Live Review: Insomnium at Heaven, London (14/01/25)

Nothing makes January feel that little bit darker then a big helping of melancholic melodeath. Insomnium are in town, London to be specific, on the first date of a massive European tour that sees the iconic Finnish metal band celebrate their 2014 album ‘Shadows of the Dying Sun’.

Not only will fans be treated to songs that have never been played live, but the original album line-up is on stage again, with both Ville Friman and Markus Vanhala on guitars.

It’s an album in full night and Heaven is playing host to this event. A fantastic venue as far as sound goes, but that’s about all that is positive about this place. It’s a very popular nightclub most of the time, and the last time I was here (Alcest – March 2020), COVID was running rampant around the world, and this country (UK) was about to go into lockdown.

I didn’t like it then, and I don’t like it now. Getting in is an absolute nightmare, and come 8pm, 10 minutes after support band Omnium Gatherum have started, the queue to get in is still extensive. Bear in mind, doors were 7pm too. That’s bad, really bad, so unfortunately, I did not get to see Omnium Gatherum celebrating their album ‘Beyond’ and playing it in full.

Thankfully, once in and ready for Insomnium, it’s a great venue. Even when you stand at the back, you can have a decent view as the stage is raised, and the sound is awesome. Everything sounds so clear and clean, even some technical issues at the start, can’t dampen the wave of excitement that ripples through the crowd as the band kick into an album that is highly revered.

Shadows of the Dying Sun is a staggeringly good release, showcasing the best of Insomnium, but from an invigorated song writing stance. Massive melodic riffs backed up by hefty percussion, and vocals that command attentions. It is one of the most consistently brilliant releases from the band, and that is showcased with aplomb within the walls of Heaven.

It’s a beginning to end showing of the album, and the bright intensity of their melancholic ways is felt from the start with a trio of wonderful efforts. The Primeval Dark, While We Sleep, and Revelation. The middle of those three is one of my favourites of the night, sounding grander than ever before, but that’s ‘par for the course’ here. Insomnium play with focus and considering some of these tracks have never been aired, or it has been a while, it’s understandable why things feel serious.

That being said, they’re all smiles and in between songs, having some fun with Niilo constantly trying to get the crowd to guess what is coming up next, as if it is a mystery.

This is Shadows of the Dying Sun and the likes of Lose to Night and Collapsing Words have never been played live. A first for London, and an experience that is gratefully received. They sound great, but how about Black Heart Rebellion and The River? Immense. As is the lavish sound of The Promethean Song and the tome that is the title track.

That might be the final track on the album, but Insomnium aren’t done yet though, digging into the Limited-Edition Bonus Track version and unveiling Out to the Sea, which is a very nice surprise.

An incredible show is then wrapped up with two Insomnium favourites from elsewhere, namely Lilian from Anno 1696 and One for Sorrow, from the album of the same name.

It might be January, it might be cold, it might be miserable in London in general, but for those who were in Heaven for this show, it’s smiles all round. Insomnium never disappoint, and this was another excellent show from the masters of melancholic melodeath.