Within Temptation/Annisokay/Blind8
Within Temptation triumphantly returned to the Czech Republic on October 24th, performing in the Sportovni Hala arena in the Czech capital. Since their participation at the Masters of Rock event last year. Well, with this occasion, their set was longer, their production was much larger, and they surrounded themselves with young and emerging talent such as Annisokay and Blind8.
Blind8
This Ukrainian group recently became part of the Bleed Out tour after navigating a number of obstacles that delayed their participation. Their vibrant energy and enthusiasm during the performance truly set the tone for the night. The message of solidarity and assistance for their homeland amidst the ongoing war was clearly felt, and although their performance was brief, their dynamic presence and vigor were well-received by the Czech audience at the venue.
Annisokay
The last performance of this German band in the Czech Republic was this past summer at the closing day of the Masters of Rock festival under a scorching 35-degree weather that made their set one of the hottest gigs I have ever experienced at the festival ever. This time around their show was not only longer but way more brutal and energetic than the one at MOR. You can argue that the presence of over 9000 metalheads at the time of their set was destined to be something epic. The crowd got warmed at the rhythm of songs like: Into the Abyss, Ultraviolet and Like a Parasite which made a hush fell over the crowd as Sharon of Within Temptation joined them on stage to perform this collaboration song with Annisokay. But, their amazingness of their performance didn’t stop there as they played; Human, Calamity and STFU, which put the whole pit section to jump and sing along with them. Definitely one of the most promising bands out there in the modern metal genre, we definitely look forward to see them again when they return to the Czech Republic next summer at the Rock Castle festival in Moravsky Krumlov in August 2025.
Within Temptation
Two years since the last time I saw the them live at Metalfest in Plzen, this time inside of an arena and away from the rain. Their new stage production is second to none, amazing LED panels with amazing displays that tell the story of each song as the setlist moves along, all really well framed on an interior castle-like wall display that it just beautiful to appreciate as you sing along and head bang. As bands developed and grow so does their live shows and their setlists, so it was not surprising to see several new and modern Within Temptation material such as: We go to war, Bleed Out, Ritual and Wireless. Which are defining to the current moment of the band and reflect their connection with modern metal without leaving behind their original identity.
"Shot in the Dark" and "Stand My Ground" struck a chord as the band revisited their beloved earlier material. "A Fool’s Parade," featuring Ukrainian artist Alex Yamal, addressed the ongoing invasion affecting the Eastern European nation. It’s a poignant song that carries a significant and urgent message. The Promise and I feel immortal brought to the stage the unique and incomparable of Tarja which did some part of the tour with her band, but in this occasion, it was just her and Sharon on stage on an amicable duel of two of the most powerful and iconic vocalists in metal. After the first riffs of Faster all when down memory lane as we were transported to the golden years of Within Temptation with hits like Our solemn hour, All I Need, Paradise (with Tarja) and closing with the hymn that is Mother Earth. What else we could say as tears, sweat and gone voices were shed on that arena that night, an amazing performance by an everchanging band that keeps bringing generations together as mothers, fathers, sons and daughters were all there enjoying each song some modern some classic but all under the dome of the powerhouse that is Within Temptation. The Dutchies will return next year as they have been announced as one of the headliners of Metalfest 2025.
