BEYOND THE BLACK have not just risen high, they have risen to the heavens, and are well on their way to playing much bigger venues.

Words: Itay Gilad

Photos: Lauren Wenham