When the announcement of Paradise Lost’s concert at Gagarin, Athens, was made it made their many fans in Greece smile with happiness. The fact that this would be during the tour to promote their excellent new album "Faith Divides Us-Death Unites Us" and that in 2007, due to an illness of Nicky Holmes, we enjoyed them just for 40 minutes, gave an additional motive to pack the Gagarin club. Finally, the concert was a sold out proving how much Paradise Lost are loved in our country.

When I arrived at 9:00, Gagarin was quite packed. Unfortunately, Sad Dolls that opened the show had finished their performance. However, positive comments were heard about their performance and their songs. At 9:15 it was time for the Athenians Poem to take action. The positive comments that have been heard about their debut "The Secret Show" and the growing reputation were leaving promises for a very good support act. From the first moment they managed to win the crowded Gagarin club, giving a high standard performance. The 30 minute setlist included new songs from their debut, and although their alternative metal with progressive elements style had nothing to do with the gothic metal of Paradise Lost, they were impressive putting a very good performance. Special reference deserves the drummer, who earned positive comments from the audience and left very good impressions.

At 10:15 the time we all expected came at last. Paradise Lost started their performance with “Rise Of Denial", one of the heaviest songs of their new album "Faith Divides Us-Death Unites Us".  Explosive songs followed with the now classic "Pity The Sadness", "Erased" and "Embers Fire" to excite the fans. The concert continued with new and old songs. Tracks from "Faith Divides Us-Death Unites Us" such as "I Remain" and the title track were incorporated very well in the set and were accepted with enthusiasm by the fans. As for the old songs, words are not enough.... songs like "As I Die", "Enchantment", "One Second" and "Forever Failure" delighted and excited the fans who sang along every verse with Nicky Holmes. In the encore, we heard "As Horizon Ends" from "Faith Divides Us-Death Unites Us" and the classic "Say Just Words". Especially the last one was met with great enthusiasm by the fans who praised the band. Paradise Lost said goodnight but returned after the fans demand for more and they played "Eternal", that meant the end of their after 90-minute performance.

In general, Paradise Lost performed perfectly all their songs with Nicky Holmes giving an excellent performance and Gregor Mackintosh being infallible. As for their new drummer, the experienced Adrian Erlandsson (At The Gates, The Haunted, Cradle Of Filth) has created an excellent impression, leaving his mark especially on the new songs. The only negative was the short duration of the concert (yes ... it was incredible and we wanted some more) and the absence of songs like "Gothic", "The Last Time" and "True Belief", that were really missed. Some small problems in the sound didn't really bother us and generally we enjoyed the majesty of Paradise Lost.

-Setlist:
Rise Of Denial
Pity The Sadness
Erased
Embers Fire
I Remain
As I Die
The Enemy
First Light
Enchantment
Frailty
One Second
Forever Failure
Requiem
Faith Divides Us, Death Unites Us
-Encore 1:
As Horizon Ends
Say Just Words
-Encore 2:
Eternal


Promoter: On Stage


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