LIVE: LEPROUS – September 17, 2024
Venue: The Crofoot
City: Pontiac, MI
Dates: September 17, 2024
Review and Photographs by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur (https://www.toddstarphotography.com)
On the road spreading the latest gospel that is Melodies Of Atonement, Leprous and their tour landed at Pontiac, MI’s The Crofoot. After sets from openers Nighdrator and locals Annex Void, the stage was quickly changed over and Leprous made their way to the stage without much pomp and circumstance. From the first note to the last, these guys let the music and their catalog do the talking (for the most part). Pulling from most of their catalog, the band paid homage to their legacy and rewarded their long-time fans with songs as far back as 2011’s Bilateral. Pulling from the latest release, the band offered up six new tracks in the set, including set opener “Silently Walking Alone.” From those first moments and songs, drummer Baard Kolstad and bassist Simen Børven perfectly anchored the band and set. Keeping the crowd on its toes, the band sandwiched a song or two throughout the set with newer material, letting the musical landscape ebb and flow between new and old. The dual guitar approach from co-founder Tor Oddmund Suhrke and Robin Ognedal gave the various songs in the set punch and layers that kept things balanced sonically. Other tracks from the Melodies Of Atonement release such as “Like A Sunken Ship,” “Atonement,” and “My Specter” were plugged in between band classics like “Illuminate,” “Out Of Here,” and set closer “Restless.” There was dialog between singer / keyboardist / cofounder Einar Solberg and the crowd was a nice touch adding to the overall texture of the show, whether he was introducing material, band members – with an early nod to touring keyboardist Harrison White, or referencing prior shows in Michigan. There is something to be said about spreading your musical wings and letting yourself venture into and absorb new material. I am so glad I did, as I find myself a new fan of Leprous and have been enjoying diving into the bands catalog after witnessing this show.
SETLIST: Silently Walking Alone – The Price – Illuminate – My Specter – Forced Entry – Like a Sunken Ship – Out of Here – Unfree My Soul – Below – Faceless – Slave – From the Flame – Atonement – The Sky Is Red – Restless
LEPROUS LINKS:
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Category: Live Reviews, Photo Galleries