Evanescence
Fallen
On Sale Now
For $13.28

Leaving their troubled Berlin experiences behind, goth metal outfit Evanescence finally arrived in Melbourne to kickstart the 2004 summer concert season. As the sun gradually set over the city, a capacity crowd sprawled into Festival Hall in anticipation of Evanescence’s debut Melbourne performance.

“Who are Full Scale?” the crowd continually asked as musty smoke fuelled the general admission floor and accentuated the impatient atmosphere. Last tunings were heard and set lists were outlaid. Finally, Full Scale emerged from the blackened backstage area. Crutey took his stool whilst Robkkay and Jimmy T stared into the sea of punters with an accomplished smile on their faces. Confidently poised, Zeke rose with the microphone as an instant surge of metal riffs and aggressive drums exploded from the extensive speaker arrangement. Zeke instantly absorbed the energy and interest from onlookers who until now had never experienced a Full Scale set. From the politically fuelled “Feel It” to the impressionable “Empty Texas”, Full Scale was successful in launching their conquering aural onslaught with their exhaustive yet professional style. Full Scale revealed new material in their somewhat short set to enthrall a handful of supporters and intrigue an uninitiated majority. The crowd was left with the last lingering echoes of Five-Six, an indisputable sign that Full Scale are finally reaping the rewards from the last three years in a Melbourne underground existence.

Despite a minor following in Australia, Canada’s Finger Eleven arrived and impressed. Irrepressible guitar riffs and blinding drum sequences were complimentary to Scott Anderson’s superior vocal presence. Anderson remained precise in captivating his audience’s attention as each lyric and melody from their latest self titled release were faultlessly delivered. A momentary glimpse into the wave of newfound fans indicated a surprise in Finger Eleven that revealed a sense of achievement in a city so far away from home.

A wave of stubborn black curtains kept eager fans at bay as the dwindling last moments eventually ran their course. Suddenly, the drapes were callously ripped from attention and the scene was met by an adolescent chorus of “Amy… Amy…Aaaaammmyyyyy!” The call was answered. Perched high above an iron platform Amy Lee greeted her admirers with the eerie echoes of “Haunted”. Teenage followers surrendered to Lee’s tingling melodic clarity and hypnotic presence whilst Melbourne’s metal fraternity was greeted by stand in guitarist, Cold’s Terry Balsamo. Strategically leading to “Going Under”, Evanescence elevated their dominating on stage ability with the angelic “My Last Breath”. Lee allured her attentive audience further with “Tourniquet” and exhibited Evanescence’s respect for their influences in a contrasting rendition of Soundgarden’s “4 th of July”. “My Immortal” refused to be exempt from Evanescence’s impressive set list and the crowd was accommodating to Lee’s encouraging request to help sing her delicate lyrics. Melbourne’s rewarding appreciation of the evening’s proceedings was indicative of Lee’s refreshing songwriting and vocal prowess as well as Evanescence’s original yet uncompromised place in today’s international Rock scene.

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