Monday, 27 April 2026

Hypocrisy, Abbath, Vreid & Vomitory - Stadsgehoorzaal Leiden, 26 April 2026


Outside it was sunny and orange due to king's night. So I decided to go inside with 1000 likeminded souls all dressed in black. Inside meant into the Stadsgehoorzaal in Leiden, which is a beautiful venue. Last time I was there was November 1983 when Michael Schenker played Leiden. Time flies when you bang your head. Tonight the package was extreme metal, but in various styles. So after warming up at Lazarus and than because of the sun the Duke, I was ready for metal at 18:40.


Vomitory opened the evening and they play Death Metal. They did so pretty well and went down fine with the crowd. For me a bit of variation would have been welcome, but while saying that it is hard to keep your neck still during their songs.


Vreid from Norway were for me the main reason to attend. I don't have their back discography, but loved their 2026 album The Skies Turn Black. They played the Ozzy dedicated title track and the epic opener From These Woods. The rest of their set was just as good and what a great band they turned out to be. The only band I wanted to see from a bit closer and I loved their way too short set from start to finish.  


Abbath was in good form today and so was his band. Last time I saw him in Nobel, he was talking lots more. but today the focus was on the music. A trip through his solo albums with some Immortal thrown in. I do not have any of his music, but this sounded very fine.


Hypocrisy headlined and they are a tight metal machine. Last time I saw them, was during my pedal to the metal bicycle tour across The Netherlands. Than on a weekday in festival season de Effenaar was half full at best. Seeing a busy hall tonight made it all even better and they were the just headliners to me. Even if not playing my favourite Hypocrisy song (Let the Knife do the Talking) the set was good ending with the inevitable Roswell 47. This ended one fine evening with good company in a beautiful place. Next Sanctuary/Martyr on Friday.




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