Dutch symphonic metal juggernauts WITHIN TEMPTATION unleashed their music upon Helsinki on October 11th, 2024, transforming Helsingin Jäähalli into—quite literally—a cathedral of metal. The night marked a key stop on their Bleed Out European tour, supporting the release of their new album, “Bleed Out.” They were joined by the explosive German metalcore act ANNISOKAY, while the Ukrainian metalcore outfit BLIND8 had to bow out of the lineup due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Despite the change, the evening still promised an unforgettable experience.
We had previously caught a glimpse of ANNISOKAY at Tuska Festival, and although we couldn’t stay for their full set, their stage presence and energy left a strong impression. They brought the same intensity to their performance this time around, and even though we only managed to catch three songs, it was enough to see that ANNISOKAY stands out from the crowd. Given their history of collaborations with WITHIN TEMPTATION and their mutual admiration, it was no surprise to see them touring together. The real twist (and treat) came when Sharon den Adel, WITHIN TEMPTATION‘s vocalist, made an unexpected appearance during “Like a Parasite.” Hopefully, next time we’ll get to experience a full set from them!
Being from Belgium, where WITHIN TEMPTATION has been huge ever since the release of their hit “Ice Queen,” I’ve seen many iterations of the band’s productions: from relatively small club tours to impressive headlining shows at some of our biggest festivals. However, their most impressive production for me was perhaps during their headlining show at Graspop Metal Meeting some years ago. Thus, expectations were incredibly high for this show, and as always, the band delivered. Their staging turned Helsinki’s Ice Hall into a Gothic cathedral, complete with arches. The show began with an emotional intro track—likely a Ukrainian song—set against a grim video backdrop depicting war graves. As the stage lit up in red, “Bleed Out” appeared on the screen, and the band emerged to the notes of “We Go to War.” Sharon den Adel wore an impressive crown that covered her entire face. While red lights aren’t ideal for photography, they felt more purposeful this time, even conceptual, adding to the atmosphere.
A loud cheer erupted as the band launched into the title track of their latest album, “Bleed Out.” After the first two songs, it was clear that the setlist was chosen to reflect the band’s activism and the themes addressed in their recent work. Many of the songs dealt with the war in Ukraine and other political issues, supporting their ongoing advocacy. The set felt heavy, drawing mostly from “Bleed Out,” but older fan-favorites like “Stand My Ground” still made the cut.
The evening featured some special guests. While I was personally surprised that ANNISOKAY‘s singer Rudi Schwarzer didn’t make a return appearance since I would have loved to hear “Shed My Skin”—although I heard that later on the band did make a surprise appearance at On the Rocks in Helsinki during ANY GIVEN DAY‘s show—the first special guest of the night was Alex Yarmak, who joined the band for their collaborative song, “A Fool’s Parade.” Although I hadn’t heard of the Ukrainian musician before, his live performance was impressive. After the song, a huge QR code appeared on the screen—though we couldn’t scan it because we had to head into the photo pit shortly after. Alex Yarmak gave a brief speech, mentioning a “shared” history with Finland and making a comment about winning the Winter War. While I appreciated the sentiment, I felt this segment could have perhaps been more subtle—perhaps by donating a portion of merchandise sales to charity or simply displaying the QR code for donations without a speech or having it at the merch booth, but then again, maybe it wouldn’t have had an impact at all. I’d be curious to hear though how many funds they raised.
The biggest highlight of the night for the audience came when Finland’s own Tarja Turunen took the stage. She began with “The Promise”—a deep cut from “Mother Earth” that I hadn’t heard live in recent years. The song’s emotional lyrics and haunting melody made it an ideal choice for a duet. From up close, Tarja looked visibly moved by the warm welcome. Given that her solo act hasn’t played Helsingin Jäähalli, and apart from maybe appearing with Raskasta Joulua, she hasn’t performed there much since her departure from NIGHTWISH. The connection between Sharon and Tarja was evident; after each song, they would embrace, celebrating their shared moment on stage. The second song they performed together was Tarja‘s cover, “I Feel Immortal,” which fit seamlessly into the WITHIN TEMPTATION set. It was a nice touch that Tarja even managed to sneak in some of her own merchandise, which felt like a gesture of mutual appreciation.
After Tarja‘s guest appearance, photographers had to store their equipment in the cloakroom if they wanted to watch the rest of the show. Unfortunately, this meant I missed “Supernova” and “Faster.” However, I made it back just in time for the 4-song encore. The encore is usually a highlight, featuring nostalgic tracks like “Solemn Hour” and the always moving “All I Need.” Tarja Turunen returned for the encore performance of their hit “Paradise (What About Us?),” which was an entirely different experience hearing it live with Tarja rather than a backing track. The show ended with another fan-favorite, “Mother Earth.” It was a bit of a surprise that “Ice Queen” was omitted from the set, even though the acoustic version had become a staple in recent shows. Still, the show was a triumph.
Overall, the concert was a true spectacle. The band’s production was stunning, and they not only entertained but also brought attention to important issues like the war in Ukraine. With festivals yet to announce their lineups, we wouldn’t be surprised if WITHIN TEMPTATION appears as a headliner at several of them!
Text & photos by Laureline Tilkin
Setlist
- We Go to War
- Bleed Out
- Ritual
- Don’t Pray for Me
- Wireless
- The Reckoning
- Shot in the Dark
- Stand My Ground
- A Fool’s Parade (with Alex Yarmak)
- The Promise (with Tarja)
- I Feel Immortal (Tarja cover) (with Tarja)
- Supernova
- Faster
- Our Solemn Hour (Encore)
- All I Need (Encore)
- Paradise (What About Us?) (with Tarja) (Encore)
- Mother Earth (Encore)
