Stream Of Passion, Leaves Eyes
London Camden Underworld
21st October, 2011

A Dutch sextet fronted by Mexican Marcela Bovio, Stream Of Passion zipped through a cracking 10-song set over 50 minutes, their hi-octane symphonic metal leading to an early clapalong on the apt Passion, while Collide was one of several new Darker Days highlights, Bovio’s fulsome operatic vocals to the fore. She took up violin on a couple of numbers, including This Endless Night, while a cover of Radiohead’s Street Spirit led to the catchy Out In The Real World and headbanging Haunted, with Spanish vocal. The Teutonic/Norse Leaves Eyes threw in Norwegian vocals on Krakevisa, while Liv Kristina powered through 13 songs and 80 impressive minutes of operatic metal, kicking off with the Celtic-tinged Spirits Masquerade. Oceans Way saw the male/ female vocal double-whammy deployed, while My Destiny stomped headlong into Etain and the monumental Farewell Proud Men. Acoustic guitar and piano appeared, Take The Devil In Me getting the crowd moving, and a rousing Elegy preceded a cover of Mike Oldfield’s To France and closing battery of Froya’s Theme.