Main support LACRIMAS PROFUNDERE who’s name means ‘to shed tears’, so Wiki tells me, a little self deprecation is good for a Goth band, fortunately for us it’s not a reflection on their musical ability.

As for their music the band roll from one melodic song of woe to the next with frontman Rob Vitacca’s rumbling baritone second only to that of Andrew Eldritch of which I’m sure that is no coincidence.

The rest of band seem a bit subdued throughout the set, perhaps put into some sort of trace by Vitacca’s vocals, or more likely they are not overly challenged by the mid tempo Goth Rock, you wont find any furious Gus G style solo’s here!

After a feet shuffling 30 minute changeover the Lost Boys song ‘Cry Little Sister’ announced the eventual arrival of THE 69 EYES.

The first time I saw them was supporting WITHIN TEMPTATION in 2007, back then I wouldn’t have thought they could pull in a three hundred plus crowd off their own back although I was preoccupied with the thought of Sharon Del Adel’s assets to make a fair assessment at the time.

Anyway, kicking off with the opening track off their latest album ‘Back in Blood’ got the show off to an energetic start, then straight into the anthemic ‘Never Say Die’ they soon had even the most forlorn of Gothy types tapping their foot, whist the less unreserved in the crowd were singing along.

The third song of the night ‘The Good, The Bad and the Undead’ another off their latest album and another lesson in glam metal sleazy guitar riffs was to be had whilst frontman Jyrki 69 showing off his best Vince Neil style swagger.

This is possibly the first time I can bemoan not having hear enough from their latest album! Normally I like many others complain vigorously about sets filled with new material when all we want is something from way back when, but this band has successfully reinvented the wheel and come out with some of their strongest material to date.

With enough over the top rock endings to rival a KISS show they are definitely a fun and easy likeable band but lack the edge required for their Goth lineage, so when they pull ‘Waste the Dawn’ out the bag, a song so drenched in its own dark depressing atmosphere you think you’ve been transported to a PARADISE LOST gig, it pretty much all falls into place.

Their are more than a few crowd pleasers in their back catalogue and they do a good job of bringing the show to an end with a barrage of classics ‘Perfect Skin’ and ‘Dead Girls are Easy’ are stand out favorites. After a sort respite their back on stage for a three song encore, ending the night on a high with ‘Lost Boys’.

After tonight’s performance I expect the next time I see THE 69 EYES it will be in front of eight hundred people but one thing is for sure, it’s a long way to the top if you want to Goth N’ Roll.

THE 69 EYES Setlist: Back in Blood / Never Say Die / The Good, The Bad and the Undead / Dance d’Amour / Lips of Blood / Gothic Girl / Susperia Snow White / The Chair / Kiss Me Undead / Wasting The Dawn / Feel Berlin / Hunger / Perfect Skin / Dead Girls Are Easy / Devils / Framed In Blood / Brandon Lee / Lost Boys

Review by Alex Shaw