At The Academy

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All Photos By Justin Ryan

Twenty seven years and fourteen studio records into their eventful career, England's PARADISE LOST commenced their new European tour in Dublin, Ireland tonight (Sunday, 27th September, 2015). In promotion of their latest, hugely impressive studio album The Plague Within, thirty nine shows over twenty four European countries are scheduled, with tonight's show at The Academy being their first headline show in Dublin in twelve years.

The thousand strong crowd hemmed into tonight's compact venue gave the band a heroes welcome as they took to the barely lit stage at 9:06pm. First to appear was drummer Adrian Erlandsson, quickly followed by four of the bands five original members; dreadlocked lead guitarist Greg Mackintosh, bassist Steve Edmondson, rhythm guitarist Aaron Aedy and vocalist Nick Holmes. Containing six outstanding songs ("No Hope In Sight", "An Eternity Of Lies", "Beneath Broken Earth", "Return To The Sun", "Fear Of Silence" and "Never Look Away") and many other highlights throughout, arguably the best track on the new record, "No Hope In Sight" was chosen to open the show. Along with much of the new material, the songs riffs and spine tingling guitar solo immediately transported the crowd back to what many PARADISE LOST fans would describe as the bands golden era (i.e. - all material written from and including 1991's Gothic to 1995's Draconian Times records). The deafening roar of approval that greeted the gig openers conclusion drowned out the opening notes of the second tune of the night, "Widow", which was surprisingly and annoyingly the one and only track played tonight from 1993's stunningly brilliant Icon album.

Before the band launched into the nights third tune, the title track from Gothic, Nick Holmes addressed the audience directly for the first time on the night. "We haven't been to Dublin in years. Can anyone even remember the last time we were here?" he asked, which generated an inaccurate answer from the front rows of the crowd. "The year 2000? Really? You'll notice most of us now have much less hair than then!", was one of many quips from the jovial, bearded, waist-coated front man throughout the show. Another new track, "Terminal" followed which was introduced by Holmes as "another one of many songs that we will play for you tonight from our new album, The Plague Within. If you don't like the new material, tough shit!". The title track from 2012's Jens Borgen produced, Tragic Idol followed; as with material that had preceded it on the night from the Gothic and Icon works, it was disappointingly the one and only track from the excellent Tragic Idol record that was played. Holmes commented on the conclusion of "Praise Lamented Shade" from 2007's overall solid In Requiem album that "We haven't played that song in a long, long time and I'm so grateful we didn't fuck it up!". Each of the six songs from the new record on the set list received the crowds approval, the new material's content is not just similar to their golden era sound but tasteful aspects of 1997's One Second record (exemplified by parts of "An Eternity Of Lies" and parts of "Fear Of Silence"), add positively and unobtrusively to its overall vibe. The opening notes from the opening track of the essential Draconian Times (one of a trio of PARADISE LOST albums produced by Simon Efemey), the incredible "Enchantment" got a special cheer and found the crowd in fine voice. It was followed by four tracks which showcased the different degrees of heaviness that PARADISE LOST have utilized successfully throughout different stages of their career; the solid "Cry Out", the brilliant "Beneath Broken Earth", the classic "As I Die" and "Requiem", with its impressive guitar solo. "As I Die" had been presented by Holmes as "a song that's very much like Jaffa Cakes [a tasty spongy chocolate biscuit sold in the United Kingdom and Ireland], everybody likes it!".

Considering the bands vast amount of quality material, it was with some surprise that they wished their audience good night on the hour mark. Clearly stunned by the disappearance of the band into the stage wings after such a short set, the crowd waited patiently in silence for the group to reappear which thankfully they did a short time later. A four song encore followed which included two final songs from the latest album played on the night, the excellent "Return To The Sun" and the impressive "An Eternity Of Lies". "Say Just Words", the only track from One Second closed the sixteen song, 1 hour and twenty-four minute show, which although containing many memorable moments throughout, was greatly disappointing by its brevity.

Set List:

• "No Hope In Sight"
• "Widow"
• "Gothic"
• "Terminal"
• "Tragic Idol"
• "Praise Lamented Shade"
• "Victim Of The Past"
• "Enchantment"
• "Cry Out"
• "Beneath Broken Earth"
• "As I Die"
• "Requiem"