Event:	Amaranthe: European Massive Addictive Tour 2015
Written by:	Ivor
Published:	21.02.2015
Galleries:	Amaranthe - Tapper, Tallinn, Estonia, 10.02.2015 by Ivor (34)

I am usually genuinely surprised when some bands come to revisit my little country in a fairly short while, say a couple of years. For them to be back in just half a year is a pretty significant achievement, especially for something as popular as Amaranthe. Well, the new album has been released between then and now, and maybe not everybody could make it to the show in Haapsalu. Given the warm reception there, it is fairly logical for the band to take to the stage here in such a short while.

The gig was initially supposed to take place at Rock Café. However, it appears that things have turned sour there under the new management, and the event was moved to Tapper. There also may have been a question of the show not selling as well as it might have because, while Tapper is the smaller of the two venues, it was far from overcrowded for this gig; comfortably full is the suitable phrase on this occasion.





By hearsay, Cypher16 weren't supposed to be of much interest. That's by hearsay, and that is often incorrect. At least to some extent. Balancing on the border of rock and metal, Cypher16 have got at least two things going for them. First, the drive. Their songs are far from idle ballads and live they make for a great pastime. Second, the delivery. The band are pretty passionate about what they are doing and it's good in combination with the first point. However, and here's the downside, I have a feeling that in doses exceeding half an hour their kind of music gets tiresome. Let's say there's not enough variation for it not to blend together and leave a greyish impression.

When Amaranthe took to the stage, the crowd became a lot more involved in the show. However well Cypher16 might have done, the phrase of their singer rings true: "You're not here for us, you're here for Amaranthe." Surely it was the Amaranthe party that people where there for; the fast-paced, and short-lived party. While the band go through a lot of songs during their set, most of them are pretty concise and over in the blink of an eye, and thus the show itself flies by fast.





One thing that I've found a bit annoying over the course of the two Amaranthe shows I've seen so far is the absence of someone to actually play keyboards live. The stage already feels somewhat crowded by the three singers, but the feeling that a large portion of their sound comes from the tape sometimes bothers. Not that I know how that part of the puzzle could be solved. However, I immensely enjoy seeing their vocal trinity perform live for the variation that it brings to their music and because I'm a sucker for a good vocal interplay.

As much as I enjoy the easy-going nature of Amaranthe's songs, I have to say it's somewhat hard to describe the show itself. One thing that goes with their show is airing out your attic and switching off much of your conscious thought processes. You just take music that comes at you without deep introspection, letting the energy and emotions of the performers wash over you. It's raw and unfiltered. It's a way to relax and have a good time by just being there and enjoying the show. Frankly, there's no need to pretend it to be anything else.





Set list:
1. Digital World (Massive Addictive)
2. Hunger (Amaranthe)
3. Invincible (The Nexus)
4. Razorblade (The Nexus)
5. 1.000.000 Lightyears (Amaranthe)
6. Rain (Amaranthe)
7. Over And Done (Massive Addictive)
8. Trinity (Massive Addictive)
9. Massive Addictive (Massive Addictive)
10. Afterlife (The Nexus)
11. Electroheart (The Nexus)
12. (Drum Solo)
13. Leave Everything Behind (Amaranthe)
14. Amaranthine (Amaranthe)
15. Call Out My Name (Amaranthe)
Encore:
16. Dynamite (Massive Addictive)
17. Drop Dead Cynical (Massive Addictive)
18. The Nexus (The Nexus)

In the end the show was what I was after: an enjoyable, effortless, and relaxing pastime. This is what Amaranthe can deliver easily and I'll gladly catch another of their shows if an opportune moment turns up. Simply because it's fun in a simple way.