Live Review: Cult of Luna at The Electric Ballroom, London (29/11/19)

It’s a club night at the Electric Ballroom in London tonight, so Cult of Luna are on stage at the ungodly time of 8:10pm. Not that anyone seems to have not got the memo of the earlier stage time as the Ballroom is absolutely heaving and you can cut the excited atmosphere with a knife.

A couple of minutes late from the advertised time, the lights go down and it is finally time for one of the world’s best post-metal bands to take to the stage.

Being the first time I have ever seen Cult of Luna live, the question mark was always there in regards to how their music would sound live. On record it’s some of the best music made, you only need to hear the latest album, A Dawn to Fear to understand that.

All fears dissipate the moment the 6-piece kicked into The Silent Man, the opening track off A Dawn to Fear. It is incredible sounding, the band wreathed in shadows while bursts of light erupt towards the masses watching in appreciation. Heavy is one thing but the intricacies of their music is as clear as anything. Without a shadow of a doubt, Cult of Luna are as impressive live as they are on record.

Time is factor tonight though and considering the band’s taste for lengthy epics, it’s no surprise that we only get 9 tracks overall. Four of which come from the new album. Nightwalkers, The Fall and the highlight of the entire show, Lights on the Hill. Wow, just wow.

If I had one complaint, and it’s a real nit-pick, it’s that this show really should have taken place at a bigger venue. The size of the crowd suggests they could have easily filled out Shepherd’s Bush or the Forum and then it might have been easier to be immersed in the music. Cult of Luna music is music you want to lose yourself in and that’s pretty difficult when every 2 seconds someone wants to get by or a group nearby just won’t stop talking all the way through the set!

Annoying but not Cult of Luna’s fault, who could do no wrong tonight. Simply put, I can’t wait to see them again!