It had been two years since I last saw Seven Sisters, funnily enough, at the very same venue, where they were supporting Riot City. This time, however, they returned to the Star and Garter as headliners, joined by none other than Intranced, the metal warriors hailing from the U.S. If you haven’t heard of Intranced yet, they’re well worth your attention. The band boasts an impressive lineup featuring Fili Bibiano of Fortress and the immensely talented James-Paul Luna (formerly of Holy Grail and White Wizzard). With seasoned musicians like these, Intranced are no strangers to commanding the stage.

I arrived at the venue around 6:30pm, grabbed a beer, and caught up with some friends while waiting for the place to fill up. I also had a great chat with Graham from Seven Sisters, which was a nice bonus. Although the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal scene doesn’t have quite the same following in the UK as it does in some other countries, it was great to see a solid turnout of fellow metalheads, many rocking killer battle jackets repping trad metal bands from across the globe. As always, the merch table was packed with tempting gear. I couldn’t resist picking up a slick Seven Sisters patch and an absolutely killer Intranced T-shirt. Definitely money well spent.

Some of this killer merch is available on the bands Bandcamp pages so go check it out!

Seven Sisters: https://sevensistersheavymetal.bandcamp.com/merch

Intranced: https://intranced.bandcamp.com/merch

Intranced

First up for the night was Intranced all the way from the USA! I’d actually seen James-Paul Luna (vocalist) perform years ago with Holy Grail somewhere in central England. One memory that stuck with me was the guitarists climbing up on the speakers for an epic duel. So, needless to say, I was genuinely excited to finally catch Intranced live, having only heard their music online up untill this point.As a fan of Fili Bibiano’s guitar work in Fortress and familiar with Luna’s impressive musical pedigree, I had a pretty good idea of the firepower they’d bring to the stage and they didn’t disappoint.

In true metal fashion, Luna came out on stage in a silver cape and heels, full leather trousers and shirt and straight away gave the audience an impression that we were in for something special. I love how Luna used his cape swishing it around adding some theatrical element to openers like “Reres De Las TiniBlas” and “Switchblade.” They blasted through these electrifying songs with Luna and bassist Nico predominately commanding the stage.

The first part of the set was a high-octane barrage of passion and intensity, with every track delivered at full throttle. The crowd was slammed with the ferocious energy of “Fantasy,” followed by the crushing weight of the title track from their latest release, “Muerte Y Metal,” performed in all its unrelenting glory. Then came “Passionate Pretender” which is a swaggering, emotionally charged standout that hit just as hard. This band doesn’t just perform, they ignite the stage. You could feel the heart, grit, and fire pouring from every member, every note.

Interestingly enough I learnt that in past sets they had played the White Wizzard classic High Speed Gto so I was hopeful that they would play it at this show. I learned from bassist Nico that they switch up covers between High Speed Gto, a Yngwie Malmsteem song and Scorpions cover. And tonight when Luna told the audience he had previously played for Holy Grail then mentioned those words White Wizzard I knew I was getting my wish! A cheeky wink from Nico then they dropped into that classic effortlessly. Luna sounded on fire and considering the song came out all the way back in 2009 his vocals felt like nothing had changed. And after delivering a killer performance of this song it added an extra spark to the audiences energy.

Soon enough we were given the infectious and warm sounding “Dream Lover” which slowed things down just a little before the thunderous “La Fuerza Negra” rumbled our ear drums.I have to say Ben is a total beast on drums and really drove everything forward with his power and stick skills. By this point the audience in front of the stage was heavily engaged fist pumping, head banging and sweating it out. I always love it when bands build connections with the audience and Intranced just seem to know how to do that.

“Lady Lightning” lit up the stage with a powerful performance, delivering intensity without losing a shred of quality. “Rogue Warrior,” staying true to its rebellious spirit, had the crowd fully engaged sparking spontaneous sing-alongs and shared moments of unity. But it was “El Gran Deseo” that brought a particularly wild energy to the night. At one point, Luna leapt off the stage and ran straight into the crowd like a man on a mission, sending a jolt of excitement through the venue. A true showman, he didn’t just rely on his mesmerising vocals; his dynamic presence and fearless interaction with the audience took things to another level. At the front, fans threw arms over each other’s shoulders, headbanging in unison, completely swept up in the moment.

“Upside Down” was an absolute belter, once again showcasing the immense heart and energy the band pours into every performance. Fili, though often the most reserved presence on stage, lets his guitar do all the talking and it speaks loudly. His solos were nothing short of spellbinding; I couldn’t take my eyes off the fluid sweeps and blistering licks he unleashed throughout the set. This track was no exception. At key moments, Fili stepped into the spotlight, proving exactly what he’s made of—at one point even playing with his teeth and throwing a triumphant hand into the air. Quiet offstage maybe, but on that fretboard? He’s an absolute force of nature.

The band closed their set with their self-titled track Intranced and what a way to go out. The entire performance had been packed with passion and raw energy, but they poured every last drop into this final song. I loved seeing Fili step up to the front, throwing down some serious moves alongside Nico, who was clearly feeding off the crowd’s energy. If you’re familiar with Fili’s guitar skills, you know he practically sets the stage ablaze with his playing and tonight was no exception. The front row was alive with true heavy metal lovers, fists pumping, heads banging in unison. Their raw energy fed into the performance, amplifying the intensity of that final song and making the atmosphere crackle with electricity.

Seven Sisters

For many, Seven Sisters were the main event and having seen them live before, I was genuinely excited to experience their performance again. What sets their take on heavy metal apart is both the sound and the feel. That uniqueness could stem from Kyle’s distinctive vocals or the band’s ability to craft music that’s both intelligent and tightly structured. I’ve listened to countless bands over the years, but Seven Sisters’ music stands out like a beautifully woven tapestry, full of intricate and compelling ideas that carry you on an unforgettable journey. So when they took the stage and announced they’d be playing Shadow of a Fallen Star Pt. 2 in full, I was instantly intrigued to hear how the album would translate live and it didn’t disappoint.

And so it began with “Astral Prophecies” from Shadow of a Fallen Star Pt. 2, an eight minute marvel that made for a powerful opener. What I love most about this track is its sheer speed, constant energy, and the rich melodic threads woven through its core. One of the standout elements, as always, is Kyle’s vocals, soaring and resonant, echoing above the crowd and instantly commanding attention. When all the elements come together, the sound is massive and majestic, and it’s that very quality that’s made Seven Sisters grow on me more and more over the past year. Their music doesn’t just hit, it elevates.

Next up was “Solar Winds,” a magnificent mid-tempo track that stomped forward with rich harmonies and layers of sparkling ideas. Watching the band perform, it was clear they genuinely love what they do. The band head banged to the heavy thumps while the riffs carried the song forward. While the exceptionally talented Sammy stayed focused behind the kit, anchoring the band with precision, the rest of the members lit up the stage singing along, connecting with the crowd, and playing with infectious energy.

“Heart of the Sun” is easily one of my favourite tracks on the album. There’s something about the soaring, slightly Maiden-esque guitar riffs that gives it a powerful, uplifting feel. You can almost close your eyes and imagine the warmth of the sun beating down on your face. Like the songs that came before it, the performance was nothing short of excellent feeling tight, passionate and fully charged. It was clear just how much both the band and the audience were enjoying the moment. Every riff, beat, bass line and melody carried a real sense of integrity and emotion.

“Andromeda Descending” was the moment many in the crowd had been waiting for. One guy at the front had been shouting for it since the start of the set, only to be met with a good-natured, “We’re getting there!” After all, it’s a 20-minute epic from their latest release, “Shadow of a Fallen Star Pt. 2.” The band had joked endlessly about the song, how crazy it was to try playing it live, and how likely they were to mess it up.

But when they launched into it, they were laser-focused. I watched, genuinely impressed, as they navigated the complex track with skill and cohesion. Long songs often risk feeling bloated or disjointed, but not this one. Having reviewed the album and listened to the track multiple times, I can confidently say it’s masterfully written, every section flowing effortlessly into the next. Seeing it brought to life on stage was a true pleasure.

“The Cauldron & the Cross” came in gently and majestically, and even by this point, Luna from Intranced had joined the crowd at the front, letting off even more energy. Arms wrapped around one another, the crowd jigged about, pumping fists in the air as the song picked up and the guitar chords rip-roared. This is what I love about heavy metal: the sense of unity and the power it has to stir people’s passions and to swing beers around too. Even bassist Gareth jumped off the stage to play in the crowd, with everyone encircling him. This is another one of those songs filled with melodies and intricate structures, and from the moment it starts to the moment it finishes, you’re fully engaged with everything it has to offer.

Seven Sisters brought the night to an unforgettable close with their powerful and irresistibly catchy track, “The Artifice“. The energy in the room never dipped as fans were fully locked in, fists in the air, singing every word. The chemistry between the band members was undeniable, especially as Kyle and Graeme stood back-to-back, nailing flawless harmonies and proving just how tight their musical bond is. Seeing them live for the second time only confirmed what I already suspected: Seven Sisters never disappoint. Playing their latest album from start to finish was a perfect move; it gave the set a strong narrative flow and allowed the audience to truly appreciate the depth and intent behind each track.

Conclusion