Amaranthe – Arcane Dimensions Tour @ COS Torwar, Warsaw (17.03.2026)

Amaranthe
Hybrid metal and maximum impact

After the atmospheric opening set by Charlotte Wessels, the evening at COS Torwar effortlessly shifts into a higher gear. As part of the Arcane Dimensions Tour, Amaranthe take the second slot on the bill — a position that suits them perfectly.

After a half-hour changeover, Amaranthe appear with a strikingly different stage setup. Where Wessels opted for a relatively minimalistic setting, Amaranthe bring a futuristic-looking stage design: a two-tier construction with industrial shapes, LED lines, and a central sculptural element that serves as a visual anchor.

What stands out is how the band manages to create such a powerful overall image with relatively few scenographic elements. The stage is dominated by a monumental android figure that appears to be taken directly from the cover artwork of The Catalyst. Its stylized, half-human, half-mechanical form — with cable-like structures extending from the head like neural connections — seamlessly reflects the futuristic aesthetic that has long been part of the band’s visual identity.

This central figure functions not only as a visual focal point, but also as a conceptual anchor: the stage feels like an extension of the album itself, as if the music is literally unfolding within this artificial entity. Around the drum kit, sharp triangular panels with integrated LED lighting create a clean visual frame. Their design clearly echoes the geometric language of Amaranthe’s branding, as seen in their merchandise and logo work. The result is a strong visual consistency between artwork, branding, and live performance.

Subtle smoke cannons are also integrated into the stage, regularly firing powerful bursts into the venue. Combined with the lighting, they reinforce the industrial and mechanical character of the set and add extra dynamics during the more energetic passages.

The lighting further enhances this atmosphere. Blue and purple LED accents dominate the stage, interspersed with warm orange tones and sharp white beams. At times, the musicians are almost entirely silhouetted against a brightly lit background. The result feels both futuristic and slightly chaotic — an aesthetic that perfectly matches the band’s music.

Amaranthe open with Fearless, immediately followed by Viral, two tracks that set the tone for a set that leaves little room to breathe. This choice perfectly reflects their “don’t bore us, get to the chorus” approach: immediate impact, no detours. The blend of modern metal, EDM-like beats, and pop choruses proves surprisingly effective live. The crowd quickly starts jumping and clapping along.

With Digital World, Damnation Flame, and Maximize, that momentum is effortlessly maintained: tight, rhythmic, and fully focused on immediate impact.

Amaranthe’s trademark, of course, remains their three vocalists. Elize Ryd, Nils Molin, and Mikael Sehlin constantly shift roles: sometimes performing individually, sometimes in duets, and often combining in a threefold vocal assault where pop melodies, power metal, and metalcore growls collide. This combination — sometimes described as a fusion of ABBA-like melodies and metalcore energy — creates a highly distinctive and instantly recognizable live sound.

Among the trio, Nils Molin makes the strongest impression. His powerful voice and commanding stage presence often give him the upper hand. 

Strong and PvP fit perfectly within that dynamic: songs that function live primarily through direct choruses and rhythmic drive rather than nuance. Notably, PvP ties thematically into the world of e-sports — “player versus player” — with the interaction between the three vocalists almost acting as a musical translation of that confrontation. Originally written as an anthem for a Swedish e-sports team, the track builds on constant tension and release, mirroring the dynamics of competitive gameplay. Live, this translates into a particularly energetic crowd response, where rhythmic breaks and driving choruses act as a collective adrenaline shot.

The setlist leans heavily on Manifest (2020), with relatively little material from the more recent The Catalyst (2024). This aligns with the broader trend on this tour, where Manifest clearly forms the backbone of the live set.

Midway through the show, Crystalline provides a brief moment of respite. During this section, guitarist Olof Mörck steps behind a keyboard. What follows is a surprising and clearly Poland-focused intro, as he first plays fragments of Chopin — a gesture that is visibly appreciated by the audience. Only then does he accompany Elize Ryd in a stripped-down piano version of the song, before the full band returns and builds it back up to its familiar intensity.

The contrast could hardly be greater when Boom!1 explodes immediately afterward — a bizarre yet irresistible mix of metalcore, EDM, and almost rap-like passages. The track clearly divides opinion, but live it proves to be one of the most energetic moments of the set.

With Re-Vision and The Catalyst, the band once again leans heavily into electronic layers and modern production aesthetics, pushing even further into the space between metal and pop.

Although Amaranthe relies heavily on programmed electronic layers and backing tracks, the performance itself remains impressive. The band members are constantly moving across the stage, and bassist Johan Andreassen emerges as an unexpectedly energetic focal point. He refuses to stick to the traditional, static role of a bassist, constantly headbanging and moving across the stage while actively driving crowd interaction.

The biggest reactions ultimately come from the better-known classics. The Nexus, Call Out My Name, Archangel, and Drop Dead Cynical ensure that even more sceptical listeners get swept up in the infectious choruses. “Call Out My Name” serves as the closing track of the regular set, after which the band returns for an encore that once again focuses on maximum audience engagement.

During the encore, that effect is amplified even further: after Archangel and Drop Dead Cynical, the band closes with That Song, an almost ironic, hyper-catchy finale that fully embraces Amaranthe’s pop DNA, driven by recognizable rhythmic references to We Will Rock You by Queen, pulling the audience almost instinctively into the iconic stomp-clap pattern.

At moments like these, Amaranthe functions almost like a metal version of a pop show: simple, catchy, and entirely focused on energy and crowd interaction.

This also makes the band something of a love-it-or-hate-it experience. Their music constantly flirts with kitsch and commercial pop structures, yet live it is difficult to remain completely immune to the infectious hooks. Even those who start off sceptical seem to get gradually pulled into the collective energy of the performance.

For purists, Amaranthe remains a controversial band. The combination of electronic backing tracks, pop melodies, and metalcore elements can at times feel more synthetic than organic. Some songs also follow very similar structural and dynamic patterns, meaning the set rarely strays far from its established formula of explosive choruses and electronic drops.

At the same time, the typical co-headline dynamic also plays a role: in a venue of this scale, and with Epica closing the night, it is difficult to fully compete in terms of sheer scope and visual impact, despite the band’s undeniable energy and commitment.

Yet at the same time, it must be said: as live entertainment, it works.

Where Charlotte Wessels opened the evening with atmosphere and melody, Amaranthe has now set the entire venue in motion.

The stage is  now for Epica.

Special thanks to Ela Williamson for her valuable support, sharp observations, and assistance throughout the evening.