Sole support and special guests Insomnium at first glance seem like an unusual selection to share a tour with Moonspell but considering this melodic death metal act cough up their own musical mire of misery, the mood is more appropriate than what face value suggests. Having a fairly consistent fanbase in London since their rise into the upper echelons of modern melo death, the Finnish four-piece have no issues bucking the Underworld trend of limited numbers of spectators when compared to the headliners. Opening with 'Inertia' from their latest 'One for Sorrow' album, the band begins a campaign of beautifully crafted melancholia that is readily devoured by the audience.
The setlist focuses on their later efforts, predominantly the last full-length 'One for Sorrow', with choices including 'Only One Who Waits', 'Through the Shadows' and 'Unsung' beefing up the forty-five minute setlist. 'Across the Dark' has two selections: 'Down with the Sun' and 'Where the Last Wave Broke' and only one from 'Above the Weeping World' 'Change of Heart'. Before this release, no tracks are played, showing the confidence Insomnium have in their later work. The size of the Underworld limits the stage present the group can afford but the headbanging on display is infectious and the audience reaction is strong. Closing with the title track from their latest album, these Finland natives leave behind a support performance worthy of the title of headliners and explain why their London fanbase has been so enduring over the years. Surely, they aided Moonspell in selling out the venue.
With the temperature of London banishing the seemingly eternal winter the country has been exposed to, the heat inside the venue is not the most pleasant condition to endure a gig in. Nonetheless, the gig is at full capacity and the crowd is thick with anticipation of Moonspell. Opening with 'Axis Mundi' from last year's 'Alpha Noir' release sees frontman Fernando Ribeiro donned in Roman-inspired metal armour presenting his dramatic stage present to the audience. The title track follows, by which point Ribeiro has removed his armour but continues frantically engaging the crowd.
With the addition of a keyboard on stage, space is very limited but Moonspell are far from lifeless. Doubled with their traditional gothic metal soundscapes, the stage presence of the Portuguese comes off as almost theatrical. Goth rock-inspired melodies line up perfectly against heavy metal rhythm guitars and Ribeiro's alternation between bass-y clean vocals and black metal rasps. The 'Alpha Noir' album is represented generously here, with tracks including 'Love is Blasphemy' and 'Lickanthrope' summoned forth. Debut album 'Wolfshade' is far from forgotten too, attaining the strongest responses from fans; it becomes a challenge not to dance to the hauntingly beautiful melodies of 'Vampyra', 'An Erotic Alchemy' and the folk metal 'Ataegina'. The later 'Scorpion Flower' described by Ribeiro as being a description of Moonspell - is another particular highlight of the night, with Anneke van Giersbergen's female vocals taped, in spite of the questionable sound that dethrones it from perfection.
After the classic 'Alma Mater', the band vacates the stage for the encore that Ribeiro pre-empted beforehand. Returning, the five-piece execute a three hit combo of 'Wolfshade', 'Mephisto' and conclude with the fiery 'Full Moon Madness', all three encouraging audience vocal participation.
After an hour and forty-five minutes, Moonspell finally leave the stage. Although the audience is notably thinner in density, those who faithfully remained behind are not disappointed and are heartily thanked by the band. Hopefully Moonspell's return to London will be equally as successful but not following as long an absence. Fantastic.
article by: Elena Francis
published: 26/04/2013 10:47
FUTURE GIGS
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