Review & Photography by Manny Manson for MPM
Beneath the brickwork railway arches of Birmingham stands the XOYO, a new venue to me, having previously been called “The Mill” it has been taken over and revamped.
Tonight, is my first visit for three metal bands who will no doubt, wage a full-on sonic assault for the eager fans queuing around the block, waiting to get in as the typical UK weather decides we need a bit more rain for the garden. Again, tonight, promises to be a heavy metal carnival, with Finland’s “BATTLE BEAST” leading the charge on their continued “Circus of Doom” tour. Joined by “BYRMIR” and “SERENITY”, both bands being new to me live but promised Viking sagas, symphonic grandeur, and a whole lot of theatrical metal mayhem.
The night kicked off with “BYRMIR”, a Viking metal powerhouse from Helsinki, Finland, delivering their brand of melodic death metal. Formed in 2006, during a summer camp under the name LAI LAI HEI, after an Ensiferum track. The band have quickly made a name for themselves in the extreme metal scene with their epic soundscapes that combine the aggression of death metal with folk-inspired melodies. Their discography includes “Breathe Fire to the Sun” (2011),” Slayer Of Gods” (2016), “Divinity” (2017), “ Wings Of Fire” (2019), and their most recent album, “Voices in the Sky” (2022).
“BYRMIR” are:-
“Viktor Gullichsen” – Vox
“Joona Björkroth” – 7-String guitar didn’t play as he’s on Paternity leave.
“Patrik Fält” – Drums
“Jarkko Niemi” – Bass
“Sean Haslam” – & String Guitar
With a reputation for intense live shows, BYRMIR opened the set with the title track from their latest album, “Voices in the Sky”. The song’s powerful combination of soaring, clean vocals, growls, and symphonic elements immediately grabbed the crowd. It was a triumphant start, and it was obvious it wasn’t their first rodeo, with “Viktor Gulliksen’s voice rising above the wall of sound like a Norse war cry.
Next came “Ride on Spirit”,” another cut from “Voices in the Sky”, with its galloping riffs and thunderous drumming. BYRMIR’s tight instrumentation is nothing short of impressive, and the Digbeth crowd responded with the first of many headbanging sessions, this is a knowledgeable crowd and they know their Scandinavian metal. “Joona Björkroth guitar solo, sharp as a Viking sword, sliced through the venue, while the band’s epic melodies conjured images of longboats, icy fjords, and battle-ready warriors.
Things took an absurd but hilarious turn during “Herald of Aegir”,” where guitarist “Joona Björkroth” found himself being beaten by a stuffed pike, courtesy of vocalist “Viktor Gullichsen”. The crowd loved it, especially “Owen”, a local with some unexplained fish connection, who cheered louder than anyone. Only in Viking metal would a fish-based weapon become part of the show.
The short but intense set wrapped up with fan favourites like “Fly With Me” and its intro dig at Zuckerberg and, the explosive closer Kentucky Fried Chicken influenced “Wings of Fire” (from “Divinity”). Each song was met with roars from the audience, who were clearly here for some mythic metal escapism. As BYRMIR left the stage, there was a rush to the bar for a drink, the venue had the heating on so refreshments were much needed ready for the next chapter in the night’s metal saga.
Next to take the stage was Austria’s symphonic metal titans, ““SERENITY””. Formed in 2001, “SERENITY” has built a career out of weaving historical themes into their music, blending orchestral arrangements with hard-hitting metal. With influences ranging from “Nightwish” to “Blind Guardian”, their discography spans eight full-length albums, including “Words Untold & Dreams Unlived” (2007), “Fallen Sanctuary” (2008), “The Last Knight” (2020), and their latest offering “Nemisis AD” (2023). Their line-up has seen several changes over the years, but is currently
“Andreas Schipflinger “ – Drums,
“Georg Neuhauser” – Vox,
“Chris Hermsdörfer” – Guitar,
“Marco Pastorino” – guitar
“Fabio D’Amore” – Bass.
“SERENITY” kicked off their 45-minute set with “The Fall of Man” from their 2011 album “Death & Legacy”, a track filled with symphonic grandeur and fast-paced guitar work. “Georg Neuhauser” commands the stage with his operatic voice, while fellow guitarists, both sporting white LP style guitars left-handed “Marco Pastorino” and “Christian Hermsdörfer” deliver intricate riffs and soaring solos. Their blend of history-inspired lyrics and bombastic metal immediately has the crowd on side, who have raised their fists, almost in unison.
Next came “Ritter, Tod Und Teufel (Knightfall)”, a medieval-themed banger from their 2013 album “War of Ages”. The crowd seemed to relish the track’s storytelling vibe, while Neuhauser belted out lines like a king addressing his army before a climactic battle. The band’s polished, tight performance turned the gritty XOYO venue into a sea of nodding heads as they bowed to this Austrian symphonic metal.
As they launched into “Set the World on Fire” from “Codex Atlanticus” (2016), the crowd’s energy roared, the combination of nodding heads and heating had the temperature feeling like you had entered Valhalla . As the majestic, sweeping orchestral arrangements filled the space, it added to the sense that something epic was unfolding. Between songs, Neuhauser charmed the crowd with banter, even referencing England’s infamous King Henry VIII before launching into “Legacy of Tudors” (also from “War of Ages”).
The set ended on a high note with “Lionheart”,” a tribute to England’s Richard the Lionheart, from “The Last Knight”. The crowd responded in kind, with fists raised and horns in the air. The historical references may have been lost on some, but “SERENITY”’s soaring melodies and powerful delivery more than made up for any educational gaps, as head down and horns raised the fans, of which there were now several hundred new ones, galloped along to this thumper of a song.
After two impressive performances, the moment everyone had been waiting for finally arrived. Finland’s “BATTLE BEAST” emerged from the wings to the roaring applause of their loyal fans. Formed in 2008, “BATTLE BEAST” has become one of the leading bands in the power metal scene, known for their bombastic sound, catchy choruses, and larger-than-life live shows. With influences ranging from classic metal bands like “Judas Priest” to the more theatrical acts like “Nightwish”. “BATTLE BEAST”’s discography is packed with anthemic tunes. Albums like their self-titled ““BATTLE BEAST” (2013), “Bringer of Pain” (2017), and their latest, “Circus of Doom” (2022), have carved their name and their reputation as both modern metal titans and a must-see live show.
The current line-up of “BATTLE BEAST” includes:
“Noora Louhimo” – Vocals
“Juuso Soinio” – Guitars
“Joona Björkroth” – Guitars depped by “Atte Aho”
“Eero Sipilä” – Bass
“Janne Björkroth” – Keyboards
“Pyry Vikki” – Drums
The lights dimmed, and the room was filled with smoke as the band took their positions. The intro track “Circus of Doom” boomed through the speakers, the title track from their latest album, it was immediately clear that “BATTLE BEAST” meant business. Bathed in blue light, a backdrop of a Circus Big Top. Noora Louhimo, the band’s Valkyrie-like frontwoman, commanded the stage from the first note. Her powerful voice filled the venue, while CO2 cannons blasted jets of smoke in time with the music.
The pace didn’t slow down as the band tore through “Straight to the Heart” (from “Bringer of Pain”). Louhimo’s stage presence was mesmerising as ever; she prowled the stage like a warrior queen, her green pearlescent jacket changing colour through to gold as the lights caught it, engaging with the audience as she belted out the high-octane chorus. “BATTLE BEAST”’s music is a perfect blend of melodic hooks and driving metal riffs, and the crowd responded with non-stop headbanging, the energetic movements had the security barrier rocking back and forth with their moves
Next came “Familiar Hell” (also from “Bringer of Pain”), a song that’s become a “BATTLE BEAST” anthem. The crowd joined in, singing along as the smoke and lights swirled around the band, it felt like the compact XOYO had been transformed into a medieval battlefield. Louhimo’s voice soared over the chugging guitars, and the heat in the room was pushing the mercury out of the top of the thermometer.
“Armageddon” and “Place We Call Home” from “Circus of Doom” continued the onslaught, with each song building on the energy of the last. “BATTLE BEAST”’s sound is both cinematic and brutal, combining massive, symphonic elements with face-melting riffs and thunderous bass lines.
The band then shifted gears with “No More Hollywood Endings” (from their 2019 album of the same name), a more theatrical, almost pop-metal track. Louhimo’s dynamic range was on full display, going from gritty power metal queen to delivering the ballad-like choruses with equal finesse, as she eased into the anthemic “Eye of The Storm”, another from 2022’s Circus of Doom.
Then followed one of the night’s more unexpected moments. “Eero Sipilä” took centre stage to perform a cover of Elton John’s “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”.” It was an odd choice, but the crowd embraced it, swaying and singing along, lights from their phones shining strong as the bassist crooned. On command the crowd joined in with the chorus. As it finished “Eero” shouted “as you can sing 90’s Disney ballads you can sing Heavy Metal.” It was the calm before the storm, as the band immediately launched into “Where Angels Fear to Fly” (again from “Circus of Doom”), the crowd were once again encouraged to sing along which they did, with abandon. This was then followed by more fan favourites “Bastard Son of Odin” and “Russian Roulette” (both from “Bringer of Pain”).
The set drew to a close with “Eden”,” an epic, driving track from “No More Hollywood Endings”, the intro in which Noora encouraged a sing and respond before killing it with an epic performance of this “Beastly” epic anthem. With the stage now empty, the crowd roared for an encore, the band didn’t disappoint. Atte Aho (dep for Joona) came out and solo’d “The Force Theme” from “Star Wars”, “BATTLE BEAST” watched on as he wrung his Jackson guitar’s neck emitting screams, howls and cries, only for the keys and drums to join in and take over with “The Imperial March”, with “Joona’s” brother “Janne” playing this orchestral masterpiece on keytar; whilst “Eero” poured a frothing beer in his mouth as he played, and “Pyry” marking time with a concussive kick drum.
The band quickly reformed to finish off the night, cue more smoke and flashing lights, with “Master of Illusion”, “King for a Day” (from “Bringer of Pain”) with its call to be the loudest crowd on the tour, and the grand finale, “Beyond the Burning Skies” (another from “Bringer of Pain”). The roof lifted off as these last songs played out, the XOYO was now in a new postcode such was the combined powerhouse of thundering riffs and bouncing fans, who were baying for more as the band thanked Birmingham for turning out on a bath night. Noora looked visible emotional as she asked for the obligatory band/crowd photo. And as the last note faded and the crowd cheered for more, the Top Gun theme playing over the PA, it all perfectly signalling “BATTLE BEAST”’s victory in Birmingham.
From the Viking fury of “BYRMIR” to the symphonic elegance of “SERENITY”, and finally the larger-than-life power metal spectacle of “BATTLE BEAST”, this was a night that delivered on all fronts. Each band brought their A-game, and the crowd responded in kind. Whether you came for Viking sagas, historical epics, or sheer power metal bombast, you left the XOYO knowing one thing for sure: this metal circus was one for the masses.
