Cathedral – Astoria 2005

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This was one of those shows where, as the band walks off stage, you’re left with just one thought: “Where the hell are you going?!” Alas, a mere twenty-three minutes of Cathedral is all we would be treated to tonight, but following it, I wouldn’t suggest missing them when they tour as headliners later in the year.

The set opened with powerful live favourite Utopian Blaster from 1995′s The Carnival Bizarre. How in God’s name that voice comes out of that skinny little guy I have no idea, but vocalist Lee Dorrian was immense. Playing on a reduced stage with just a couple of amps each for guitarist Garry Jennings and bassist Leo Smee, the band were loud, heavy and raw. Given the force and power drummer Brian Dixon was displaying, he probably could have gotten away without even being mic’ed. With new album The Garden of Unearthly Delights due out, the band played three brand new cuts. Powerful and fast, Tree of Life & Death was the pick of these, although the excellent Corpsecycle provided a little light in the otherwise all-out assault with its more progressive mid-section.

The altogether too short set closed in classic Cathedral style with Ride from 1993s Ethereal Mirror. Prior to this song, Lee had said they only had two numbers left, but following it, the band exchanged glances, nodded to each and put their instruments down. Clearly the intention was to play another one. Their allotted time actually ran for thirty minutes, so why they stopped early remains unknown. Nevertheless, a powerful set, and now I can’t wait for the full tour.

by Andy Lye

“ loud, heavy and raw ”

Setlist: Utopian Blaster / Tree of Life & Death / Corpsecycle / Upon Azreal’s Wings / Ride

Written by Andy Lye
More: Doom Metal, Gigs, Cathedral