Following a series of grand quests with the likes of Gloryhammer, Fellowship return to UK shores for another adventure of a lifetime in support of their latest album, The Skies Above Eternity. Within Silence and 40,000 Leagues were there to bolster their numbers and help defeat evil in whatever form it took.
First up was Within Silence, a very European breed of power metal that drew influence from the most important figures in the genre, with Helloween and Iron Maiden the most prominent. Vocalist Martin Klein had a definite Bruce Dickinson twinge to his voice, while some of the faster songs gave off a thrashy DragonForce crossed with Avantasia feel, as on ‘The Final Victory’. If you’re looking for a more European DragonForce with Andy Deris from Helloween on vocals, then you’ve pretty much found it with Within Silence.
There’s a bit of thrash going on with tracks like ‘Calling from the Other Side’ as the chunky riffs just keep coming, accompanied by the powerful drumming of Peter Balusik, who even got his own killer drum solo. The massive harmonies, trade-off solos and bone-chilling screams of ‘The Road to Paradise’ alone make this a set to remember as they started a wonderful night of metal and mania.
Next up was Manchester-based metalcore outfit 40,000 Leagues. A hometown show is always the place to prove yourself, and 40,000 Leagues pulled that off spectacularly. They came armed with a collection of chugging, noodly riffs, a cheeky northern sense of humour and even a surprise cover of Chaka Khan‘s ‘Ain’t Nobody’, complete with harmonised guitar work and screams.
40,000 Leagues were easily the heaviest band on the bill, bringing an onslaught of proggy metalcore riffs in between the big choruses, yet at no point did it feel out of place with the rest of the lineup. 40,000 Leagues brought out a different form of power from Within Silence and Fellowship as several tonnes of steel crushed the Rebellion audience, and as they walked off stage, everyone was quietly hoping for a headline show.
After a short break, Fellowship revealed themselves with their flags and flamboyant costumes. Every single member exuded a sense of wonderment, mystery and magic as they launched straight into ‘Until the Fires Die’, and instantly Manchester was transported to a far-off land of adventure, bonded by friendship and a never-ending quest to defeat evil with the power of music.
Fellowship, like many power metal bands, boast an immensely talented collection of musicians, with guitarist Brad Wosko performing some of the most absurd guitar solos: colossal sweeps and runs that boast near-infinite stamina and control. Tracks like ‘Dawnbreaker’ contain licks worthy of DragonForce without sacrificing the most jovial, lighthearted tone this side of Eurovision, as frontman Matthew Corry exclaims, “are you ready to get happy with us?” The answer was a resounding yes.
While Fellowship are at their absolute peak going a million miles an hour, they still have the ability to slow down and deliver some serious riffs. ‘Hearts Upon the Hill’ gets the entire crowd bouncing with its Iron Maiden style chugging and infectious melodies, further proving you don’t need to be the fastest to deliver some heft. Drummer Callum Tuffen and bassist Ed Munson lay down a glorious groove and let the rest of the band fill in the little details that make Fellowship a powerhouse among modern power metal acts.
Brad Wosko has the insurmountable task of performing music best handled by two guitarists. You can feel where the harmonies would slot in, and tracks like ‘Victim’ and ‘The Saint Beyond the River’ feel like they’d be home to some of the best trade-off solos you’ve ever heard. For now you’ve got Brad alone, yet he still establishes himself as an absolute sorcerer with a six-string.
Frontman Matthew Corry gets his opportunity to pull a Celine Dion style ballad in a sea of light, his siren song filling the room in the form of ‘Hold Up Your Hearts (Again)’. It’s important for a power metal band to have this slow moment during a raucous, humid show, a chance for the audience to reflect on their night of whimsy and mysticism, but it’s not long before the big tracks start hitting the speakers again.
The show ended with the legendary chorus of ‘Glory Days’ followed by the marching-band intro of ‘Glint’. These tracks wholly embody the pure grandeur and wizardry of Fellowship, and the audience walked away at 9:45 with enough metal for the journey home…
Fellowship may not be the biggest band, but a discography of only two albums establishes them as a force to be reckoned with as they team up with ever more powerful heroes on their never-ending quest to vanquish the forces of darkness with the power of metal and friendship.
May the force be with you.
