Swedish doom/goth metallers Draconian caused somewhat of a stir in the capital due to a last minute cancellation back in April when they axed their performance at the Doom Over London festival due to the visa issues of South African vocalist Heike Langhans. However, proceedings have not improved for these Swedes as yet again, Langhans has been denied a visa. Commendably, the band has decided to soldier on without her, employing vocalist Lisa Cuthbert as a substitute.
Coming from Spain are Helevorn, another doom/goth metal act not dissimilar to the headliners. With three albums to their name, they unravel lavish doom metal composition with the melodic guitar leads that are frequented in goth metal, decorated with clean vocals and growls, evidently drawing influence from the likes of Paradise Lost and Katatonia. The Spaniards may not be reinventing the wheel but their metal is palatable with the venue fairly full and seemingly appreciative of the music on offer.
Launching into 'The Drowning Age' from 'A Rose for the Apocalypse', doom/goth metallers Draconian offer heaps of musical melancholia to the bustling venue – well suited for the rainy August evening. Mournful guitar leads are supported by sinister rhythm guitar communicating death doom metal, beside the death metal vocals of Anders Jacobsson accompanied by melodic forlorn female vocals. Stand in vocalist Lisa Cuthbert does a competent job at echoing her recorded counterpart and the audience are certainly pleased by her contribution. Taped keyboards flesh the music further, contributing to a more atmospheric quality.
Selections from all of Draconian's albums excluding 'The Burning Halo' are showcased tonight,such as'The Cry of Silence' from the debut 'Where Lovers Mourn', 'A Scenery of Loss' from 'Arcane Rain Fell', 'Bloodflower' from 'Turning Seasons Within' and 'The Last Hour of Ancient Sunlight' from the most recent release 'A Rose for the Apocalypse'. Fans are treated further with the inclusion of two Draconian tracks to appear on the forth-coming 'Sovran' album, namely 'Dishearted' and 'Heavy Lies the Crown', both tracks adhering tightly to the band's formula and eking out a hearty response from the crowd. Jacobsson also issues a formal apology for vocalist Heike Langhan's absence but Cuthbert ensures she feels the love back in Sweden with a recording of the audience chanting Langhan's name. Closing song 'Death, Come Near Me' seals the concert with 15 minutes of aural beauty, slowly weaving an ethereal yet heavy tapestry of metal at its gloomiest without straying into the kitsch.
Draconian's UK debut feels extremely overdue now that the band is over 20 years old and the Swedes should certainly be congratulated on continuing the show without Langhan's presence. Hopefully this country's border control will be more compassionate to the fans next time by understanding that a musician currently residing in Sweden playing one gig for an hour and a half is unlikely to contravene her visa status. Nonetheless the fans in attendance tonight still universally relished the group's performance for their entire set and undoubtedly do not regret their outing tonight. Here's hoping the immigration issues do not discourage Draconian from coming back.
FUTURE GIGS
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