ROYAL SORROW opened the night with a blend of modern melodic dark metal and subtle post‑metal elements. The band is definitely one of the more exciting newcomers in the scene. Their style thrives on sharp contrasts: fragile, almost delicate vocal lines collide with heavy riffs and rhythmic surges. On stage, the quartet displayed remarkable presence.

CEMETERY SKYLINE delivered a performance in Stuttgart that showcased a band deeply rooted in Scandinavian gothic and dark‑metal traditions. Their sound blends cold synth layers, melancholic melodies and heavy, almost doom‑tinged guitars, while the vocals shift between a clear baritone and harsher outbursts. Vocalist MIKAEL STANNE (who’s birthday was celebrated at the Stuttgart gig) is stepping away from any growling for CEMETERY SKYLINE and focusing on clear vocals. Considering the group members’ origins, this is a kind of nordic dark gothic supergroup merged from the firmly established forces within the European gothic‑metal scene. And all the expectations of the crowd were fullfilled, even though this performance would have been worth a significantly larger audience and a fully sold-out venue. Live, they rely heavily on atmosphere: fog, dimmed lighting and a set constructed with a strong sense of dramaturgy, moving from quiet, introspective passages to eruptive peaks. Not to forget a really unique cover version of ‘I Drove All Night’, that has it’s own character and is highlight in itself. Let’s look foward to hopefully many more live appearances because CEMETERY SKYLINE is a fantastic live band. Their Stuttgart gig was 100% proof.