This 2005 performance in St. Petersburg captures the legendary Swedish rock band Europe at a crucial turning point. Fresh off their reunion and the release of their powerful comeback album, "Start from the Dark," this concert was part of a tour that redefined their sound for a new era. Filmed at the Yubileyny Sports Palace, the show finds the band charged with renewed energy, eager to prove they were more than just their 80s legacy.
The performance is a masterclass in balancing the new with the classic. The set kicks off with the heavy, modern riffs of "Got To Have Faith," immediately signaling the band's heavier direction. This is woven seamlessly with timeless anthems like "Superstitious," "Rock the Night," and the power ballad "Carrie." The band also pays tribute to their hosts with a spirited rendition of the Russian folk song "Kalinka," a gesture that clearly connects with the St. Petersburg crowd.
Beyond the massive hits, the setlist digs deep into their catalog with tracks like "Wings Of Tomorrow" and "Seven Doors Hotel," delighting longtime fans. This restored footage offers a fantastic look at the chemistry between Joey Tempest's commanding vocals and John Norum's blistering guitar work. Ultimately, this concert is more than a collection of songs; it's a document of a band successfully navigating their return, bridging their glorious past with a confident, hard-rocking future, and culminating, as it must, with the earth-shaking anthem "The Final Countdown."