Gallery, ReviewDitch This MagazineMarch 07, 2025gallery, live, melbourne, Odin Imaging, Nathan Goldsworthy, odin imaging, God Is An Astronaut, Solkyri, Treebeard, Max Watts

Within Temptation + Suldusk @ Max Watts 06-03-25

Gallery, ReviewDitch This MagazineMarch 07, 2025gallery, live, melbourne, Odin Imaging, Nathan Goldsworthy, odin imaging, God Is An Astronaut, Solkyri, Treebeard, Max Watts

photos: Nathan Goldsworthy @odin.imaging

Melbourne’s Max Watt’s House of Music was packed to the rafters, a sold-out sanctuary for those seeking an evening of dark enchantment. As part of the Knotfest Australia sideshows, the night promised a journey through shadowed soundscapes, headlined by symphonic metal titans Within Temptation, with local dark folk maestros Suldusk setting the stage.

Suldusk, once the solitary endeavor of Emily Highfield, has evolved into a formidable five-piece ensemble. Their performance was a haunting tapestry, weaving acoustic dark folk with threads of black metal and post-rock. The audience, initially murmuring with anticipation, soon found themselves ensnared by the band's ethereal melodies and atmospheric depth. Highfield's vocals floated like a wraith over the intricate instrumentation, casting a spell that left the crowd in rapt silence, a testament to their growing prowess in the metal underworld.

By the time their final notes faded into the ether, the venue wasn’t just warmed up—it was primed, restless, and ready for war.

As the lights dimmed once more, a palpable electricity surged through the venue. Within Temptation doesn’t do quiet. They crash into existence, and that’s exactly what they did with “We Go to War”—a battle cry that detonated the room, sending shockwaves through the crowd.

The setlist was a masterclass in balance, blending the new with the nostalgic. “Bleed Out” and “Wireless” showcased the band’s modern firepower, while classics like “Stand My Ground” and “What Have You Done” sent fans into a frenzy, singing loud enough to shake the foundations. Sharon den Adel was a force of nature, her voice soaring effortlessly, a siren’s call cutting through the storm of guitars and drums.

Then, a shift. “Angels” slowed things down just enough to remind us that Within Temptation doesn’t just rage—they haunt. The entire room swayed in eerie unity, held in the palm of Sharon’s hand. “Paradise” and “Our Solemn Hour” built the tension back up, preparing us for the final wave.

And what a wave it was. “All I Need” was the calm before the storm, only to be obliterated by “Ice Queen” and “Mother Earth.” The crowd—voices raw, bodies exhausted—gave every last ounce of energy they had left, knowing this was the last moment, the last surge of power before the lights faded for good.

Within Temptation didn’t just play a concert. They waged war, told stories, and left the audience wrecked in the best possible way. For those fortunate enough to have secured a ticket, it was a night where darkness and light danced in harmonious rebellion, a testament to the enduring power of live music. Melbourne bore witness to something unforgettable—and for those still humming the melodies on the way home, the spell wasn’t broken yet.