Delain and Serenity @ Manchester Academy 3, 29/04/2011

Delain 29/04/2011, a set on Flickr.

Ever since hearing about Delain a couple of years ago, 23inertia has been on the lookout for them playing somewhere relatively local. They played Nottingham and Leeds last year, but never on a day we could go. But finally the waiting paid off and they finally played Manchester on, of all days, the Royal Wedding bank holiday Friday!

Symphonic power metal band Serenity were supporting. I'd never heard them before, although had heard the name, and assumed they were another female fronted band. Turns out not, and it's actually pretty good. Picked up the new album on the way out and, handily, got them all to sign it.

The warm up act were Lost In Thought, a UK prog metal band. The instrumental stuff was really good, and the lead guitarist should get another crack at songwriting. Not really our cup of tea though.

Great night, all in all. Academy 3 proved again to be a good venue, although the spiral stairs and merch stand were still a terrifying crush.