Opeth, The Omnific @ Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide 22/11/2025
It definitely felt like an eternity ago when this tour was originally announced but Adelaide finally got its moment. Kudos to the promoters for have the vision to bring Opeth to Australia because this was an extraordinary of biblical proportions. The anticipation was that strong that even well before the doors opened the line went down Hindley Street, wrapped around the corner and well down Morphett Street. With the full house sign luminated this was definitely Saturday’s hot ticket with demand that strong they probably could have sold a second show no problem.
The Omnific from Melbourne rock city were impressive winning plenty of hearts and minds opening proceedings in scintillating fashion. Tagged as progressive metal they do offer something quite unique with two bass players and a drummer. For the next forty five minutes it was a brute intensity and aural onslaught that was equally captivating and enthralling. Having made the nine hour drive from Melbourne the band looked pumped to be there. Dynamo drummer Jerome Lematua has plenty of charisma and celebrated each song like it was their last. Full of personality with trademark fruit salad board shorts and improvised dance moves that endeared himself to the Adelaide crowd. Fountainhead was a stand out in their set.
Next it was the mighty Opeth. It was like they brought an arena production and squeezed that in to the imitate surrounds of Hindley Street Music Hall. It was unusual for this type of show to see the main floor occupied by seats being more of a theatre sit down vibe keeping it civilised for the most part. Nevertheless, it was an excitable crowd that had been waiting a long time for this (last visit 2019 at Thebarton Theatre) and they were more than rewarded for their patience. This tour was very much about the new album The Last Will And Testament so there was an element of excitement to see how that would unfold given it is a concept album designed to taken in as a whole.
The way the show was constructed and put together with considerable thought given to the set list was particularly well done. It really did feel like a complete experience and that if you stepped away for a minute that you may miss an important part of the story. The set list consisted of eleven incredible songs that spanned two hours delivered with such precision. The band consisting of Mikael Åkerfeldt (vocals/ guitar), Martín Méndez (bass), Fredrik Åkesson (guitar), Waltteri Väyrynen (drums) and Joakim Svalberg (keyboards) are an almighty formidable unit.
The way the visuals connected with music and the way the lighting was able to enhance the mood added to the experience. The thunderous opener §1 was incredible making the statement “Opeth are here!” Classics Masters Apprentices and The Leper Affinity got heads nodding in approval with the crowd yelling in appreciation. Mikael Åkerfeldt was all personality, with a tad of sarcasm, encouraging the crowd to heckle (after a few drinks) and participate and just “don’t sit there like c***s” adding that it wasn’t just about the money but being here to promote the new album.
§7 was a subtle twist followed by The Devil’s Orchard which was interestingly followed by the comment from Mikael that it’s “probably more glamourous watch Opeth than actually being in Opeth”. To Rid The Disease was followed by a “nasty” tune in The Grand Conjuration to which Mikael spoke of the fan reaction to signing to American label Roadrunner as “selling out”. Upping the ante on §3 the crowd was given the option of “drinks or songs” with “songs” clearing winning out. There was a teaser of Eternal Rains Will Come stopping part way to take up Demon Of The Fall followed by Ghost of Perdition feeling like a moment of triumph. When you’re that good you don’t need an encore but they returning playing the imposing and blistering Deliverance reaffirming the statement “we are Opeth” and leaving the stage smouldering. Epic.
Live Review By Rob Lyon