Last Friday was the final show of the US tour for Rhapsody of Fire, Wind Rose, and Seven Kingdoms. Let me just say that I am very happy I got a $20 livenation coupon a few months ago that prompted me to buy this ticket (cut the cost down to like $20). I enjoy all three bands, but not sure I would have gone out to see any single of them hence my initial indecision, but this ended up being a pretty epic concert.
It wasn't sold out when I had left my house, but apparently sold out shortly before the show started (security guard said so while I was on line to get in). Not a huge venue, but still nice to see the show be sold out and seemingly everyone there for the start (same security guard seemed shocked people were still coming in when I got to the door). I got into the venue about 10 minutes before Seven Kingdoms went on at 8pm and secured a seat up top similar to where I was for Nemophila (last time I was at Gramercy Theater).
Seven Kingdoms were awesome. My third time seeing them, all as openers in NYC, and this was definitely their best performance. They sounded really good and the backing tracks weren't as loud as last time (they don't have a touring bassist or keyboardist) so I could really focus on the musicians on stage. The highlight was the song Silent Remedy when they were pranked from members of both Wind Rose and Rhapsody of Fire. Someone started taking down drum kit's cymbals and banging them. Another guy was sweeping the floor. One guy was playing guitar with them. It was just a spectacle and clearly everyone was having fun. This was just the first of the pranks from each band. Before that song, they threw some balls into the crowd which you can see going wild during the song here:
Seven Kingdoms - A Silent Remedy (with Wind Rose) LIVE @ Gramercy Theater New York City NY 6/9/2023
And look, there's me in the back giving a thumbs up with a truly in the other hand:
It seemed pretty clear from the crowd and chatting with randoms, that most people were actually here for the next band, Wind Rose. This was their first ever show in NYC and they seemed pretty excited about it since the singer did his own "New York New York" moment singing some Sinatra after the first song. This was definitely a fun set that sadly was ruined by terrible sound. The bass was just SO high. If I'm complaining about the loudness, it must be bad. It got better after the first song or two, but it never got "good". Sucks considering how good Seven Kingdoms sounded just before them and sadly the bass drowned out some of the vocals. Still, their set was fun. It's certainly not something to take seriously, so you just got to enjoy the cheese of singing about digging holes
but the songs are catchy and the crowd was very receptive. Their final song, their hit, Diggy Diggy Hole had Seven Kingdoms and tour crew come out and throw blow up axes into the crowd and just were digging and dancing on stage with the bad. The singer even handed the mic to Sabrina of Seven Kingdoms so she could sing for a moment as he went off stage to grab a US flag to wear as a cape. The song ended into a techno version of the song with everyone dancing. Probably the highlight of the show was this song.
Wind Rose - Diggy Diggy Hole (with Seven Kingdoms) LIVE @ Gramercy Theater New York City NY 6/9/2023
People definitely left after their set. It was already about 10pm and it seemed the people who came just for Wind Rose had their appetite filled and the rest of the venue got a little more room. Between bands I stepped outside for a smoke and funny enough, I see Alex Staropoli trying to get into the venue and security giving him issues
(FYI, he's the keyboardist of Rhapsody and their only original member). I think I was the only one who noticed this too and he even gave me a laugh as I watched and he realized I could tell what was going on. But I was left wondering, why was he out there so soon before they were about to play?!
I'm not a huge Rhapsody of Fire fan and I understand the Rhapsody fans may not like this version of the band, but as an outsider, I thought this band was really good live. I find their music to be a bit too much for me with all the orchestration and the shredding to really enjoy an album, but watching it live is really fun. I felt the same way when I saw Turilli / Lione Rhapsody last year at ProgPower. The guitar work is just incredible song after song. I thought the current singer was really good live too. He sounded great and had a lot of energy. Seemed he tried really hard to connect with the crowd too which sometimes worked and soemtimes the crowd didn't respond (I have a clip of him trying to give a crowd surfer a high five and the person didn't even notice). Near the end of their set he also came into the crowd and he gave the mic to someone who didn't know what to do
. I think the keyboardist wasn't initally on the tour and if he wasn't there, the show wouldn't of been as good. Seeing the live keys definitely adds to the show, even more so when he's the only original member. Overall, I really enjoyed their set even if I'm not going to buy their latest album. They ended it with one last prank... having basically everyone come out on stage and sing and dance or sweep the floor or raise an emerald colored sword for their final song Emerald Swod. The singer even grabbed a girl from the crowd and knighted her with a sword. It was just EPIC to see this and how much fun everyone was having!
Rhapsody of Fire - Emerald Sword (with Seven Kingdoms and Wind Rose on stage) LIVE @ Sold Out Gramercy Theater New York City NY 6/9/2023
I recorded A LOT a this concert. Just sat in the back and let the camera roll. Here's 90 minutes of power metal:
Rhapsody of Fire Wind Rose Seven Kingdoms LIVE @ Sold Out Gramercy Theater New York City NY 6/9/2023
Topic: Concerts for 2023 (Read 30841 times)
