Original northern Doom metal 'Icon's
Original Doom-metallers Paradise Lost were one of the most hotly anticipated bands of the weekend, proving that the event’s bill isn’t just for teenage mall-rockers and thrash screamers. So it seems totally bizarre that singer Nick Holmes should begin the set by proclaiming (the most over-used phrase of the weekend) “Hi-de-hi, campers!” and when he gets a response, “I can’t believe you answered that.” Yeah, this crowd is up for anything.
‘Embers Fire’ is a dose of nostalgia for the crowd, and their set proves the ‘Lost’s tendency towards experimentation and a more melodic sound wasn’t a bad move. But the band seems to be troubled by technical problems, with the monitors in particular. Still, not to be put off they banter with their fans for a bit, establishing that there are about five people in the audience who are actually from Prestatyn, before they tear through the heavy rumble of ‘Never For The Damned’. By this time, there are lots more hands in the air, waving and punching at Holmes’ request, as they power into ‘As I Die’, the haunting ‘The Enemy’ (or ‘the enema’ as Holmes would have it), and the strangely out of place ‘Gothic’.
The crowd response at the start wasn’t particularly bad, but it was getting late and the crowd are noticeably more, um, hammered (both musically and by considerable liquid refreshment). It sounded like the band themselves were starting to get frustrated with the lack of participation at times, and the technical issues didn’t help either. But as the set progressed the response from the crowd got better and better, and there’s no doubt that this is what a lot of them have been waiting for. Even the seating at the back has near enough filled to capacity. As the euphoric squeal of guitar hails their last song of the night, ironically ‘The Last Time’, the crowd are on a high and Paradise Lost have clearly won the battle for a difficult set.