Built as a cloth hall and dating back to 1779, there are few finer settings for a gig in the UK than The Piece Hall in Halifax. The Grade I listed venue, which was reopened after a multi-million-pound investment in 2017, sees an eclectic range of shows during summer 2026. Tonight, it’s the turn of Swedes Opeth to play the location, their only UK show of the year. They follow Gary Numan and precede the likes of Jimmy Eat World, Scissor Sisters and Hollywood Vampires as part of the summer season in the West Yorkshire city.
Opeth – Paradise Lost – Katatonia
The Piece Hall, Halifax – 1 August 2026
Words And Photography: Paul Hutchings
With local heroes Paradise Lost and fellow Swedes Katatonia adding suitably tempered support, the city is alive with visitors, clad in black and suitably refreshed via the many fine hostelries in the centre.
Opeth
Opeth have been playing sporadic dates across Europe as part of their final run supporting their 2024 album, The Last Will And Testament. Over 35 years into their journey, they are finally reaping the rewards with headline shows that are pulling in appreciative audiences.
They have played Pompeii, Bologna and Hellfest in this short run, and tonight they demonstrate why they have become a band who now achieve house-full signs at most shows.
It is a powerful set, largely drawn from their last two albums as well as a selection of predominantly earlier releases. We straddle the run from Still Life to Heritage with Godhead’s Lament, The Drapery Falls and Hex Omega amongst brilliantly delivered tracks.
It is almost 100% changed since their UK shows in 2025, with only closer Deliverance and the three songs from The Last Will And Testament retained.
Opeth are in phenomenal form, racing through their 90-minute set. There are huge cheers when the band arrive, storming into §1, the first of two from the last release.
Superbly paced, there is time for the usual banter and dry wit of Mikael Åkerfeldt, who, as always, deals with the customary heckles in majestic style. The band are a seriously good unit. Drummer Waltteri Väyrynen, a former custodian of the drum stool with Paradise Lost, continues to make the intricate drum patterns look easy, whilst Martin Mendez, now coming up to 30 years with the band, is as assured as ever.
The band’s sound has evolved, with the backing vocals of guitarist Fredrik Åkesson and keyboardist Joakim Svalberg adding depth to the band’s sound.
As ever, it’s Åkerfeldt who leads, part jester, part conductor, and total legend. He switches back to the death growls that the band had jettisoned for a period of their music, and the overall performance is as good as I have ever seen.
Windowpane slows the pace, providing some calm amidst the raging Progressive Metal that makes the band so unique. Hammond organ matches with blast beats is not something that any other band can do with such style.
Inevitably, it is Deliverance that brings the evening to a dramatic climax. The 14-minute exploration never ceases to amaze, and tonight it is a magnificent finale to a set that for an hour and a half transports everyone present to another dimension.
Paradise Lost
History suggests that Paradise Lost have not played their hometown many times since their formation in 1988. They are in a fine run of form, with 2025’s Ascension surely amongst their best albums of all time.
Fresh from a show at Wacken the night before, current drummer Jeff Singer is now firmly ensconced in the position that has been the only point of change through their career. Nick Holmes is as dry as ever, in fine form throughout the hour-long set.
They play a fine selection of tracks spanning more recent works, although a dip into Draconian Times, Icon, Shades Of God and One Second satisfies the older fans. The Enemy, As I Die and Hallowed Land all hit the mark, with recent tracks sounding huge.
With Gregor Mackintosh holding down all the lead work, it is left to Aaron Aedy and Steve Edmondson to anchor the engine, which they have no problem doing once more.
Even their cover of Bronski Beat’s Smalltown Boy goes down a storm! Now more consistent than they have been for years, this is a triumphant homecoming which receives the huge ovation one would have hoped they would get.
Katatonia
Better suited to darkened venues, the sun is still shining brightly when Katatonia hit the stage. Last seen on these shores in December 2025, the Swedes are now comfortably engaged in life after Anders Nystrom and indeed, look a happier unit all round.
There were smiles on stage in Bristol when I covered them for MetalTalk, and tonight they are just as happy. It is a joy to see a band whose trade is melancholy enjoying their performance.
Older songs mix with newer material, and Jonas Renske leads with a typically understated performance.
A perfect start to the evening, Katatonia are, like the other bands, in imperious form, and finish with an upbeat version of My Twin on a night of perfection.
