Concerts: Tarja + Elyose @ Rock City, Nottingham, UK 02/12/2014 - Sea of Tranquility - The Web Destination for Progressive Music!

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Tarja + Elyose @ Rock City, Nottingham, UK 02/12/2014

Posted on Tuesday, February 25 2014 @ 07:27:42 CST by Dean Pedley

So I have to come clean and say I was not the biggest fan of Tarja in the world and was certainly open for all that to change. Did she 'turn' me onto her charms or simply push me further away? With just two rare dates in the UK, Tarja fans were out in force.

Elyose from France were tonights support, another female fronted band who describe themselves as Electro Metal. Featuring tracks from their debut album Théogyne their style is very similar to that of Tarja. Front woman Justine Daaé provides the eye candy for the male contingent with her ample vocal talents causing sufficient ripples within the crowd. Some excellent guitar work keeps heads nodding in approval while the songs soar along in their emphatic style. Whilst not breaking new ground, Elyose do a fine job of providing the pre-headline entertainment. With many bands doing a similar thing, I believe Elyose have what it takes to stand above the drowning talent of similar bands, album number two will give us a sign, but live, Elyose provide a solid performance.

You seem to forget how long ago Tarja left Nightwish, pursuing her own career has been quite the task but finally I believe she's now comfortable within her surroundings. Whilst Rock City wasn't sold out the emphatic noise that greets Tarja would indicate otherwise. A truly eclectic crowd of young females and 'older' men it's quite the mix and provides insight to the far teachings of her music. Kicking the set off with 'In For The Kill' seems stunningly appropriate, I was immensely impressed from the strum of the first note. '500 Letters' from her latest album Colours In The Dark received rapturous response, Tarja's vocal range superb. With what seems like a growing confidence in her performance I was nothing but bowled over by it all.

The six string fury of Alex Scholpp really elevated the band to new heights. Tarja has indeed surrounded herself with an immense group of musicians all providing a glorious foundation for Tarja to truly shine. As an encore Tarja couldn't possibly leave without a Nightwish track, 'Wish I Had An Angel' gave the crowd exactly what they wanted followed by a track from her first solo outing 'Until My Last Breath'. A stunning performance from a stunning performer, Tarja impressed me on every level tonight and that is no mean feat!

Words & Pictures - Mark Davies.