Paradise Lost's Tragic Idol tour rolls into town the week of the album release and what a great support bill they have in tow. Like the recent UK weather a cloud has descended upon Nottingham and Paradise Lost have brought the cloak of gloom to block out all light penetration.

Vreid take to the stage early to bang out their Norwegian Black Metal but with an underlying groove, I realize that may seem odd but hang in there, this actually works. With plumes of dry ice and an abundance of energy they deliver a respectable, albeit with a tinny sound, quite an entertaining set. Not so much Death but certainly Metal they are the perfect starter to this 3 course all metal feast. Performing tracks from their latest album 'V' the subdued crowd greet them with appreciating applause, maybe it's the early stage time but they go down reasonably well.

Certainly the filling of this triple Metal delight, Insomnium just take it up a notch or 12 with their immense show of power and dynamics which truly engages the increasing crowd to stand up and notice. Choosing to showcase a flurry of tracks from their latest album, 'One For Sorrow' this is an immense show of confidence in their material. Owning the stage and covering every last part of it while pulling the rock star poses this is what a gig is all about. I have to admit this was my first Insomnium experience and most certainly not my last, vocalist/bassist Niilo Sevänen's growls down the mic with threatening precision while the constant intrinsic guitar flurries surround you. These Finnish guys are certainly on the cusp of breaking out and taking the metal world by storm, prepare for many sleepless nights.

Latest album 'Tragic Idol' came out a couple of days ago so Nick Holmes and the guys take the bull by the horns and come racing out of the blocks with 'Desolate' soon followed by the haunting lyric honesty of new one 'Honesty In Death'. The atmosphere is heavy with intent with lighting to complement it and this is what the masses have come to expect. Over 20 years into their career and like a malt whiskey they get better with age. Not losing any of the dark .brooding melancholic attributes that made them popular all those years ago, Paradise Lost have knuckled down and still pump out classic metal shows. Nick Holmes, sometimes having been accused of being a little hot 'n cold in the live arena is on fire tonight with the guitar ripping Greg Mackintosh throwing his long mane around the red lit hall it's a great sight. Showcasing a career spanning set it's the encore that makes the set all worth the admission fee, 'One Second', 'Fear Of Impending Hell', 'Faith Divides Us' and the last song of the night 'Just Say Words' really adds the black icing to the cake. The U.K has a long history of classic metal acts; among those you can firmly include Paradise Lost as true innovators and stalwarts of British metal, on this form long may they continue.