Live-report + photos by Christian Tallone

Since a very long time I’ve been wanting to see PARADISE LOST live show, but never had the chance, and also I’ve been wanting to visit Finland for a long time…SO, when I saw the tour dates I said to myself “OK, it’s time to go to Helsinki” and I dedicate to Paradise Lost this my beautiful experience.

But let’s get to the heart of the matter, I arrive at the Tavastia at around 7:00 pm, a historic venue in the capital of Finland that has been active since 1970, a few souls outside under a light rain and a perfect atmosphere for the event that awaits for us, it’s a great emotion for me as a Superfan of the PL being able to see them in such a context, the place is small but perfectly structured, practically a pub with a stage… forget about a tons of security personnel, here the atmosphere is very familiar, intimate (capacity about 700 people )… Absolutely amazing.

HANGMAN’S CHAIR – support band

At 19:45 to open the dance are the French Stoner / Doom group HANGMAN’S CHAIR, a band that I honestly didn’t know but which has 6 studio albums and almost 20 years of career to its credit.

They immediately attack powerful, dark guitars and deep voice, the time to turn around and Tavastia is full to the limit of sold-out, precise and powerful they hold up the stage for about an hour, surrounded by an icy bluish light… Mehdi Birouk’s drums are the master with real cannon shots, setting fire to the atmosphere, their performance flows so well that in a moment it is already over, a wonderful discovery for myself who will surely deepen the knowledge of the band. Sorry, I have not their Tavastia -setlist available.

PARADISE LOST – headliner

After a quick change of stage (also due to its small size, almost completely devoid of scenography except for the raised drums and a banner) at 21:00 the headliners of the evening, UK doom legends PARADISE LOST, finally enter the scene, they need no further introduction.. .

They give a welcome with their beautiful “Enchantment” and the Finnish audience goes crazy … from that moment it remains enraptured and involved for the entire duration of the performance, the voice of the charismatic frontman Nick is initially a bit low but everything settles down very little time, for the rest everything is perfectly done, it seems to hear the album… the guitars of Aaron and Gregor bind on the equally excellent work of the bassist Stephen, another beautiful surprise is the “new entry”, our Italian compatriot Guido, a boy who despite his young age fits perfectly next to his companions, playing impeccably, nothing can be said, they are practically perfect.

They don’t loose their time in chatter, accentuating their dark and mysterious side, and they give us an always uphill show with thirteen songs taken from the most recent albums blended naturally with the old classics despite their change of style on the latest works…going from “Blood and Chaos”, “Faith divides us- death unites US” (a song that I personally adore).”Eternal ” and the epics “The Enemy” and “No Hope In Sight” to conclude with three encores…”Darker Thoughts”, “Embers Fire” and “Ghosts”.

At the end of this concert my expectations on this band are not only confirmed but greatly exceeded, on the other hand, I have always imagined the boys cold and reserved, but on the contrary, I had the pleasure of discovering fabulous people … if in the future they happen to play where you are, don’t miss them for anything in the world.

Paradise Lost, Tavastia il 9 novembre 2022 Setlist
Enchantment
Forsaken
Blood and Chaos
Faith Divides Us – Death Unites Us
Eternal
One Second
Serenity
The Enemy
As I Die
The Devil Embraced
The Last Time
No Hope in Sight
Say Just Words

Encore:
Darker Thoughts
Embers Fire
Ghosts

Watch the live footages from the show – courtesy of Sound ov Darkness

Paradise Lost – “Enchantment” @ Tavastia, Helsinki, 9/11/22

Paradise Lost – “Blood and Chaos” @ Tavastia, Helsinki, 9/11/22

Paradise Lost – “Eternal” @ Tavastia, Helsinki, 9/11/22

Paradise Lost – “One Second” @ Tavastia, Helsinki, 9/11/22

Paradise Lost – “The Enemy” @ Tavastia, Helsinki, 9/11/22

Paradise Lost – “As I Die” @ Tavastia, Helsinki, 9/11/22

Paradise Lost – “The Last Time” @ Tavastia, Helsinki, 9/11/22

Paradise Lost – “No Hope in Sight” @ Tavastia, Helsinki, 9/11/22

Paradise Lost – “Say Just Words” @ Tavastia, Helsinki, 9/11/22