Last night I got to cross something off of my 'bucket list'. On a warm, breezy night in Orlando, several thousand people did gather in Downtown Disney to attend a concert at the House of Blues. And chief among them was one wolf eager to live out a metal dream. Around half a decade ago, on a random video search, I came across a peculiar band, doing a cover of 'Phantom of the Opera.' The band was Nightwish, and I was immediately hooked. I discovered that I was, in fact, a huge fan of symphonic metal! Numerous album purchases and several years later, I learned that Nightwish was once again touring and would be stopping in my town!

Grabbing my friends , , and and two other non-fuzzies, we headed down into mouse-country. After enjoying a lackluster meal, we started toward the concert hall... by way of the half-mile long line that had amassed! Clearly I had underestimated the draw of this group! Still, while waiting we managed to find quite a few cool people to interact with, which came in handy with the hour-and-a-half we wound up waiting in line. I jokingly remarked that the delay was caused by Nightwish changing lead singers again... and for those who know the band know that that is no idle threat.

Fortunately we managed the long trek and entered the House of Blues as Delain had taken stage. Finding a second floor perch, my party and I began to enjoy the show. I was quite impressed with how Delain had changed and grown since I last heard them, definitely finding a stronger voice in the past years. After them was Sabaton, a group I was not familiar with. Music with more of a war/military edge, but still a lot of fun. Though the moment that stole their set was when they spotted a 7-year old with his parents in the front row and pulled him up on the stage to join them. As the lead singer said, "Metal is for everyone" and "you have the coolest parents" as the crowd cheered the little one's name. I look forward to seeing him fronting his own band in 20 years, as he has now been embraced by the spirit.

And then, after two hours of warm up, Nightwish took the stage. I've been a fan of theirs since back when Tarja was fronting, enjoyed what they did with Anette (as she did bring a new quality to the music), and had enjoyed the newest album they put out with their newest singer Floor. And when she took the stage, the Queen did reign over her subjects! Holy hell, not only is this woman hot, she has a set of pipes! Over the next two hours, they played a blistering set of their latest album and even delving back into older catalog numbers like 'Ghost Love Score' (one of my absolute favorites!). So as the concert drew to a close and I lead my party back to my car, my voice freshly screamed out from the show, and drove us all home. If you get the chance, this band puts on an amazing show, well worth the small price for the tickets.

Because remember, in the end, metal is for everyone.