Spectral Make Their Live Debut at Yellow Arch Studios, Sheffield
On Sunday 13th September, Spectral took to the stage at Sheffield's Yellow Arch Studios for their debut performance. Joining them for the night were Manchester alternative rock artist Kora Olivia, Sheffield metalcore band Waiting for Breath and South Wales progressive gothic metal band Root Zero.
Kora Olivia
Kora Olivia got the night underway with a lively alternative rock set. The raw, raspy vocals gave the performance a gritty edge, bringing plenty of character and energy to the stage and making for an excellent start to the evening. I really liked the set, particularly those very distinctive vocals and the gorgeous energy on stage.
Waiting for Breath
Waiting for Breath brought the heaviness next, with aggressive breakdowns, heavy guitar riffs and relentless rhythms driving their set. Their vocals moved between guttural screams and soaring melodic hooks, adding plenty of contrast to the band's hard-hitting sound. This was definitely my kind of heavy, and I really enjoyed their set.
Root Zero
Travelling from South Wales, Root Zero brought progressive gothic metal to Yellow Arch Studios. Their set combined intricate guitar work with piano and synth textures, building a darker, layered sound around two contrasting vocal styles. Smooth clean passages moved into harsher vocals, adding further variation to the performance. I was really looking forward to seeing Root Zero, and their set didn't disappoint
Spectral's Debut
Spectral closed the night with their debut show. The band's live sound centres on heavy gothic rock, electronic beats and heavy guitars, with the vocals providing a strong emotional focus. Fletch, the band's keyboard player, wasn't on stage for the performance, with pre-recorded parts providing the keyboard and electronic elements.
One of the night's standout moments for me came with an acoustic version of “Even In Arcadia”. The stripped-back arrangement gave Spectral's version of the Sleep Token track a very different character, putting the vocal performance firmly in the spotlight - and what a vocal! Absolutely stunning.
I thoroughly enjoyed Spectral's performance. I loved the sound they created live and felt genuinely privileged to be there for their first headline show. After seeing them live, I really hope we get to see Spectral playing around Sheffield and further afield soon - I can't wait to hear more from them.
Love Letters: Part One
Alongside the live show, Spectral have also released their new seven-track EP, Love Letters: Part One, via Ghost Depot Records.
The release brings together two covers and five instrumental versions of songs from the band's catalogue. It opens with Spectral's take on Sleep Token's “Even In Arcadia”, followed by their version of Miley's “Midnight Sky”.
The full track listing is:
“Even In Arcadia” Sleep Token Cover
“Midnight Sky” Miley Cover
“Kali” Instrumental Version
“1212” Instrumental Version
“Saints of Excess” Instrumental Version
“Sacrifice” Instrumental Version
“Falling” Instrumental Version
The EP is also accompanied by an official video for “Even In Arcadia”.
Love Letters: Part One follows Spectral's debut EP, 12:12, released in autumn 2025.
With Love Letters: Part One now available, Spectral's Sheffield headline debut offered a chance to experience the project beyond the recordings, bringing together the electronic, gothic and heavier elements of their sound in a live setting.
From the full-band intensity of the headline set to the stripped-back performance of “Even In Arcadia”, it was a night that showed the different sides of Spectral and a fitting way to mark this latest and very exciting chapter.
Follow Spectral:
