Verbal Delirium

December 17, 2017 - 't Blok, Nieuwerkerk a/d IJssel (NL)


After a performance on Prog Power Europe a few years ago, Verbal Delirium came back to Holland for a concert in the always lovely 't Blok in Nieuwerkerk a/d IJssel. The venue was packed with progressive rock lovers and the expectations were high. And they were not disappointed, Verbal Delirium delivered big time!
 

X
Jargon
The band had to fly from Athens (Greece) and they could only bring their guitars so they had to use the equipment of 't Blok and extra gear provided by Ton Vermeij and Mr Bowler music agency. It all worked out nicely and after a soundcheck the band was ready to rock. I saw the band earlier in 2017 in London where they blew the other bands of stage but after that gig, in fact two weeks before they would come to Holland, the keyboard player left. No problem because singer Jargon took over the keys and old band member Nikitas Kissonas (of Methexis fame - his wonderful solo project) joined on guitar.

From the first bars of Ervelet/ So Close & Yet So Far Away the crowd could hear that this worked fantastically. The band sounded great (thanks to sound engineer Richard Baas) and in my humble opinion better than when I saw them in England. More dynamic and even more intense. The two guitar players (Big) George Kyriakidis (7 string guitar) and the earlier mentioned Nikitas Kissonas complemented each other as if they had been doing this for many years. Drummer Will Bow and bassist George Pagidas laid down a foundation on which the band could shine. Singer Jargon did an amazing job switching between piano and other keyboards and still giving his lyrics the emotion he is known for. The backing vocals by Nikkitas gave the songs an extra dimension. Just
X
Nikitas Kissonas
before the break the band played two songs from Nikitas solo project Methexis. On that album the vocals were done by one of the best voices in prog. Namely Joe Payne, the former The Enid front man. Nikitas did it on his own way and what a great performance he did.

After the break Verbal Delirium came back with another 5 lengthy songs and again from the first seconds the crowd was totally in it! At the end of this set the band played Fear and that is absolutely one of the most favorite songs of their fans. The audience applauded and cheered loudly after each song, but this one was even welcomed by cheering. Of course the band had to do an encore and one of the songs - The Sorrowed Man - was a tribute to singer Warren Dale (Nevermore) who recently died.

The crowd kept cheering and applauding after the gig and were happy to have their hands in the air when photos were taken from the stage. Of course all the band members were very willing to talk to their fans and signing albums. Good for them, they sold a lot of merchandise! Their fantastic manager Christine Maragou was very busy selling all the stuff with the help of Will Bow's lovely wife. This was an amazing gig by an amazing band. They deserve much bigger venues, but again the great guys of 't Blok got them already. Can't wait to see them in Holland again as soon as possible.

Arne van Os van den Abeelen (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen)


Live video
recordings

   Henri & Roel Strik

X
Ervelet/So Close & Yet So Far Away (6:50)
X
The Origin Of Blame/Prey's Prayer (10:51)
X
Close To You Live (6:27)

Setlist Verbal Delirium:

Set 1
Ervelet / So Close & Yet So Far Away
The Scene Remains
Lullaby
Misleading Path
Losing Game
Sudden Winter
The Origin Of Blame (Methexis)
Prey's Prayer (Methexis)
Set 2
Close To You
Disintegration
The Decayed Reflection
Fear
Dancing Generation
Encore:
Images From A Grey World
Warrel Dane Tribute (Nevermore The Sorrowed Man)



Pictures Verbal Delirium by Arthur Haggenburg

>>> Click here to view all pics on one page.

Click on the picture to enlarge.

X X X X
X X X X
X X X X
X X X X
X X X X
X X X X
X X X X

Line up Verbal Delirium:

(left to right)
Jargon:
keyboards ,vocals
George Pagidas:
bass
Wil Bow:
drums:
George Kyriakidis:
guitars
Nikitas Kissonas:
guitar-2nd vocals
X





All Rights Reserved Background Magazine 2017