Tonight is a particularly appropriate way to round off the Halloween weekend as goth metal veterans Paradise Lost celebrate their 25th anniversary. Camden is crawling with black-clad figures more so than usual as fans of the macabre gather at the iconic Roundhouse. The evening is marked even more important with the concert committed to film for a DVD release for next year.
Although not playing any form of gothic music, Sweden's Katatonia evoke the same addiction to melancholy as the headliners do. The set begins with frontman Jonas Renkse simply stating "Viva Emptiness", before launching in the beloved 2003 album of the same name in its entirety, starting with closing track 'Inside the City of Glass' and working backwards. Usually instrumental, this edition of 'Inside the City of Glass' is the 2013 reboot, featuring lyrics and vocals that wholly suit the song. This track is then followed by 'Wait Outside', an outtake from the original album that follows the release's eerie and fragile stylings.
The sound of the Roundhouse is perfect, with all of Katatonia's intricacies communicated with a clarity that can be rare to find in the live environment. Their heavy rock is drenched with atmosphere and emotion. The rendition of 'Viva Empitness' includes more keyboard arrangements and some additional vocal harmonies that are not present on the new version. The result is strong, and despite Renske's microphone not working for the beginning of 'Wealth', it is hard not to be engrossed of the performances of 'Omerta', 'Criminals' and 'Ghost of the Sun', closing the set and drawing the most formidable ovation.
Having started life as a goth metal outfit, Lacuna Coil now feel like a strange compliment to this line up, now positioning themselves firmly in the nu metal camp. Opening with 'I Don't Believe in Tomorrow' from last year's 'Dark Adrenaline' album, the Italians emit an energy that directly travels to the audience who animate in ways that they did not do for Katatonia and their more subdued take on rock music.
With twin vocalists Cristina Scabbia and Andrea Ferro, the six-piece maintain a dynamic presence throughout. 'Dark Adrenaline' lends itself to a generous portion of the setlist, with such selections including 'Intoxicated', 'Kill the Darkness' and 'Upside Down' presented to the audience. The crowd reaction is consistently supportive. The band's breakthrough goth metal single 'Swamped' attains the strongest reaction with plenty of attendees singing along to every word and indeed this is the highlight of the performance. The only other goth metal number 'Heaven's a Lie' also receives a rabid ovation.
Unsurprisingly, the focus of song choices falls of Lacuna Coil's later albums, dabbing in alternative and hard rock sensibilities. 'Fragments of Faith', 'Our Truth' and 'Without Fear' substitute the emotive content that the Italians began with in favour of more punchy energy that works in the live setting. Scabbia maintains a solid rapport with the audience, striking the correct balance between music and stage banter. Closing with 'Spellbound', these rockers leave their fans with mile-wide smiles on their faces.
Twenty five years is a long time and in that time, Yorkshire's finest Paradise Lost have cycled through a bevy of dark music genres including doom metal, death metal, goth metal and goth rock. The setlist opens with a surprise as 'Mortals Watch the Way' from 1992 'Shades of God' is aired out. The reaction of the crowd is frenzied for such a rarity and indeed there are more surprises to come from the vault tonight.
The setlist ensures it draws from all of the band's eras, with a song from all albums. 'So Much is Lost' illustrates their modern gothic turn, 'Rotting Misery' satisfies those eager for the early death/doom material (complete with vocalist Nick Holmes employing rough growls) and the title track of last year's 'Tragic Idol' draws those who are not in the know up to speed where Paradise Lost are currently.
The five-piece put on a solid show with a fair amount of amusing banter from Holmes, communicating to the audience members on an individual level. The heavy, melodic and melancholic numbers are a reminder as to how important Paradise Lost are in the formation of the goth metal movement, alongside the doom/death metal realm. However, beyond the rarities, there is nothing else that marks the show as spectacular and there are some low points in the gig. When 'Say Just Words' arrives, the audience's energy is resorted, singing along to the song in its entirety and the show picks up.
After 'Say Just Words', the band vacates the stage only to return for their four song encore: 'Rotting Misery', 'One Second', 'True Belief' and final song 'Over the Madness'. While the fans are clearly very appreciative, the show ends rather suddenly. All in all, a good night was surely had by all but given the momentous occasion of the anniversary, it felt as if something more marvellous should have occurred.
FUTURE GIGS
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