LUCIFER is German vocalist Johanna Sadonis’ latest project since the untimely demise of The Oath last year. Joined by Cathedral’s Gaz Jennings, LUCIFER’s sound is a perfect blend of Black Sabbath and Stevie Nicks; bluesy heaviness which deals with themes of the occult and magic. I felt like we’d been transported back to the 70’s. The music and outfits are all very retro and at one point Johanna even picked up a tambourine. They aren’t the sort of thing I usually listen to, particularly not live but I did enjoy the set. It included some great tracks, ‘Anubis’ and ‘Izrael’. I love Johanna’s sweeping hand gestures; I’m not sure but she may have put a hex on everyone in the crowd. At one point I thought she had set me on fire but turns out I was just standing under a spotlight that suddenly came on at the sweep of her arm.
Just off their tour of Japan with fellow Swedes, Watain, TRIBULATION is one of those bands that are really hard to categorise. Some people say that they fall under the umbrella of death metal but that doesn’t seem right to me. Black? Dark metal – what does any of it even mean? They simply don’t quite fit anywhere. Each of their three albums to date has delivered a completely different style. Their latest offering ‘Children Of The Night’ has seething vampyric vocals over funereal dirges – it is definitely right up my street. Have you ever, like me, agonised over how to have a relaxing bath without compromising your kvlt image? Stick some TRIBULATION on, light some black candles, pour a goblet of red wine and hey presto! That’s my serving suggestion anyway.
Tribulation
The band gives a great performance; lots of gyrating and hip thrusts onstage which are always appreciated. At one point the stage is so overwhelmed by the smoke machine that it is hard to tell if the band has left the stage entirely. I did feel for our photographer, Becky Hill, having to work in those conditions but for me, in the crowd, it was just spectacular.
Tribulation
Yorkshire’s PARADISE LOST need little introduction. Well respected as pioneers of the gothic metal and doom genres, they won the Metal Hammer Inspiration award at the 2013 Golden Gods. A stable line-up over the past 27 years (they’ve only ever changed drummers) has meant that they’ve been able to collectively focus on evolving the band’s sound over time.
The band certainly attracts an older crowd and at one point they acknowledge this themselves commenting on the “middle-aged mosh pit” that has opened up. This tour is to promote their fourteenth studio album ‘The Plague Within’ which was released this June. Their loyal fan base reacts really well to the new material, cheering after each song.
Paradise Lost
Halfway through the set we’re treated to two tracks from the album back to back; ‘Flesh From Bone’ and ‘Beneath Broken Earth’. Vocalist, Nick Holmes, tells us these are both about dying, They are followed by another song also about dying, ‘As I Die’ from their 1992 album ‘Shades Of God’. Bit grim for a Saturday night but you wouldn’t expect anything less!
Paradise Lost
I’m no sound technician but there seemed to be an annoying clicking coming from the mic for the first few songs, but this sorted quickly and didn’t spoil the show for me. My only gripe is that they didn’t play ‘The Enemy’ from the album ‘In Requiem’, a personal favourite, but after so many years it must be hard to choose a set list to please everyone.
It was a great night. Three very different bands but they complemented each other nicely.
Review by Rebecca Collins
