Arch Enemy Bring Blood And Fire To The O2 Apollo, On A Halloween Night
- Desh Kapur
- 17 hours ago
- 3 min read
Manchester, 31st October 2025
WORDS / IMAGES MICHAEL BOND
Swedish melodic-death metal legends Arch Enemy storm the O2 Apollo with Amorphis in support, delivering a relentless, career-spanning set that leaves Manchester in ruins, and rapture. Proving they still remain a dominant force.
The O2 Apollo hums with tension on this Halloween night with an energy slowly filling the room. As black-clad fans pack the hall, faces lit by the flicker of stage lighting and anticipation. Finland’s Amorphis open the night, delivering a set that threads melancholic melody and aggression. Their mix of progressive metal and doom-tinged heaviness warms the crowd thoroughly. From the first deep chords to the last shimmering guitar solo, they build a solid foundation of energy and expectant atmosphere. Under blue and red lighting, the audience slowly finds its feet, heads nodding, and body-language shifting to restless readiness. By the time their set concludes, the pit stands primed, the air charged, and the mood perfect for the main event.
As the lights dip, the crowd’s murmur rises into a roar and then becomes a battle-cry, as the floor to roof banner drops from the front of the stage, revealing Arch Enemy. Then with a blast of light, the opening notes of “Deceiver, Deceiver” tear through the venue’, and it’s game on as Alissa, complete with skeleton makeup dominates the stage. Her growls carving through the guitars as Michael Amott and Joey Concepcion lock into twin-lead mode, as their riffs start to scream. Sharlee D’Angelo & Daniel Erlandsson complete the opening assault on bass and drums.
By the time “Ravenous” hits, the pit is up and jumping as the crowd surge. Then “Dream Stealer” offers a brief shift, still aggressive, but with a melodic hook that cuts through. Alissa glides into clean vocal lines and the crowd responds, fists in the air and singing back. The opening trio sets the pace high, and this is held as the band launch into “Blood Dynasty”, the title track from their latest release. The riffs bite, the chorus rings out like a war-cry, and the crowd roars in return, proving new is equally as relevant as old.
With “War Eternal”, the energy surges further. The dual guitars shine while Alissa is ferocious, and the pit grows fearless. On “My Apocalypse”, the tempo accelerates, the groove tightens, and you feel the full force of the band. After the barrage of speed and riffs, “Illuminate the Path” offers a moment breath, while still remaining heavy, but more melodic. It allows the crowd a moment of connection. As “Liars & Thieves” swings into gear, Alissa prowls the stage, pointing into the crowd and drawing them in. With “The Eagle Flies Alone”, the band hit what feels like an emotional summit.
“First Day in Hell” brings groove and thunder to the set, as the pit bounces and then “Sunset Over the Empire” unfolds like an epic and rolls into “No Gods, No Masters”. When “Avalanche” hits, the room explodes. Bodies surge, fists fly and voices scream, as the main set comes to a close. Leaving the crowd standing in the charged aftermath and demanding more.
The break is short and “Snow Bound” opens the encore with a moody start, but as the riff pounces, the audience is drawn back in. Then the moment everyone has been waiting for. “Nemesis” hits like a hurricane, with every word sung back and every riff matched by the crowd’s roar. The night is finally brought to a close with “Fields of Desolation”. A stand out track from the bands 1996 debut album Black Earth, which showcases an early rawness and aggression. Rounding off the night with more blistering riffs, intense drumming, and melodic solos, to send everyone on their way for a night of trick or treating.
Tonight’s show proves why Arch Enemy remain at the forefront of their genre. With Alissa White-Gluz continuing to prove herself as one of metal’s greatest front-persons, fierce, versatile and utterly in control. With the rest of the band delivering technical flair and punch. Arch Enemy are a must-see band for any metal fan. Delivering brutality and melody with equal force. They show that melodic death metal is still capable of uniting a crowd and on Halloween, they don’t just headline, they commanded a ritual.
Setlist
Deceiver, Deceiver
Ravenous
Dream Stealer
Blood Dynasty
War Eternal
My Apocalypse
Illuminate the Path
Liars & Thieves
The Eagle Flies Alone
First Day in Hell
Sunset Over the Empire
No Gods, No Masters
Avalanche
Encore:
Snow Bound
Nemesis
Fields of Desolation
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