Chronicle: Halestorm + Evanescence
Photos + Written by Joel Barrios Méndez - Translated by Googlewww.madeinmetal.es/index.php/conciertos/cronicas/14117-cronica-halestorm-evanescenceTuesday, November 30, 2021
Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida - 98ROCK's Not So Silent Night 2021
Bands with female vocalists are nothing new under the sun today, and they are certainly not the novelty they used to be in the '70s, where you could count on the fingers of both hands those that were successful. I have honestly always despised the 'definition' used for decades as it groups them all into a sexist subgenre, segregating them from their male peers and labeling them as an exception to the rule, when in reality they have been rocking, progressing and dominating every time. More musical landscapes, giving their counterparts more than just a female presence.
To my liking, there is always an added element of enthusiasm in a performance where the center of attention is on one of these super talented women who can easily display the authority and charm of what was once stupidly categorized as "sex. weak". Now, we were being offered a show featuring two highly respected and influential bands who have managed to make their way to stardom, making their way into the Top 40 of official rock and metal albums several times, and suddenly I have a reason to participate in. a very long round trip to witness the Halestorm and Evanescence tour with my own eyes.
Despite being four and a half hours from my home, Tampa's Amalie Arena is one of the top three places I've had the opportunity to work during my photojournalism adventure. However, what gives that venue its luster is not exactly its size (though I'd have to admit 670,000 square feet is an impressive number) or its top-notch entertainment features, but the respect and professionalism with which it is treated. your media representatives. I have experienced firsthand a very different approach to photographers and the press in general in many other places, therefore it seems only right to congratulate them on the friendly and helpful attitude towards us, certainly the icing on the whole experience.
Describing nightly events is a daunting task, because no matter how good you may be with adjectives, you had to be there and "'feel it." Halestorm opened the festivities in a tight, passionate and adrenaline-fueled way. Lzzy Hale's scenic and magnetic personality was the main focal point, combining her rare ability to bring her voice to the brink of explosion to the precise moment it stops, offering the joyous crowd a raw, fervent and memorable performance. Right behind her and dressed in colorful clothing, her brother Arejay HaleHe raised the spirit of celebration to higher levels with his theatrical yet precise touch, playing standing up, throwing sticks in the air, spitting one out of his mouth and catching it in the middle of the beat, or taking his performance up a notch with a juicy solo of drums with oversized drumsticks.
A series of multi-colored lights pointed at bassist Joe Smith and guitarist Joe Hottinger as they moved pushing the upbeat, sometimes funkier and undoubtedly heavy riffs in what was a repertoire of eleven songs, breaking with "Do Not Disturb" and “I Get Off.” Hale and Hottinger traded solo more than once in the handful of extended improvisations the band mixed together on set, her on her Gibson Joan Jett Signature Melody Maker guitar, effortlessly spitting rough, harsh notes.
In one of the many shocking moments of the evening, Amy Lee of Evanescence joined Hale at the piano to perform "Break In" Halestorm certainly a pleasure for the frantic public able to observe the deep admiration that the two singers feel oozing throughout the poignant piece. Returning to hard-rock, Lzzy and company closed the set with the double installment of "Uncomfortable" and perhaps their most recognized hit, the colossal "I Miss Misery", a true classic, retro hard rock cut with choruses that transported my mind to the anthem "Heartbreaker" by Pat Benatar.
Halestorm left the crowd excited and hungry for more, the bar being categorically set too high for Evanescence to follow. But they followed suit, possibly with the longest collection of songs they've played in a long time. In a bold move, which was undoubtedly worth it judging by the audience's unwavering reactions, the list of nineteen songs included most of the band's most recent album, "The Bitter Truth," and the opening salvos were based on on the dramatic and shadowy duo of "Broken Pieces Shine" and "Made of Stone" before hitting the pedal of ferocity with "Take Cover," exponentially increasing fan enthusiasm.
Unsurprisingly, Amy Lee's mesmerizing voice was the main driving force throughout the performance, and she certainly stole the spotlight. She had no challenges to overcome with her vocal delivery, she remained vivid and amazingly resonant as she moved across the stage, sometimes appearing behind Will Hunt's towering drum throne , or simply reaching up to the front as the tempo increased to a crescendo. His bandmates delivered a flawless performance, drummer Will Hunt vehemently punishing his instrument and headbanging incessantly, while guitarist Troy McLawhorn and bassist Tim McCordThey provided a deluge of tuned riffs and thunderous bass, and guitarist Jen Majura rounded out the sound with stellar backing vocals. All of the above was accompanied by fascinating images displayed through a pyramidal screen in the center, along with diagonal LED lights that spanned both sides above the stage, illuminating the already spectacular set-up of the stage.
The singer didn't speak to the crowd often, but when she did, she made the words count. Lee seemed to be on the verge of tears when he introduced the older song "Lithium". He addressed the pandemic and the suffering and loss that many have felt, urging the crowd not to be desensitized by the onslaught of bad news and to continue to feel the pain of the tragedy.
Some of the highlights of the sets were fueled by lesser-known songs from the band. "End of the Dream", taken from his album "Synthesis", was remarkable in both the set design and the presentation, meanwhile, in the middle of the set, a "home movie" video was played on the triangular screen. , which featured a myriad of scenes spanning his twenty-six-year career before launching into a roaring rendition of "Better Without You." This time, Lee brought Hale together to sing a riveting version of Linkin Park's "Heavy," with both singers' voices rising to the stratosphere.
With the entire crowd chanting, two more tracks took over: the anthem "Use My Voice" followed by the band's smash hit, "Bring Me to Life," this time without the male vocals. After a short break, Lee sat down at the piano for a downright emotional rendition of the ballad "My Immortal" before the rest of the band joined in to close things out theatrically with one of the highlights from their recent album, the atmospheric, wonderfully and lyrically psychedelic "Blind Belief."
“98ROCK's Not So Silent Night 2021” was a testament to how much bands like Halestorm and Evanescence continue to be the bearers of the torch that celebrates the power of women in rock, carrying it forward and upward. Fast-paced, adventurous hard-rock songs with god-commanded riffs, wall-shaking drums and climactic guitar solos, plus the fierce and explosive presence of Lzzy Hale and Amy Lee simply brought the show to an exclusive venue, where only portentous and cathartic exhibitions of top musicians are allowed. Bravo!
We remind you that Halestorm will be at La Riviera in Madrid on February 23, are you going to miss them? While Evanescesce has fallen from the Iron Maiden and Within Temptation lineup on July 29, 2022 at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, betting on a unique date, on April 19, at the Vistalegre Palace in Madrid.
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