Gallery, ReviewDitch This MagazineDecember 16, 2019gallery, live, melbourne, Odin Imaging, Nathan Goldsworthy, opeth, circles, Review, Palais Theatre

Opeth + Circles @ Palais Theatre 13-12-19

Gallery, ReviewDitch This MagazineDecember 16, 2019gallery, live, melbourne, Odin Imaging, Nathan Goldsworthy, opeth, circles, Review, Palais Theatre

words: Jennifer Rouse
photos: Nathan Goldsworthy @odin.imaging

Review

“Rattling the ninety-something year old Palais’ limits with volumes that would threaten structural integrity.”

Under the roof of the Palais Theatre, along St.Kilda esplanade, Opeth brought not only their latest offering; In Cauda Venenum, but a diverse tasting of what has been a 30 year long career for the band in one incarnation or another. With an Australian theatre tour, what better place to hold such an impressive expanse of creative achievement than the landmark Palais Theatre? Which in its own right has stood its ground as host to international big names and ballet.

Like crows amongst the sea gulls, the draw of Opeth’s presence attracted old and new fans alike. With support from Melbourne band Circles a stage was set for the Scandinavian metal powerhouse.

As ‘Livets trädgård’ and ‘Svekets prins’ echoed across the room, hushing a bustling sea of metal heads to their seats, the anticipation grew within an already eager and vocal audience. Once struck with ‘The Leper Affinity’ it was hard to tell what inspired fans more. The lead up to what would be a nostalgic outpouring or the moments themselves thereafter.

Front man Mikael Åkerfeldt dissolved the regal setting early on with banter in between songs. Light heartedly, Åkerfeldt held the perceptions of the broader metal community up to a wide brim for their response to personal appearances and what could or couldn’t not be done in the presence of blast beats.

The night rolled through favoured tracks from albums: Ghost Reveries, Heritage, a Pale Communion, Damnation, and Watershed. Rattling the ninety-something year old Palais’ limits with volumes that would threaten structural integrity. Which would not be a bad way to go!

With this intensity there were also moments of awe induced sedation. Followed later by a twenty minute encore of ‘Sorceress’ and ‘Deliverance.’ That pried the audience to their feet. From the first note to last, Opeth’s professionalism and experience made the performance look like a walk on the beach and a night not soon forgotten.