Review by Damien Doherty for MPM
There’s strong competition among the country’s metal fans tonight with Anthrax/Kreator/Testament dragging many off to Dublin.
However the healthy attendance in the Limelight tonight doesn’t reflect that at all. It’s been five years since Baroness last rolled into town, then inadvertently headlining at the Ulster Hall, as Volbeat managed half a song before technical difficulties forced them to abandon stage.
Doors swing open at 6:30 to welcome the waiting patrons in from a freezing Belfast night. Pallbearer hit the stage shortly after, the Arkansas doom merchants treat us to a 4 song set (don’t panic, it’s still a 45 minute long set, that’s doom for you!). Silver Wings from 2020’s Forgotten Days album opens, followed by Signals and With Disease from latest offering Mind Burns Alive, and ending with Worlds Apart from 2014 album Foundations of Burden.
It’s a heavy and foreboding set, these guys are at the top of their game, and it’s been as captive an audience as I’ve ever seen for an opening band.
With all assembled now suitably warmed up it’s time for Gothenburg legends Graveyard to hit the stage with their particular groovy/stoner rock vibe.
Twice is a straight up southern rock belter, quickly followed by Please Don’t and Cold Love from 2018’s Peace album before energetic drums introduce From A Hole In The Wall.
A double offering from Lights Out next; a low siren wail signals An Industry of Murder and the tempo slows for Slow Motion Countdown.
It’s a moody interlude broken by the psychedelic Hisingen Blues from the 2011 album of the same name. Goliath reminds me of Clutch, while Uncomfortably Numb is a brooding melodic song of love lost, and Rampant Fields continues the ethereal motif.
The cadence increases with Walk On and Ain’t Fit To Live Here before set closer The Siren builds in intensity to a crescendo, the lads have given their all, sweat dripping from their brows as they exit the stage.
What a performance from the Swedish quartet, and what an act to follow, however this is no challenge for the headliners!
Baroness hit the stage with authority; Last Word with its chugging riff is a mighty opener followed with Under The Wheel, both from the latest album Stone. Crowd favourite March To The Sea from 2012’s Yellow and Green is up next with full crowd participation on vocals.
Furious drumming from Sebastian Thompson introduces another excellent new song Beneath The Rose.
John Baizley is obviously enjoying himself tonight and praises all gathered on the palpable connection with the band.
A sweet reward for everyone is a song that hasn’t appeared on many of the tour setlists – Chlorine and Wine. It’s also my standout favourite Baroness track, and it heralds a marked uptake in audience energy. Swollen and Halo follows and it is pointed out to me by my buddy that the lighting for each song follows the album colour of it’s origin, pretty cool.
Shock Me is another fantastic example of the twin guitar wizardry of John and Gina Gleason, definitely the Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson of the modern era.
The atmospheric intro to Tourniquet gives way to melodic vocals underpinned by a rock solid bass line from Nick Jost. The lights turn red as intricate guitar lines introduce Isak, the penultimate song of the main set. And another huge anthem Take My Bone Aways closes out with the entire room moving and singing in unison before the band leaves the stage, for now.
Quick as a flash though they are back and the evening is closed out with The Sweetest Curse from 2009’s Blue Record and it is a corker of a tune, heavy as hell and frantic as fuck.
Then it really is goodnight from Baroness, it’s been a great night and you can see how much both band and spectators appreciate the shared experience, truly wonderful.
And as we exit the venue, John, now wrapped up comfortably for the freezing weather, is kindly meeting and talking with those leaving, giving generously of his time for words and photos – Legend. Here’s hoping that it’s not another 5 years before this show returns to town.
Photography by Darren Mcveigh for MPM
