SERENITY

UNDERWORLD, LONDON

This is Serenity’s third show here in 12 months, yet the Austrian power metallers still give their all. Equally, the fans are a lairy bunch, bellowing along to every fanfare and squealing solo, regaled by tales of honour and courage. Historic themes are nothing new in metal but Serenity put a unique spin on songs about Mary Queen of Scots (Youngest

Of Widows), Francis Drake (Velatum) and Henry VIII (Legacy Of Tudors), given frontman Georg Neuhauser is an actual history teacher by day. Serenity are on the more metallic end of the power/symphonic scale, landing somewhere between Kamelot and Sabaton, but reigning in the bombast. Instead, the spotlight is on Georg’s crisp, commanding vocals and, in front of a stained glass backdrop, he carries the memorable choruses of

Lionheart and Hero with reverberating intensity. After grinding away in crowded European power metal circles for 15 years, it seems Serenity are beginning to get the recognition they deserve.

DANNII LEIVERS