Beast in Black Unleash Metal Hell in Zlín. Together with Sonata Arctica and Frozen Crown, They Take Over Sportovní hala Datart
On Monday, 2 November, Sportovní hala Datart in Zlín was hit by an uncompromising synth power metal onslaught! Another stop on the Finnish heavyweights' massive tour took place here Beast in Black, who arrived to showcase material from their upcoming album Fear The Beast. Joining them as special guests for the evening were legendary Sonata Arctica and the hard-hitting Italian outfit Frozen Crown.
Although the weather outside was gloomy and typically November-like, things were already heating up outside the venue as soon as the doors opened. Thanks to the smooth entry process, I had no trouble getting into the photo pit in time for the opening set, ready to capture the atmosphere of all three bands' performances.
The evening kicked off with Frozen Crown. Under turquoise-blue lighting, vocalist Giada Jade Etro immediately won over the crowd with her powerful and commanding voice. The band delivered tracks from their latest album The Legend of the Six Kings, including The One, Reborn and the atmospheric Who Wants to Burn in Heaven. The chemistry between Giada and guitarist Federico Mondelli worked perfectly, giving the performance a distinctive Italian elegance. Their metal rendition of Goo Goo Dolls' hit Iris received a particularly enthusiastic response, with fists raised high above the crowd, before the energetic closing number I Am the Tyrant brought their set to an end.
Next up was Sonata Arctica, who are celebrating an impressive 30 years on the scene this year. From the space in front of the stage, there was a great view of charismatic frontman Tony Kakko, whose theatrical approach and interaction with the audience were captivating. The band delivered a solid cross-section of their extensive catalogue – from iconic tracks from the Ecliptica era, including the fast-paced FullMoon, through the melodic, guitar-driven Paid in Full with Henrik Klingenberg's iconic keyboard solo, to the emotional ballads Tallulah and Shy, whose choruses were sung by the entire venue. The performance reached its climax with the hit Don't Say a Word and the traditional encore interlude Vodka, which brought the atmosphere inside the hall to boiling point.
The stage presentation of the evening's headliners, Beast in Black, was built around straightforward energy and a clean stage setup, dominated above all by an elevated drum riser at the back. The moment the lights went out, the iconic Mortal Kombat theme rang out across the venue, sending the already exhausted crowd into a frenzy, and the band stormed onto the stage.
The Finnish five-piece opened their show with the live debut of their new song Mighty Dragon, followed seamlessly by the title track from their upcoming album Fear The Beast. The guitar trio of Anton Kabanen, Markus Venehsalo and Máté Molnár delivered a precise, synchronised performance, driven relentlessly by the powerful drumming of Atte Palokangas from his elevated position above the band. Vocalist Yannis Papadopoulos, wearing a studded coat and sunglasses, showcased an incredible vocal range.
The evening featured established favourites such as Born Again and the hard-hitting Die by the Blade, as well as another new addition to the live set – the ballad Lost Children. The closing stretch included fan favourites One Night in Tokyo, Blind and Frozen and the final number No Surrender. Beast in Black delivered a fantastic set and confirmed their place among the absolute elite of modern power metal.
Monday evening in Zlín offered a first-class concert production and marked a highly successful start to the entire European tour.
Special thanks go to the event promoter Pragokoncert (Masters of Rock) for the professional organisation and smooth running of the event, to the technical crew for the excellent sound and lighting, and above all to Beast in Black, Sonata Arctica and Frozen Crown for an outstanding musical experience!
Matess