Indeed while waiting outside we heard more than a few regulars saying how shocked they were to see such a huge queue.  One chap told us in the five years he's been coming to this particular venue he'd never seen a turnout anywhere near as huge as this for a concert.  People had been standing in the queue for hours before the doors were due to open, not because they needed to get a ticket on the door, no they'd stood that long because they wanted to get as close to the front and the band they loved so dearly so badly that nothing and no one was going to stop them.  If that meant standing around for hours outside the venue before the gig then so be it!

After waiting in the queue for nearly forty minutes we eventually got inside the venue.  My good wife had acquired her photo pass was off down to the photo pit like a woman on a mission.  This gave me just enough time to grad a pint and make my way to my seat to catch the last few numbers from Paradise Lost.  Paradise Lost are a band that I had been looking forward to seeing again after their recent reformation.  Such a pity that their set was a good way through before the majority of the crowd even got across the front door. 

The few tracks I did manage to catch left me somewhat dismayed by the poor sound quality. The sound seemed very weak and was sometimes lost in the vastness of the venue.  For some bizarre reason it didn’t travel beyond the downstairs of the venue and was lost on those of us higher up.  It certainly seemed that not all the sound equipment was used for the support, and this is a pity as Paradise Lost have a big sound, and need plenty of oomph for you to really appreciate their songs.

Luckily enough the sound was not a problem for the main event Nightwish, as they opened up with 'Dark Chest of Wonders' off the bands highly successful 'Once' album.  The roof nearly came off the place as the crowd simply erupted in a deafening roar of both approval and excitement.  All the male members of the audience had their eyes firmly fixed on Tarja as she hit the stage looking stunning in a yellow and black ensemble. This is the third time I have seen the band perform live in the UK and they just go from strength the strength every time I see them.  The first time I saw them play was last year at Bradford Rios, and due to the small size of the stage the band were a little restricted in their performance.  However, on the bigger stage at the Apollo the band could really stretch their wings and give us the type of show that they regularly perform in Europe.  A show complete with pyro and a stunning light effects that had to be seen to be truly appreciated.

The intensity and euphoria of the crowd continued as the band went into 'Planet Hell' also off 'Once'.  Then it was into the bands vast back catalogue with the tracks 'She is my Sin' and 'The Kingslayer' off the one of my own favourite albums 'Wishmaster'.

Then Andrew Lloyd Webber was given the Nightwish treatment as Tarja and Marco duelled vocals on the magnificent 'Phantom of the Opera'.  The crowd once again going absolutely wild at the beginning and close of the song.  'The Siren' and 'Sleeping Sun' also went down a storm with guitarist Emppu and Marco covering as much of the stage as the possibly could.

As Marco took over vocal duties on the next track, Tarja left the stage for another wardrobe change.  Marco announced that here on stage tonight we were looking at four prime examples of Finnish manhood.  Now it was time for the females in the audience to show their appreciation and screams of delight and whooping could be heard the length and breadth of the auditorium.

When Tarja returned it was back to business with the majestic 'Bless the Child', closely followed by the outstanding 'Wishmaster' and 'Slaying the Dreamer'.  Throughout 'Wishmaster' the crowd were thrown into a frenzy of excitement by the spectacular light show, and plumes of fire which exploded high up into the air every few seconds.  To the left of the stage we saw Tuomas thrashing about during behind his keyboards during the guitar solo.  His hair wringing wet he looked like a man possessed by the spirit of the very music he created.   You could almost hear the adrenalin coursing through his veins. 

Then it was time for Tarja to give a one of the most charismatic vocal performances, as she stood alone on stage and sang 'Kuolema Tekee Taitejtijan'.  A song so delicate and beautiful which truly showcases the diversity of the song writing that runs strong throughout the many albums by this band. Next it was time for Tuomas to shine on the bands most successful single to date 'Nemo'.  A song that once again received the full respect of the crowd.  As the rest of the band left the stage and Marco was stood alone on stage absorbing the crowds appreciation he said  '' I know two words that will make you louder still ''  the crowd cheered, then he said with a wickedly cheeky grin "Good Night"!

The band returned to the stage once again for the encore.  Tarja took to the stage after a quick change of clothes looking a absolute vision in white.  They then let loose into the grandiose  'Ghost Love Score'.  As the song came to a close, two of the biggest confetti canons I have ever seen exploded either side of the stage and sent out a wave of pink and white confetti which well and truly covered the entire crowd, both upstairs and downstairs.

Then the final track of the evening was the wondrous show stopper 'Wish I had an Angel'.  Which hailed a first for me as afterwards the band came to front of the stage to take a bow to the audience, the entire venue, I truly mean every last man, woman and child, stood up and gave them a standing ovation.  Something that was in itself that was extremely moving and made the night feel that little bit extra special.  I don't know how the band felt at that point but it made me swell with pride on their behalf and brought a tear the the eyes of all who witnessed it.

If you haven’t seen this band before then I would thoroughly recommend you go out and purchase a ticket for any of their gigs next time they honour these shores with their presence.  I promise you really will not be disappointed.

Once again I'd give them 10/10 for their performance and then some.