Imperial Age plus Serpentyne
Bannermans, Edinburgh 4th February 2019
Imperial Age are on an adventure that will see them leave Moscow and traverse each corner of Europe on their Legacy of Atlantis Tour. One such corner is the capital city Edinburgh in the venue that every band wants to play - Bannermans. They have added some authentic British ingredients in their support tonight with London symphonic folk/metal stalwarts Serpentyne.
Serpentyne draw from folk and traditional influences and their material is instantly engaging despite some backing track timing issues. Their performance is mesmerising to be frank as the delivery grows in strength through the set. The costumes add to the atmosphere but I would argue that they aren’t needed, such is the character of the music.
Maggiebeth Sand has a huge vocal range and she uses it, often performing solo. Vaughan Grandin is kilted and eventually takes to bagpipes which are always going to be popular within spitting distance of Edinburgh Castle. Lee Willmer provides melodic flourished on guitar while Nigel Middleton and John Haithwaite stoke the flames in the rhythm boiler room.
The band are certainly authentic, using traditional instruments alongside their electric offspring. My initial confusion over the consistency in material was resolved as they played to a strong finish. Visually stimulating and sonically entertaining. I couldn’t look away.
Check them out here -
https://www.facebook.com/Serpentynemusic/
Imperial Age have an air of grandeur as they step on stage. Their choreographed stage show is well rehearsed and the small Bannermans stage doesn’t seem to hinder a performance that must surely be destined for a bigger hall.
Alexander "Aor" Osipov (vocals), Jane “Corn” Odintsova (vocals), Anna Kiara Moiseeva (vocals), Belf (bass), Vredes (guitar) and Max Talion (drums) are dressed in stage-friendly battle gear that is impressive despite Aor’s sling worn for a healing broken arm. The band use backing tracks to supply the orchestrated width that symphonic heavy metal requires and this is well produced and sits well in the mix without distracting from the real focus of the band - the three vocalists.
Belf, Vredes and Talion work relentlessly in their playing with little movement from their stations other than to provide some guest vocals much to everyone’s delight. Aor, Corn and Kiara swap position through the night with each taking a turn leading vocals. The real power comes when all three sing together, creating a beautifully melodic depth that really did make the few hairs I still have stand on end.
Initially, the interaction with the crowd was a little stilted but Aor soon worked his magic and relaxed enough to build rapport. He explained the arm sling and later, why Belf’s costume was different having been purloined from their trailer whilst visiting family on the other side of Scotland. I can only imagine there is a ne’er-do-well walking around Ayr wearing a battle vest with gold trim and belt. If you steal it, you gotta wear it!
This has been a lesson in theatre. With a healthy catalogue to draw from, these six adventurers managed to create a spell over Bannermans and took the audience to a different world. If you can do that with music then you really deserve all the success.
Check them out here -
https://www.facebook.com/imperialageofficial/