The Brook, Southampton
Completely missed the first band Vierd but second band Insomnium were bleeding awesome. Melodic Death Metal with power metal guitars turned up to the max. They hail from Finland and put on a very accomplished live show. Which isn’t surprising as they formed in 1999 and have five full length albums under their belts. Their latest opus One For Sorrow has gathered some rave reviews. Windmill headbanging, furious guitars licks and guttural vocals nicely prepare The Brook for the headliners.
Paradise Lost have been around the circuit long enough to know how to entertain a crowd. Vocalist Nick Holmes worked the audience like the seasoned professional that he is and delivered an outstanding vocal performance on the night. His partner in crime Greg Mackintosh let fly with his doomy guitar riffs that soon had everybody nodding their heads in unison. On the rhythm guitar Aaron Aedy looked like he was having a whale of a time, attacking every song as if it was the first night of the tour (I think it was actually the second night). Steve Edmondson is a rock on bass. He has formed a strong partnership over the years with drummer Adrian Erlandsson (Brujeria, Nemhain, Cradle of Filth) and they gave the tracks a solid foundation of sound. Dipping extensively into their vast back catalogue and playing songs from new album Tragic Idol, the Yorkshiremen (and one Swede) put on a mesmerising show. It was an absolute pleasure seeing a band this big at the intimate Brook, well done to them for booking them.
Setlist
Desolate
Honesty In Death
Widow
Erased
Forever Failure
Soul Courageous
To The Darkness
Praise Lamented Shade
Pity The Sadness
True Belief
As I Die
Symbol Of Life
Tragic Idol
The Enemy
One Second
Fear Of Impending Hell
Faith Divides Us
Words and Pictures by Dan O’Gara.
