MAY 21st 2024
CIRCUS OF DOOM OVER NORTH AMERICA
Review by: Metal Mom Rita
Photos by: Char Tupper
Gallery: http://www.metaltitans.com/concertpics/battle-beast-blackbriar/

On this rainy night, it was time to head into town to see Battle Beast on their "Circus of Doom Over North America" tour, supported by Blackbriar here at The Rickshaw Theatre in downtown Vancouver.

Openers tonight are BLACKBRIAR (Netherlands), this band was a new one for me, and that is because this is their first time touring North America, congrats to them! They were a great choice for an oepning act with their melancholic gothic style. First time ever, I walked in to the venue and it was packed, haven't seen that in a long time, a packed venue for an opening band, (to be fair, it was a new band to North America, so die hard fans I am sure, made sure to be early). Great music and they felt right at home up on that stage. I didn't listen beforehand to any of their songs, sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. Tonight will be a surprise, besides, up on stage is their true sound after all. There were many who knew them and their music of course, I do now too, they brought it tonight, and I am happy I got the chance to witness their style. There was one though that caught peoples attention up there and that was the bassist Siebe Sol Sijpkens, who was always on the move, don't get me wrong, everyone else did a phenomenal job, but man did he really move! This band was the perfect for this tour, and I hope they return, because I will return to see them.

Headliners tonight are the mighty BATTLE BEAST (Finland) , and it is their first headlining North American tour ( another Congrats!). I knew I had to see them,I hadn't seen them since back in 2019 with Kamelot, they caught my attention real quick, so I knew when this tour was announced I would be there. Wow, they sure put on a show, a fun filled, energetic one. The floor was packed, and we did have a few crowd surfers. Each one of the band members tonight put on an amazing show, singer Noora captured your attention from her extravagent outfit, to her amazing voice, from start to finish, she gave 110%. I would love to know where she gets her energy from, she was non stop dancing and moving. The others were amazing as well, they knew what to do and did an fantastic job of it. Tonight, lucky me, I got the perfect spot, right up front, yes the sound may be better at the back, but you don't get to see the smiles, the actions between them, even the energy from the crowd, you can only experience that front and center. About halfway, they poured a few drinks, for a handful of fans in the front, which I am sure was a fun bonus experience for those fans. They played many amazing songs, some I knew from previously "Straight to the Heart", "Bastard Son of Oden", "Eden", “King for a Day,” and “No More Hollywood Endings", I could go on and on, because in truth, it didn't matter what song they played, including a ballad moment of "Can you Feel the Love Tonight" by Elton John, or as most of us know, the love song from the classic Disney film, "The Lion King." Even their encore started with the theme song to Star Wars, like I mentioned, they captivated the audience no matter what. I can tell you this, if you were not there, you missed one heck of a show. I can say their performance was like no other in their current touring cycles in North America right now.