Within Temptation
O2 Apollo, Manchester

EPIC is one of those words that gets used to describe pretty much anything these days, often suffixed by the words "fail" or "win".

Well, Within Temptation are a band that merit both the modern and classical use of the word.

From the moment the curtain drops, it's clear that this is going to be a show of epic proportions - two huge and monstrous heads (of the Hydra? probably) flank the stage, blasting jets of video screen flame across the rear, before the visual is replaced by a typically atmospheric short film-intro-type-thing featuring a dragon flying over a mountain.

Or something like that, anyway. Whatever it is, it looks good.

Throughout the ensuing two hours of Dutch symphonic metal goodness, the crowd is bombarded with images of fairytale castles, post-apocalyptic wastelands, fiery symbols and other such myth and magicka. It's great stuff.

The musical material on show is largely drawn from the band's latest album, Hydra, including perhaps the most unlikely collaboration in the history of music, with west coast rapper Xzibit, but there is plenty of room for classics such as '80s throwback Faster and ultimate crowd pleasers Mother Earth and Ice Queen.

Needless to say, the devil horns were in full effect.

It's easy to look down on this genre of music, with its cheesy fantasy and sci-fi themes and brave attempts to fuse heavy metal and classical music, but the quality of the musicianship cannot be overrated.

The combination of Sharon's unique vocals and ear-bleeding but complex and melodic guitar riffs is beguiling and liberating.

Epic win.