LEPROUS
It’s a sunny evening in Norway, two days before the release of their seventh studio album, Aphelion, and Leprous are performing the entire record live from a theatre in their home town of Notodden. It’s not the first time that Leprous have performed here this year, nor is it their first full album show, but tonight is the first of two special events that are being broadcast to fans around the world via livestream. A small crowd, including Prog, are also here to watch in person.
Leprous are known for their fearless songwriting, but it’s a brave move to promote a new album by presenting it live and raw before the fans have even heard the studio version. However, it’s obvious from the moment the band set foot on stage, and the opening chimes of Running Low ring out from guitarist/ keyboardist Tor Oddmund Suhrke, that the songs actually work really well in this setting. Each one showcases Einar Solberg’s broad vocal range and techniques as well as Baard Kolstad’s powerful drumming, and there’s also a cinematic string section from cellist Raphael Weinroth-Browne, who makes a virtual appearance.