paradise_lost_2012_05

» Paradise Lost 2012 05 16

Reviewed by Tobbe
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Special guest: Swallow The Sun
City: Stockholm, Sweden
Venue: Debaser Slussen
Date: 16 May 2012
Paradise Lost set length: 74 minutes

Paradise Lost

One of the inventors and benchmarkers of real gothic metal are back in Stockholm, Sweden once again to play their depressive metal. A total of 500 people showed up for tonight's show and as usual when this venue is sold out it was hot and overcrowded. Vocalist Nick Holmes, told us that on this one month tour, this was the hottest place they've played at thus far. The stage lighting was nothing but terrible, as the spotlights were directed right at the band's backs and were often blinding.

The band entered the stage to the first chords of Widow and looked focused from the very start. The crowd was on their feet and the set continued with fan favorites and so called hits. Nothing has changed since the last dozens of times I've seen them. Rhythm guitarist Aaron Aedy is visible and overplays his chords, in a good way though. Lead guitarist Greg Mackintosh is hidden behind his hair when playing his magnificent licks. Bassist Steve Edmondson, with the looks of random British soccer hooligan, looks like he could be anywhere else instead of on a stage and a now short haired Nick Holmes have his own sense of humor between the songs, like telling us that it wasn't his real hair, but a wig.

Much to my surprise, only two songs in total are played from their iconic and most famous albums Draconian Times and Icon. In my opinion, a good move since songs from those albums have been played over and over again on their past tours. Two songs from Shades Of God are played to please the older fans, as the vocalist stated. The set also included three songs from One Second; an album that was the first step away from gothic metal.

The four songs played from their brand new and fantastic April 2012 release, Tragic Idol, went down well, except for Fear Of Impending Hell. One of my personal favorites and a great studio track, but unfortunately it didn't work out live tonight. In This We Dwell was however the brightest shining star tonight. A killer song, with strong elements from their earlier work and a future classic, which will probably stay in their livesets for a long time.

With the help of their recorded quires and effects, the band performed well, even if some mistakes were heard, but with a playing time of only 74 minutes and a crappy stage which held the band back, this gig will only be rated somewhere between decent and good. Come on, 74 minutes including a two minute intro and a three minute break before the encores with thirteen albums released. Not satisfying or good enough. On a bigger stage, where the band don't hit the ceiling and with a longer set, the rating would probably have ended up at 7 or 8.

Performance: 6 chalices of 10
Stage sound: 5 chalices of 10
Best: In This We Dwell, The Enemy
Worst: Fear Of Impending Hell, The Venue

Setlist:

Desolate (Intro)
Widow
Honesty In Death
Erased
Forever Failure
Soul Courageous
In This We Dwell
Praise Lamented Shade
Pity The Sadness
As I Die
Symbol Of Life
Tragic Idol
The Enemy
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One Second
Fear Of Impending Hell
Faith Divides Us - Death Unites Us
Say Just Words