October 29, 2024 @Spektrum
Oslo, Norway
Review by: Freya Ødegård
Soilwork in Norway: Setting the Stage for a Night of Scandinavian Metal Mastery. Arch Enemy and In Flames co-headlining tour. Taking turns ending the show.
From the moment Soilwork launched into Stabbing the Drama, the energy in the room was electric. Björn “Speed” Strid’s vocals cut through the venue, switching between powerful screams and soaring cleans with ease. This track is a classic for a reason, with riffs that demand headbanging and choruses you can’t help but shout along to. The band didn’t hold back, treating us to a sound that felt heavy and polished but with just the right amount of raw grit.
Arrival followed, bringing a darker, almost cinematic atmosphere. Sven Karlsson’s keyboards added an eerie backdrop, giving the song a depth that builds live in a way recordings can’t fully capture. Then, they dove into Exile, a fan favorite that had the crowd moving and chanting every word. Speed’s vocal control is insane, and hearing this one live was a reminder of how his voice can swing from intensity to melody, balancing perfectly between aggression and beauty.
With Distortion Sleep, the band showcased their ability to go from hard-hitting riffs to melodic hooks seamlessly. Sylvain Coudret’s guitar work was spot-on here, slicing through the mix with riffs that demand your attention. The crowd could feel every note, and it was like the whole room was caught up in this shared intensity.
Spirit of No Return slowed things down a bit, creating a haunting atmosphere that felt like a brief, dark lull. But Soilwork didn’t let us rest for long. Next up was Övergivenheten, the title track from their recent album, which hit hard with its mix of melancholy and raw power. Hearing a Swedish song in Norway felt like a unique homage to the Nordic connection between fans of both countries. The song is both heavy and introspective, and it was clear from the crowd’s reaction that this track has already become a staple.
When they moved into Death Diviner, you could feel the energy rise again. The song is an emotional rollercoaster with an anthemic chorus that hits harder live than you’d ever expect. It’s one of those songs that feels almost cathartic, like the band is purging something deep, and the crowd was right there with them, singing and moving with the music.
The Ride Majestic came in like a storm. There’s something about this track that’s pure metal poetry—the heavy riffs, the soaring vocals, and the epic feel of the music itself. This song was a highlight for me, as it’s a perfect showcase of Soilwork’s ability to balance their melodic death metal roots with a progressive edge. And as they transitioned into Stålfågel, the energy was uncontainable. This song has that perfect mix of melody and heaviness, and it felt like the ideal closer, with Speed hitting every note and the crowd hanging on to each one.
Opening for two giants like In Flames and Arch Enemy is no small feat, but Soilwork didn’t just hold their own—they owned the stage. Tonight’s performance was a reminder of why Soilwork has earned their place as legends in the melodic death metal world. They’re more than just a support act; they’re a band that’s left an undeniable mark on the genre.
SETLIST
Stabbing the Drama
Arrival
Exile
Distortion Sleep
Spirit of No Return
Övergivenheten
Death Diviner
The Ride Majestic
Stålfågel
Arch Enemy in Oslo: A Night with Alissa White-Gluz and the Unbreakable Power of Metal
This was the night. Arch Enemy was back in Oslo, and to say I was excited doesn’t cut it. This band has been a part of my life for years, and Alissa White-Gluz? She’s an absolute icon, a Vegan goddess. The reason I converted! Seeing her live feels like a dream every time.
Arch Enemy’s much-anticipated return to Norway turned the venue into a battleground of riffs, roars, and adrenaline-pumping metal anthems. With a crowd hungry for the power-packed setlist, the air was electric as the lights dimmed, and every fan knew they were in for a ride.
Opening with Deceiver, Deceiver, Alissa White-Gluz stormed the stage, and right from the first growl, her voice cut through the room with unrelenting force. She might as well have declared war on Oslo that night. Her stage presence is magnetic—she prowled the stage, so much energy, commanding every headbang and scream from the crowd. The track hit like a gut-punch, setting a blistering pace that didn’t let up as the band thundered into The World Is Yours. It’s clear: Arch Enemy isn’t just playing for us; they’re conquering.
Alissa’s got this way of commanding the room, like she’s reaching into your soul with every growl. I lost my voice before we even hit halfway through the set, and I didn’t care.
By the time First Day in Hell started, I was completely in it. That song hits differently live, especially when you feel that intense, dark energy pulsing from the stage. Alissa poured everything into it, and watching her embody every lyric and emotion was insane. There’s something about this song—maybe it’s the way it dives into facing life’s darker days—that speaks right to me.
Alissa’s range is mind-blowing; she shifts effortlessly from brutal to melodic, and you’re right there with her, like she’s screaming out every suppressed feeling for you. And it’s not just her, Michael Amott and Joey Concepcion absolutely crushed it. Their solos in Dream Stealer and My Apocalypse were pure fire. The way they play off each other is incredible, like they’re having their own conversation in riffs. Bassist Sharlee D’Angelo is always a beast and drummer Daniel Erlandsson has always been one of my favourite drum bashers.
Great to hear the 2 new tracks. The previously mentioned Dream Stealer and the newest single Liars and Thieves both sounded amazing live. In between the 2 new tracks they played House of Mirrors and their classic Under Black Flags We March, where the fans were more than ready to wave the proverbial black flag.
When The Eagle Flies Alone hit, I felt that familiar rush of defiance. This song is all about standing alone, facing down whatever comes, and in that moment, I felt every word. I might have looked ridiculous, screaming along, but who cares? This was the place for it. And then, right when we were all catching our breath, they dropped Saturnine, a slower, moodier piece that gave everyone a brief, dark breather. But that calm didn’t last. As the Pages Burn snapped us back into a full-on frenzy, and by this point, the entire room was a mess of headbangers and moshers. It was glorious.
But then came Nemesis, the one I was waiting for. The moment those first riffs hit, I was gone. I swear, I could feel my heart pounding with the beat. This song, with its rallying cry of “We are strong, we are one,” is the ultimate anthem. Seeing Alissa lead the crowd in that chant, with every fan screaming alongside her, was one of those moments you never forget. Nemesis is like pure adrenaline in musical form, and I’ll never get tired of it. It’s empowering, it’s intense, and it’s exactly why I fell in love with Arch Enemy in the first place.
As they closed with Fields of Desolation, it was like coming back down to earth after being in a completely different world. I was exhausted, drenched, and absolutely buzzing with energy. Arch Enemy has this way of making you feel alive, and Alissa—she’s a force all on her own. Her presence, her voice, her connection with the crowd—it’s everything. For me, there’s no one like her.
Arch Enemy in Oslo wasn’t just another show for me, Alissa and the band gave us every ounce of energy they had, and I left that night feeling like I could take on anything.
SETLIST
Deceiver, Deceiver
The World Is Yours
War Eternal
My Apocalypse
Dream Stealer
House of Mirrors
Under Black Flags We March
Liars & Thieves
The Eagle Flies Alone
First Day in Hell
Saturnine
As the Pages Burn
Sunset Over the Empire
No Gods, No Masters
Nemesis
Fields of Desolation
In Flames has long been a pillar in the melodic death metal scene. Formed in Gothenburg, Sweden, they pioneered a sound that mixes crushing heaviness with melodic, often introspective elements. Over the years, their evolution has been met with mixed reactions, but they’ve always remained true to their mission, delivering music that pushes boundaries and connects with fans on a visceral level. Headlining this show alongside Arch Enemy and Soilwork, In Flames took Norway by storm, closing out a night of pure Scandinavian metal power.
The lights dimmed, and the first chords of Cloud Connected filled the room. There’s something magnetic about the way In Flames opens their set—familiar yet still with an edge. The crowd was instantly hooked, and even though I don’t feel quite the same pull towards In Flames as I do for Arch Enemy, I found myself completely caught up in their energy. Anders Fridén’s vocals were sharp, gritty, and as expressive as ever. This was a solid opening that set the tone for the rest of the night.
Take This Life brought back that classic In Flames vibe, a little piece of their early years (2006) that fans cherish. The crowd, packed and pulsing with energy, screamed along, especially during those raw, anthemic choruses. For me, it was one of those songs where you can see why people are so loyal to this band—there’s an honesty and edge here that’s hard to deny. And right after, they dove into Deliver Us, with its soaring melodies and relentless drive.
They followed with Paralyzed and In the Dark, showcasing their newer, more polished sound. I’ll admit, I don’t always connect with the newer material in the same way as the old, but live, these tracks had a fresh intensity that won me over. Anders’s vocals held strong, and the band clearly poured everything into each note.
When they launched into Voices and Coerced Coexistence, the vibe shifted back to something heavier, darker. The energy in the room was electric, and In Flames really let loose. The best part? Björn Strid from Soilwork joined them for Trigger, a collab that felt like a perfect nod to both bands’ histories. They played off each other like old friends, and it was a highlight for sure.
Only for the Weak kicked in, and the crowd went absolutely wild. This song has been an anthem for years, and seeing it live reminded me of the impact it’s had on fans. People were jumping, chanting, completely in sync with the band. It’s moments like these that show why In Flames can still headline a show—they know how to create a sense of unity with their audience.
As the set went on with Meet Your Maker and State of Slow Decay, I started feeling that familiar admiration for In Flames. Even if they don’t hit me quite like Arch Enemy, they still know how to create a massive soundscape that draws you in. Alias and The Mirror’s Truth brought a fresh punch of energy as the band pushed toward the finale, and Anders’s voice kept that intensity right up to the end.
They closed with My Sweet Shadow, and I’ll admit—it was powerful. There’s something haunting about this song, and it felt like the perfect, bittersweet end. Everyone in the room was chanting along, and it was one of those moments where you could feel the connection between the band and their fans. In Flames, with all their evolution and changes, can still bring that kind of energy that’s hard to ignore.
SETLIST
Cloud Connected
Take This Life
Deliver Us
Paralyzed
In the Dark
Voices
Coerced Coexistence
Food for the Gods
Trigger(with Björn Strid)
Only for the Weak
Meet Your Maker
State of Slow Decay
Alias
The Mirror’s Truth
I Am Above
My Sweet Shadow