Brothers and sisters! Rejoice! Dwarf metal has come to Chicago!
On Saturday, April 20, I had the privilege to attend the sold-out Avondale Music Hall for Wind Rose and Xandria. What an adventure it was!
Xandria vocalist Ambre Vourvahis performs on stage in Chicago. (Damien Dennis/The Pit Media)
Kicking things off for the evening was the German symphonic metal band Xandria. Immediately you’re greeted with loud and powerful guitars and thunderous drums. This is everything I expected from a band in the power metal era or in their case, symphonic metal.
That is, until lead vocalist Ambre Vourahis started belting out her powerful lyrics.
The second I heard her start singing, it was like I entered some sort of trance. The range that she provides is something I don’t think I have ever witnessed live before. She can go from some insane high notes like an opera singer and right down to some low screams without skipping a bit or even sounding out of breath. I honestly can’t say how unreal it was just watching and hearing this.
They kicked things off with “You Will Never Be Our God” from their record The Wonders Still Awaiting and moved right into another record with “Death to The Holy” from Theater of Dimensions. They did go back and forth between their records, which I really like. It sometimes bothers me when bands will play half of a record and then move on to one or two from another, and then right back to the same record. Showing the variety Xandria has with their setlist was special and something I truly appreciated.
They closed off the night with their powerful and popular song “Nightfall” from Sacrificium. Now that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you close out a set. This song really shows off the talent this band brings to the table.
Check out TPM’s interview with Wind Rose guitarist Claudio Falconcini
@thepitmedia @Wind Rose in Chicago was pretty f’ing nuts! #windrose #diggydiggyhole #dwarf #fyp #yogscast #chicago ♬ original sound – The Pit Media
Moving on the the main act, we have the Dwarven Metal Gods — Wind Rose.
The house lights shut off and the crowd just went ballistic with uproar because they knew it was time. These dudes took you on a heavy metal journey through story. Kicking things off for the night was “Army of Stone” and moving right into “Fellows of the Hammer.”
As lead singer Frencesco Cavalieri stated, they entered the tavern for some drinks as they performed “Drunken Dwarves.” As I stated above, you are greeted with just thunderous drums and powerful, heavy guitar tones that melt your face off. The crowd reaction with every song was just high octane full of singing and jumping and feeding off of the bands energy.
The highlight of my night, though, was when they went into the popular “Diggy Diggy Hole.” Now, I know what you’re thinking, and no, I don’t just love the song because it has 54-plus million YouTube views and its probably their most popular song. I love it because there is also a dance mix of the song. I have been talking about that version for months to so many people. Guess what?
THEY BROUGHT OUT THE DANCE MIX!
I lost my mind. The crowd went nuts. The band was jumping around and having a blast performing it. This was everything I hoped it would be and more.
This tour is exceeding expectations. Half of the tour has been sold out for a month or longer. If the show is not sold out, its very close. They have had to upgrade a few of the venues to larger ones due to the high demand. They only have a few cities left on this tour so if they’re coming near you and its not sold out, grab tickets and go. You will not regret the adventure this tour provides you.
Wind Rose performed before a sell out crowed in Chicago. (Damien Dennis/The Pit Media)
