13 November 2018. In the same place as Crossfaith blew the roof off one month before this show, it is now their fellow countrymen LOVESBITES’ turn to shake up the venue. LOVEBITES are making their debut in the Netherlands!
It was a cold night in Haarlem and a small group of people is standing outside waiting anxiously until they can get in. Not too long after the doors open it’s already time for the warm-up act to get on stage, the Dutch band Phantom Elite. Although the music of Phantom Elite is very different from that of LOVEBITES, they definitely managed to put on a show and warm up the crowd, even though no one seemed to know this band. With their 30 minutes lasting set, they started off strong right off the bat with their first song, they clearly enjoyed what they were doing.
A small half an hour after the warm-up act had rounded off their set the lights were dimmed and the intro started to play. One by one the ladies entered the stage and start off strong with the number The Crusade, from their latest EP Battle Against Damnation, followed by Don’t bite the dust. With this the mood has been set, it shows that the ladies are enveloped in their music and are not holding back. Within a few counts, they got the audience to warm up, something a band likes to see.
After a few more songs it’s time to play their newest number for the first time ever, named Rising. A few loyal fans already knew the song by heart, but the rest of the audience also manages to get themselves riled up by the song. The song was received well, by a big applause. After this, the song Above the black sea follows.
The end of the night is near, and LOVEBITES lets themselves be heard one more time with Bravehearted, from their debut album Awakening from Abyss. Even though the room was only about halfway full, there are definitely good things in store for this great band. For many, and I think for LOVEBITES as well, this is a night to remember.
Band setup:
Zangeres: Asami
Gitarist 1: Midori
Gitarist 2: Miyako
Bass Gitarist: Miho
Drummer: Haruna
Setlist:
01. The Awakening (Intro)
02. The Crusade
03. Don’t bite the dust
04. Break the wall
05. Scream for me
06. Shadowmaker
07. Rising
08. Above the black sea
09. The hammer of wrath
10. Liar
11. Under the red sky
12. Edge of the world
13. Bravehearted
