Walking into the venue opening band Aluna’s were already part way through their set.  This is the second time I have stumbled across Aluna, having seen them support Trouble earlier in the year. As on that occasion they have a good doom sound, with some competent musicians in the band, however they lack that dynamic edge and all in all come across as, well a bit bland really. 

Italian band, Novembre, suffer a similar fate. There is little movement on stage and as I' wasn't familiar with the material it all sounded rather samey. So when they announced songs such as “Cold Blue Steel”, “Dream Of The Old Boats” and “Child Of The Twilight”, not only did it not mean much but, in reality, the songs did little to inspire either. If you're a fan of theirs I am sure they would have come across well, and maybe if I'd known more of the material they would have been better but as it was they were equally as bland as the opening band. 

Has there ever been a more underrated band than Paradise Lost?  From a Personal point of view it's seems a disgrace that such an outfit, with so many albums behind them, cannot fill a venue that many lesser bands would quickly sell out.  Touring their new album, In Requiem, which many feel is a return to form for Paradise Lost, their set was built around many of the new songs.  They started with “The Enemy” and “Ash & Debris”, as well as playing “Praise Lamented Shade” and “Requiem” later in their main set.  With eleven1 albums under their belt they moved from album to album with ease, going from “So Much Is Lost” from Host to “As I Die” from Shades Of God which, given the difference on record, are not that far apart live.  Songs from other albums also were showcased, from old favourites “Gothic” and “Enchantment”, to newer titles in the shape of “Grey” and “No Celebration”, with the band each wandering slowly from the stage after the anthem that is “One Second”. 

Paradise Lost are consummate professionals and are equally well established and comfortable with each other in the live environment, each member bringing their own personality to the stage. Throughout the set Aaron Aedy looked supremely happy, constantly headbanging on one side of the stage, whilst on the other side of the Wulfrun stage unsung guitar god, Greg Mackintosh was just a swirl of hair. Nick Holmes, the centre piece of Paradise Lost brought his dry sense of humour to the set up, thanking everyone for going to see PL rather than The Human League, who were in the bigger Civic Hall next door. Even newest member, drummer Jeff Singer, seemed settled in as he stood on his drum stool to get everyone clapping along to the songs. 

Paradise Lost were as entertaining as you would expect for a band as experienced in this game as they are, however portions of the crowd were baying for the band to deliver songs conspicuous by their absence. Holmes rightfully pointed out of course the difficulty of producing a set list to please everyone given the back catalogue they possess.  Whilst I agree with him in many respects, and they did touch on most of their albums, sadly there was only one song aired from Draconian Times and Icon was ignored altogether.  A shame as personally, and I do not believe I am alone, I think this is some of their strongest material. While I wouldn’t have wanted any songs removed from their set, more time on stage to incorporate some of this material would have been good.  However with encores of “Never For The Damned”, “Erased”, “Over The Madness” and “Say Just Words” any such gripes were soon forgotten as  Paradise Lost delivered  another great performance – long may they continue.

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