It’s the time of year that labels fill some gaps with live albums but we are told that this is not just another typical one. The congregation was gathered in this holy place on the winter solstice 23rd Dec 2022 and it was to be the band’s last show with drummer Micha Haring and a chance for them to play an extensive set of songs after having been curtailed from touring due to that well-documented virus.

Having seen Dool at their strangest ever show, a short one at a Swiss restaurant / bar in Central London back in 2017; this one couldn’t be more different. Catching the Dutch group surrounded by religious iconography, which is more than fitting for songs such as ‘Be Your Sins’ it’s a whopping 75 minute 12 track rite of communion. There’s plenty of warmth in it too despite the chill that was no doubt in the air. The crowd sound reverential between songs, proffering smatterings of polite applause. Bass and heft is thick and brash, the recording capturing the bottom end perfectly along with the graceful vocal performance from Raven van Dorst. There’s also plenty of sparkle from the twin guitars which must have been close to putting the crowd lucky enough to be there close to rapture.

For those that know the material from the two albums thus far along with the couple of singles, we get the bulk of the group’s discography here and each and every song comes back to greet like an old friend. Damn, after I played this the once, they kept going round in my head for a few days. That just goes to show the strength of the material. The Wiccan rooted caress of ‘Summerland’ itself is the anchor sprawling deliciously over a ten-minute running time. Languidly building with dulcet guitars it gently forms as the vocals soar, no doubt invading the very top of the domed roof of the impressive looking venue. The melodicism is nothing short of gorgeous, never more so as the recognisable chords of Killing Joke classic ‘Love Like Blood’ delicately seep out like mist from the pulpit.

Entrancing and spellbinding, despite the atmosphere of actually being at a show and listening to it are never going to be the same this one does a pretty good job of capturing it all. It’s also going to provide a perfect stop-gap until the next chapter which we are told is going to come in Spring next year in the form of album number three. Perhaps next time the band visit our capital city they can set their sights to The Union Chapel, a much more fitting venue than the last one. Until then I’ll be patiently waiting.

(8/10 Pete Woods)

https://www.facebook.com/allthosewhowanderaredool

https://dool-nl.bandcamp.com/album/visions-of-summerland-live-at-arminius-church-rotterdam