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On stage: Evil Masquerade



- Evil Masquerade - Mar. 2010 - Copenhagen (DK) -


www.evilmasquerade.com









- Evil Masquerade - March 12th 2010 - Copenhagen (DK), The Rock -





Evil Masquerade - live in Copenhagen


Evil Masquerade - live in Copenhagen


Evil Masquerade - live in Copenhagen


Evil Masquerade - live in Copenhagen


Evil Masquerade is a Danish melodic metal band formed in 2003 by Swedish born guitarist, composer and producer Henrik Flyman (Lacrimosa, ex-Moahni Moahna, ZooL, Wuthering Heights). They have recorded four albums so far, the latest being Fade To Black (2009). Since 2005 Apollo Papathanasio (Firewind) has been the singer of the band. The other members of Evil Masquerade are Thor Jeppesen (bass), Jens Berglid (drums) and Mikkel Henderson (keyboard).
So far Evil Masquerade have not toured much. There are a few years now since they played at The Rock in Copenhagen. Friday 12 March was a special night for all Evil Masquerade fans that had gathered to see the band re-enter the stage at The Rock. There were not only Danish fans at this show, but fans from Lithuania, the UK and Sweden for example. Sadly the place was far from full. Those who came were treated with a nice selection of songs from the band's four albums, like But You Were Smiling, Black Ravens Cry, Different Shades Of Black and Hollow Soul to mention just a few.
Apollo Papathanasio is a great singer that really suits Evil Masquerade's dramatic style of metal. He has a powerful and expressive metal voice that at times reminds you of Ronnie James Dio, yet having its own greatness without being a mere Dio sound alike. He is a very good performer too. Throughout the show you got the impression that he acted out the songs rather than moved around on stage like singers normally do. The emotions he put into the words were not only evident in his voice, but were shown in his whole body language. It may not sound that special, but you rarely see a singer use his whole body when singing. Apollo Papathanasio is one of those few exceptions that you enjoy watching as much as listening to.
Evil Masquerade's guitarist Henrik Flyman is a very talented musician and the one that is most important for the band's unique sound.
He is the driving force in the band's music and his riffs are a large part of the band's sound. He played with both feeling and power. Whether he was just playing or interacting with the audience, he did it with a natural ease and it was evident he liked being on stage. His guitar playing on top of heavy 70's sounding keyboards, driving bass lines and powerful drumming was really exquisite.
The band made a couple of short 'breaks' during the show for solos. The most memorable one was when Flyman sat down on the stage in front of some younger fans while playing a guitar medley of various songs, from metal to folk music. To judge from the happy look on these young fans' faces he made their evening. It was also clear that he enjoyed that moment as much as these young guys did.
As a whole Evil Masquerade came on as a very tight and energetic unit. They seemed to enjoy themselves just as much as the audience did. Musically the band is a wonderful mix of references to Rainbow and Dio for example (they also played a short sample of Dio's Holy Diver, the closest to doing a cover they ever got), classical music and modern metal. The two large candelabras that were the only stage properties the band used gave the whole show a nice atmosphere. If Evil Masquerade come to a place near you, invite yourself and let them 'Welcome you to the Show'. You'll be in for a treat!




JHP
(guest writer)

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