Any assertion or illusion that symphonic Metal does not have a following here in the UK is shattered by the fact that Rebellion is heaving on a Wednesday. Not that Beyond the Black would accept that label. When we speak to them earlier they distance themselves from that particular genre positioning themselves as more melodic metal. As far as I am concerned you can call what they do Bob for all I care. What matters is that it is well made, well performed and beautifully orchestrated. But more about Beyond the Black in a mo.

Mister Misery are on first and god they want to be Avatar. Frontman Harley Vendetta is quirky and kooky and the response from the crowd borders on mickey taking. He addresses us as ‘Manchastrians’ and the sarcastic responses were probably not what he was expecting. They have embraced the dark cabaret aesthetic and there is a lot of play acting going on on the stage. Musically it isn’t bad. As said Avatar references shine out but there is also element of Black Veil Brides and Motionless in White coming out. Ultimately they have forged themselves a niche and they are resolutely going to stick with it. I am sure that there is an audience for what they do. I am just not sure it is here in ‘Manchasteria’ tonight.

Let’s cut to the chase, Beyond the Black are awesome tonight. In all seriousness they put on a flawless arena show in a tiny venue. They use two stages, in Rebellion. Yes, two stages in a venue that just about copes with one. This is commercial Metal at its best. Yes it is rehearsed, synchronised and lacking on improvisation but it is just done so so well. With huge apologies to the fellows, Jenny Haben is Beyond the Black. She has both an amazing voice and huge stage presence. But unlike other frontwoman she doesn’t feel detached. There is a real warmth and even humility to her approach.

As the band had pointed out to us earlier, this is slick highly polished melodic metal. The symphonic elements do pop out to say hello every now and again but in reality we are more in Halestorm territory now than that ruled over by Nightwish. What Beyond the Black have in spades is the songs. We get a good proportion of “Heart of the Hurricane” but more interestingly we also get an almost equal selection of tracks from debut album “Songs of Love Death”. They might have been written and recorded by (aside from Jenny) an entirely different line up but they are totally owned by the band. They have also been given a bit of makeover, the commercial aspects ratcheted up to the max while still remaining heavy.

As said eearlier, we get a tender and frankly quite moving acoustic set with ‘Through The Mirror’ and ‘Song For The Godless’ which sees Jennifer play the piano on the second stage. A drum solo designed solely (from what I can see) to allow Jenny a costume change then follows. After a final furlong culminating in a stunning version of ‘Hallelujah’ from the aforementioned “Songs of Love and Death”, we are then into a rapturously called for encore. Jenny platitudes of thanks and devotion feel real and heartfelt and leave us with 'In the Shadows' which sounds even bigger and bolder than ever. Yes I know that my usual field of devotion is scuzzy brittle Metal but tonight was an utter masterclass in how you do produced slick Metal well. Stunning!