Live Review: Baroness - Marble Factory, Bristol
21st November 2024
Support: Graveyard, Pallbearer
Words: Roger Leclerc
Photos: Julian Tanner
The Marble Factory in Bristol hosted a night of genre-defying heavy music as Pallbearer, Graveyard, and Baroness took the stage. With a bill spanning doom, bluesy psychedelia, and progressive sludge, it was a lineup sure to appeal to a wide spectrum of fans. The night delivered on all counts, with standout performances from each band and a packed crowd to match the energy.
Opening the evening, Pallbearer brought their brand of expansive, melancholic doom metal to the Bristolian masses. The Arkansas quartet opened with ‘Silver Wings’, a sprawling epic that was momentarily interrupted by technical difficulties from Brett Campbell’s rig. Despite the hiccup, the band handled the pause with professionalism, and eventually the song hit just as hard.
Tracks like ‘Signals’ and ‘With Disease’ demonstrated Pallbearer’s signature mix of mournful melodies and crushing riffs, while closer ‘Worlds Apart’ left the audience enraptured. Though their set was shorter, Pallbearer’s atmospheric sound left a significant mark on the evening.
Swedish rockers Graveyard followed with a fiery, blues-infused set that brought the energy level up several notches. Opening with ‘Twice’, the band wasted no time diving into their groove-heavy sound. Joakim Nilsson’s soulful vocals and electrifying guitar work shone throughout, particularly on fan favourites like ‘Hisingen Blues’ and ‘Cold Love’.
The band’s ability to weave seamlessly between blistering tracks like ‘Goliath’ and slower, haunting numbers like ‘Slow Motion Countdown’ highlighted their dynamic range. The crowd erupted during ‘Uncomfortably Numb’ and ‘The Siren’ with Graveyard commanding the stage like seasoned headliners.
By the time Baroness took the stage, the Marble Factory was brimming with anticipation. The band launched straight into ‘Last Word’, from their latest album ‘Stone’, and immediately had the crowd in their grasp. The setlist was a journey through their discography, with ‘Under the Wheel’ and ‘March to the Sea’ offering anthemic choruses, while ‘Beneath the Rose’ highlighted their ability to craft intricate, emotive soundscapes.
One of the most striking moments came during ‘If I Have to Wake Up (Would You Stop the Rain?) / Fugue’ where the band leaned into their more experimental side. The dual vocals of John Baizley and Gina Gleason were nothing short of spectacular, their harmonies adding depth to the band’s already rich sonic palette.
The final run of ‘Take My Bones Away’ brought the set to a triumphant close, with the crowd roaring in approval. Baroness proved once again why they’re one of the most compelling bands in heavy music, blending raw power with artistic finesse.
Photo Credit: Julian Tanner
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