BRP Re:VIEW’s “Amaris” In Concert @ Indoctrinate the Masses 6.22.17

June 27, 2017Tagged Amaris, AR Wolfe, Bay Area, BRP, BRP Re:VIEW's, ENTER ART, Indoctrinate the Masses, music, music reviews, Redwood City, San Francisco, symphonic metal

 

“Effortlessly epic, elegant, and entertaining.” -AR Wolfe, BRP ReVIEW’s

 

Effortlessly epic, elegant, and entertaining. Those where the kind of descriptors that stuck in my mind after seeing Amaris take the stage this past Thursday at Indoctrinate the Masses.

The San Francisco based symphonic metal  kicked off the evening’s festivities via a set jam-packed with covers from the genre’s reigning acts. And let me tell you, it was a real a treat to see them in action, effortlessly weaving through a catalogue of genre classics including Nightwish’s Nemo, Within Temptation’s The Howling, and Evanescence’s Tourniquet to name a few.

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Symphonic metal is notoriously known for being one of the simpler genres when it comes to what is expected of the groups instrumentalists, and necessarily so, as this reserve allows for the orchestration to shine. On the contrary however much is expected in vocal department. In fact it is this genre that brandishes some of the most talented female vocalist’s in metal or any other genre. So when you have a symphonic metal tribute band such as Amaris, landing a vocalist with the prowess and range to fill the shoes of such vocal giants as Tarja Turunen, Sharon den Adel and Amy Lee is must. And let me tell you, there aren’t many folks like that around. So credit must given to Alicia (Amaris’s front-woman) who gave off every impression of navigating these covers with ease. The woman’s impressive range and styling was on full display, but it was the subtler dynamics and instances of control only the trained ear would appreciate that really caught my attention. It also should be said that she made these songs her own— unafraid to inject her own strengths into an interpretation of the occasional phrase while still remaining faithful to the material at large.

 

The musicians of Amaris are solid players. Their stage is a glass of wine versus a shot of Jack, it’s subtle, elegant, and filled with warm smiles exchanged between bandmates. It’s a great way to open a show. And for symphonic metal fans to see a tribute band, and still get the vibe it’s really Nightwish up there when they close their eyes is the definition of a steal.

For all the brooding and brutality that stereotypes heavy music, it tends to attract genuinely good folk. And this applies to Amaris too, as in the short time we interacted I found a friend in multiple members, as well as helping hand where it concerned the snafu with the house system.

They have all the key elements to break-free of the limitations of a cover band and deliver what I’m sure will be a fantastic take on symphonic metal that is all their own. And the group is moving toward this goal, with original music in the works. So it would seem in the not to distant future we’ll have Amaris tribute bands to go see.”

-AR Wolfe, BRP ReVIEW’s (6.22.17)