Photo – tnddrummer_photography for www.overdrive.ie
Polish support act Dom Zły set the tone with their blistering blend of hardcore punk and blackened post-metal. Their raw energy and searing aggression ensured the audience was sufficiently warmed up, their set a storm of intensity that left no soul unshaken.
Dom Zły Photo – tnddrummer_photography for www.overdrive.ie
But it was Zeal & Ardor’s arrival that sent the venue into a frenzy. Opening with the ominous “The Bird, the Lion and the Wildkin,” the band wasted no time in immersing the audience in their eerie, genre-defying sound. The track’s hypnotic chants and crushing heaviness set the stage for what would be an unforgettable night.
Manuel Gagneux’s presence was both commanding and enigmatic. Effortlessly shifting between hauntingly soulful melodies and visceral screams, he led the charge through an exhilarating set. “Götterdämmerung” hit like a sledgehammer, its industrial-blackened riffage sending waves of movement through the packed crowd, while “Ship on Fire” saw fists raised in unison, the chant-like vocals transforming the room into a ritualistic gathering.
The sheer dynamic range of the set was staggering. “Gravedigger’s Chant” washed over the room with its eerie gospel-infused blues, contrasting beautifully with the pummeling ferocity of “Fend You Off.” “Blood in the River” was another standout, its spiritual urgency and relentless groove sending the audience into a frenzied singalong. The emotive “Run” carried an almost meditative weight, showcasing Gagneux’s remarkable ability to blend beauty with brutality.
Photo – tnddrummer_photography for www.overdrive.ie
Closing the main set with “Death to the Holy” and the chillingly spiritual, “Devil Is Fine,” Zeal & Ardor left the stage to deafening roars, only to return moments later for an encore that pushed the night into overdrive. “Trust No One” and “At the Seams” turned the venue into a cauldron of chaos, while “Clawing Out” ensured that every last ounce of energy was spent in a cathartic, feverish climax.
Zeal & Ardor’s live performance is not just a concert—it’s an experience. A melding of pain and power, oppression and defiance, their show at The Academy was nothing short of a revelation, a sermon in sound that will linger in the minds of those lucky enough to bear witness.
Keep an eye on the Overdrive YouTube channel for an interview with Manuel about the bands latest album, touring with Heilung, headlining London’s Desert Fest and much more. Subscribe via this link.
View this post on Instagram
Words – Oran O’Beirne
Photos – Stephen Maloney of @tnddrummer_photography
www.overdrive.ie
