The Morning After: BARONESS

WHO: BARONESS

WHERE: MANCHESTER MOHO

HOW’S THE HEAD/NECK/VOICE?: Fuzzy, stiff and red raw from bellowing out each titanic chorus.

THE VIBE: …is sweaty. Moho is packed with punters ranging from bespectacled beardy mountain men to girls in little hot pants and Atticus t-shirts all eagerly gathered together to witness what is sure to be John Baizley and co.’s last ever club tour before they explode like a supernova. Tonight feels like the beginning of a new era for Savannah, Georgia’s favourite sons.

THE RIFFS: …are absolutely monolithic! The power of Baroness’ riffage is omnipresent, the vocal work of Baizley and Peter Adams is more refined and dynamic. ‘Eula’ and ‘The Line Between’ inspire some serious crowd participation which is either testament to the strength of the material that isn’t officially released till next week or the fans’ enthusiasm for internet downloading (…and we hope it isn’t the latter). Either way, the new material shines brightly in the live arena with ‘Take My Bones Away’ gaining a rapturous response. As usual the lighting is modest and corresponds with the material being played.

THE HANGOVER: Barely registered considering the hypnotic nature of Baroness’ tunes not to mention the venue being rammed meaning that bar visits would have been like using a toothpick to steer a canoe though a swamp.

SETLIST

Intro

A Horse Called Golgotha

March To The Sea

Steel That Sleeps The Eye

Swollen And Halo

The Gnashing

Take My Bones Away

Ogeechee Hymnal

Eula

Cocainium

Dandruff

The Sweetest Curse

Isak

—Encore—

Jake Leg

Grad

Words: Ross Baker

Pics: Gobinder Jhitta