In the history of hard rock and metal, iconic singer and lead guitar duos have always played a crucial role. Plant & Page, Ozzy & Iommi, Ozzy & Rhodes, DLR and EVH, Rose and Slash, Hetfield & Hammett, St. Hubbins and Tifnel. These partnerships have defined the genre. The magnetism and talent of these frontmen and guitar wizards are essential ingredients in the rock and roll stew, especially when it comes to live performances.
Charismatic artists, whether on vocals or guitar, have the power to captivate fans. During Firewind‘s Stand United in America tour stop in Denver, CO, fans were treated to three bands showcasing dynamic duos. Firewind‘s Herbie Langhans and Gus G, Edge of Paradise‘s Margarita Monet and Dave Bates, and Immortal Guardian‘s Carlos Zema and Gabriel Guardian delivered high-energy, kick-ass sets that left the audience in awe.
Immortal Guardian
Immortal Guardian opened the show with Zema strolling on stage with a skull microphone. Who the hell sings into a skull? I figured it would be just for a song or two, but he was all in and it was epic. His powerful vocals and stage presence quickly won over the crowd, turning a somewhat listless audience into an engaged one.
Gabriel Guardian‘s absolutely ridiculous keyboard/guitar solos cemented the deal. A uniquely talented musician, Guardian absolutely tore it up on guitar and keyboards. Watch this dude’s solo from “Perfect Person” off of 2023’s Unite and Conquer. Imagine watching that live. Amazing!
Most of the crowd seemed, like me, not familiar with Immortal Guardian. I’d heard a couple songs on CGCM and read Tom Cornell’s review of Psychosomatic. But they made a lot of fans with pure metal mayhem. The crowd sang along like long-time fans through most of the show.
For those unfamiliar with Immortal Guardian, their unique sound, dubbed “Super Metal,” is a blend of various metal genres that culminate in a heavy, powerful sound. They describe it as “an exploration of the metal spectrum,” and I call it heavy fucking metal.
The band members hail from up and down the Americas, from the Great White North to Brazil. Gabriel Guardian is from the great state of Texas, and so is the bass player Joshua Lopez, who has an epic growl. Carlos Zema is every bit Brazilian while Justin Peidmonte, a monster behind the kit, is from Montreal.
You can gauge how good an opener was by how quickly the merch lines fill up. Immortal Guardian’s filled up fast. The next band, Edge of Paradise, had a lot to live up to.
Edge of Paradise
I was much more familiar with Edge of Paradise, but what I wasn’t expecting was Judas Priest fronted by a hypnotic woman in a neon bodysuit. Fast and heavy, the twin guitar attack combined with Margarita Monet’s stage presence tore through ten songs, and it wasn’t enough.
While Monet quickly grabbed the spotlight, Dave Bates’ guitar solos demanded attention. He absolutely ripped, and the pair worked great together, showing a familiarity clearly built over the years.
Monet and Bates founded the Los Angeles band in 2011. The current lineup also includes rhythm guitarist David Ruiz, bassist Kenny Lockwood, and drummer Jamie Moreno. The band has great chemistry and impressed the crowd with its unique sound and electrifying performance. Tack on a killer light show, and you couldn’t help but have a blast. Edge of Paradise teed it up for Firewind to hit it out of the park.
Firewind
Unlike the baseball team in the town they were visiting (the Rockies are so, so bad), Firewind took the stage with an energy fueled by Immortal Guardian and Edge of Paradise. The esteemed power metal band showcased the virtuosity of guitarist Gus G and the commanding presence of the seasoned vocalist Herbie Langhans.
Langhans is the epitome of a power metal frontman, with his classic metal voice seamlessly complementing the ferocity of Gus G‘s Firewind. It truly takes an exceptional singer to stand out alongside Gus G, a guitarist of unparalleled skill. I’ve recently seen the talents of remarkable guitarists like Steve Vai and Richie Kotzen, and Gus G undoubtedly ranks among them. He is reminiscent of Eddie Van Halen, not only in his playing but also in his infectious attitude and evident enjoyment on stage. Herbie is the ideal partner in crime, bringing a frontman poise to the band without overshadowing the true star, much like the dynamic between Hagar and Eddie before things took a sour turn.
However, the focus here is on the Firewind show, which proved to be more than worth the time. The band, consisting of Petros Christodoulidis and Belgian drummer Johan Nunez, alongside Gus G, delivered a powerful 13-song set. The repertoire was dominated by tracks from their latest album, Stand United, which rightfully ranks among one of the best albums of 2024.
The show concluded on a high note with a stellar rendition of “Rising Fire” followed by an over-the-top cover of the 1983 Michael Sembello hit “Maniac” from the Flashdance Soundtrack, prompting a room full of seasoned metalheads to dance like maniacs.
Wrap-up
It was truly a delight to witness three dynamic metal bands with exceptional singer-guitarist duos, serving as a reminder that great metal is alive and well on the touring circuit. The Stand United tour is set to continue through May 6, primarily in the Southwest US, and I highly recommend catching this lineup if you’re in the area.
Soon after, Immortal Guardian will embark on their Unite & Conquer tour, concluding in Las Vegas. Edge of Paradise‘s future plans may not be crystal clear, but they are known for frequent shows and festival appearances. As for Firewind, they will continue to support their latest album, Stand United, with upcoming shows in Japan and a summer tour across Europe. If given the chance to experience any of these bands live, seize the opportunity—it’s an experience you won’t regret.
As Immortal Guardian wrapped up their set, Carlos Zema thanked the crowd for keeping the metal scene alive. Attending live shows sustains the vibrancy of the metal community, and it’s up to you to get out there and keep it alive and kicking. The scene thrives on the energy and passion displayed by bands like Immortal Guardian, Edge of Paradise, and Firewind, so check them out on the road this summer.
