What I have here is the download of a 135 minutes long 15-year anniversary show that took place on the 28th of July, 2012. As it was a special occasion they used a special venue and performed at Dalhalla which is an amphitheatre located in a former limestone quarry, located 7 km north of Lake Siljan and the town of Rättvik in Dalecarlia in central Sweden. It is also being released as a double CD with DVD, but as I haven’t seen any of the footage I can’t comment on that side but from what I hear it was a hell of a show. As it was such an important event, the band brought in special guests such original members Jesper Strömblad and Mikael Stanne, as well as ex-guitarist Stefan Elmgren, among others.
When it comes to power metal you either like it or you don’t. For some metalheads it is too melodic or symphonic, while those who favour the lighter end of the spectrum feel that it is too heavy. But, if like me you are happy listening to good music whatever the genre or sub-genre then you are in for a treat as here was a band determined to put on a hell of a show. Joacim Cans is in fine voice, the band all kick it along with the melodies firing over heavy bottom end. In many ways they are similar to the more metallic areas of Savatage or Rhapsody, but with no keyboards. 26 songs, nearly two hours long, this is a heck of a show and well worth investigating.
