VERIDIA
WITHIN TEMPTATION / EVANESCENCE
FIRST DIRECT ARENA, LEEDS
Symphonic and alt metal titans finally bring the manna for the faithful
THREE YEARS. THAT’S how long the faithful have waited for this moment. The Internet lost its shit when Within Temptation and Evanescence – two bands who have blazed parallel paths, emerging in the early 00s to become figureheads for their respective scenes – announced their Worlds Collide tour back in late 2019. After four postponements, there’s a sense the fans who have shown up in their droves for early doors still can’t quite believe tonight’s show is actually happening.
Up first, though, Nashville’s VERIDIA are a well-pitched opener who veer between alt rock and anthemic pop sensibilities. Vocalist Deena Jakoub has a penchant for theatrics that goes down well as she spins across the stage between blazing orange wings, but it’s when Evanescence’s Amy Lee turns up to play piano on I’ll Never Be Ready that the energy in the room uncoils like a taut spring.