"Windowpane" eased things off slightly.
Seven minutes of reflective acoustic lament later and things were to accelerate once again. Unfortunately the next song was labeled as the final of the night, but nevertheless a barnstorming "Blackwater Park" jettisoned out of the PA, giving everyone cue for the most uninhibited of bodily reaction imaginable.
As with convention, this was not actually the final moment of the gig, but simply the penultimate one. For the band returned for an encore after allowing a long enough period of time for another “Opeth” chant to commence. The closing song? As I interjected to a nearby citizen’s attempt to hypothesize the situation, it was very clearly going to be arch-fan favourite "Demon of the Fall". And it was. And fair enough, it stands as a high water mark in the history of the band, and was the song that introduced me to the majesties of the Scandinavian fellows. Few better songs could have brought the evening to an end.
Two hours passed in what seemed like two minutes, a setlist of what couldn’t have been more than nine songs, and a downside to Opeth live that I had had an inkling about beforehand presents itself. With such lengthy compositions, Opeth can fill a two-hour time allotment with ease, and without playing a hell of a lot of songs. It’ll always be an area of contention, but one can’t help but mourn the omission of certain songs, and I feel I’m perfectly in my right at complaining about the lack of songs from 2002’s Deliverance, i.e. a grand sum of none. Watching the title track and "Master’s Apprentice" played in full-force on the Lamentations DVD beforehand, I was ensconced in eager anticipation for either of those songs, but sadly it was not to be. And such long, pummeling songs as those are, are perfect for the live setting. Well, maybe next time.
Slight gripes notwithstanding, it was an excellent show. Opeth show that they can effortlessly transpose their epic soundscapes into the world of stage lighting and smoke machines. And now I must go and rest my neck.
Article comments
1 - Paul Roy
"the news that the show is to be filmed for a possible DVD release. How those neck-hairs stood erect at the gospel!"
How I feel your pain! Or was it pleasure. Anyways, awesome review.
2 - Aaron Fleming
Thanks Paul. Oh, the latter by all means, the possibility of seeing yourself looking stupid on screen is too good a one not be excited about!
3 - Tom
Thanks for the review! But they didn't play 'The Moor'. :)
4 - Aaron Fleming
Actually Tom, I think you may be correct and I have given incorrect information, and for that I apologise. I believe I have gotten The Moor confused with Bleak. My head hangs in shame.
5 - Connie Phillips
Congratulations! This article was chosen this week as an Editor's Pick.
6 - Encore
Actually, they played Deliverance as the encore. Looks like you left too early buddy.
7 - Aaron Fleming
Well if they did it must've been to an empty arena.
Sure you're not thinking of the other UK gigs, where Deliverance WAS played as an encore? I guess they switched it with Demon of the Fall for the DVD, what with Deliverance already available on Lamentations.