Two of rock music’s giants stormed into the Piece Hall in Halifax to give the summer series of concerts at the venue a heavier tone.

For anyone who has yet to witness a rock concert in all its glory, the initial sight of seeing everyone dressed mostly in black with many bearing an artful tattoo might seem a daunting proposition, though for those in the know, rock music isn’t just a choice of music; this is a choice of lifestyle.

Paradise Lost were always going to be on a roll opening up for Opeth: the Yorkshire band were playing in front of a home crowd, add to that the celebration of Yorkshire Day, and the recipe for success was almost guaranteed.

Named after John Milton’s 1667 epic poem, many of Paradise Lost's tracks performed in their one-hour set tonight were written just down the road at Dean Clough and Crossley Mills.

For over thirty years the Yorkshire band have delivered some of the darkest and most brooding rock songs in the genre, which felt particularly suited to the historic confines of the Piece Hall.

One Second reached every corner of the venue, whilst Hallowed Land featured a grand, mournful mood, heavy guitar riffs, and a large, anthemic chorus that cemented the band's crown as masters of darkness. As homecoming gigs go, tonight had been an unforgettable success.

With Opeth playing their only British gig this year in Halifax, the booking was a major win for the organisers of the summer concert series and the venue, as well as for the local economy – the sold-out show brought fans to Halifax from across the UK and four other continents.

Opeth's music is a distinctive combination of heavy death metal, 1970s progressive rock, and acoustic folk melodies. Led by Mikael Åkerfeldt, the Swedish band is famous for long, winding songs that shift smoothly from brutal growls and crushing electric guitar riffs to soft, sorrowful acoustic passages and clean singing.

For almost three decades, they have remained unwavering in their commitment to pure, unfiltered metal, harnessing the raw power that only three musicians can create when they crank up the volume.

There's a deceptive simplicity to their sound, yet every riff lands with arena-sized force. With only ten songs to represent a remarkable ten-album catalogue, every selection feels monumental—a towering anthem that captures the passion, power and enduring appeal that has made metal such a deeply personal force for generations of fans.

Like a far heavier version of the rock band Rush, Opeth are a band that you either love or dislike. There are no half-measures.

As the band concluded with Deliverance, the thirteen-minute song showcased their complex song structures and aggressive stance on an evening when rock music packed another powerful punch.