Beast in Black destroyed Metro Music Hall in Salt Lake City on April 25, 2022 during their first headlining tour in North America. The band has been around since 2017 but never toured North America until 2022. Based on the response of the Salt Lake City crowd it will not be their last tour in North America.
The evening started out with Striker. This band, from Canada has been around and touring in the US for about ten years now. They have a very loyal following and sounded amazing as they plowed through set. They have a very 80’s metal sound. In addition to their great sound, they were also very animated on stage and just overall put on a very good show.
Next up was Seven Kingdoms from Florida. This four piece has a power-metal sound with a very impressive vocalist in Sabrina Valentine. They played a nice variety of songs from their five-album catalog including their latest release Zenith. At one point during their set, they played a blazing cover of Don Henley’s “Boys of Summer.”
And then, Beast in Black took the stage with a commanding presence and “Blade Runner” from their latest release Dark Connection. The set quickly dove into “From Hell With Love.” Three songs into the set the crowd was getting pummeled by the title track of the band’s debut album “Beast in Black.” This song set the tone as singer Yannis Papadopoulos hit every note from the top to the bottom. Atte Palokangas also put on a clinic for anyone wanting to become a power metal drummer during the song. “Highway to Mars” continued the set, another song from Dark Connection. One of my favorite Beast in Black songs “Born Again” was up next. Throughout the show bassist Máté Molnár lined up with guitarists Anton Kabanen and Kasperi Heikkinen and they all banged heads in a synchronicity reminiscent of the Scorpions during the 80’s.
“Cry Out For a Hero” off of From Hell with Love, Beast in Black’s second album was next in the setlist. The beat heavy track “Bella Donna” was dedicated to all the ladies of the venue. “Moonlight Rendezvous” and “Hardcore” continued the set that would have no extended solos. Ten songs into the set “No Surrender” kept up the fast pace, headbanging and spot on in high gear. The band did not slow down at all as they tore through “Sweet True Lies” and “Die by the Blade.” As the set began to wind down “One Night in Tokyo” kept the crowd singing along with Papadopoulos. The breakout hit “Blind and Frozen” energized everyone and the crowd began jumping up and down to the beat of the song. The set finally came to an end with the aptly titled “End of the World.”
Throughout the show the band continually commented on the crowd’s intensity and assured them they would be back again. Beast in Black are definitely a new band in the US touring market, but their intensity and drive will ensure that they are a staple as they continue to grow their catalog and base.
Look for Beast in Black to completely conquer the US at some point in the near future. They will continue their tour through the first of May and then continue as the opening act for Nightwish. This was easily my favorite show of the year so far.
