On a cold Monday night, the Hard Club became the beating heart of progressive music in Portugal. Thanks to Free Music Events, three bands – Royal Sorrow, Gåte, and Leprous – turned the Porto venue into a place of catharsis, beauty, and pure musicianship. What could have been a regular concert became an emotional journey through the many faces of modern progressive music.
For Royal Sorrow, this was a debut long in the making. After a cancelled show in Lisbon the night before, due to transportation issues, their first appearance in Portugal carried the energy of both relief and determination, and it showed from the very first song, “Release Your Shadow”. Their music blended heavy, intricate riffs with shifting moods and a remarkable vocal range that danced between delicate cleans and primal screams.
By the time “Evergreen” began, the room was already theirs. The bassist opened the track on keys before switching back to his instrument, introducing an industrial edge that gave the song unexpected depth. The chemistry between the four members was undeniable. Their presence radiated urgency and joy during the entire concert.
They closed with “Innerdeeps”, which had premiered just hours before the show. The track captured everything that makes Royal Sorrow special: an elegant balance between aggression and emotion, melody and chaos. When the final note faded, the applause was thunderous. It was a debut that felt less like an introduction and more like a statement.
Setlist: Release Your Shadow / Evergreen / Samsara / Metrograve / Give In / Innerdeeps
Then came Gåte, and with them, a storm. Their entrance was explosive: “Skarvane” and “Svarteboka” hit with cinematic force, building into a crescendo that left no one untouched. The band’s light show was mesmerising, a perfect visual counterpart to their mystical, genre-bending sound that merges Nordic folklore with progressive ferocity.
Before “Oskorsreia”, the vocalist shared a heartfelt story: part of her family has Portuguese roots. That brief moment of connection seemed to ignite something within her. From that song onward, she was completely unleashed, dancing, contorting, and channelling emotion through every movement.
At one point, the stage erupted into creative chaos. Band members swapped instruments mid-song, and the result was spellbinding, a ritual of sound where structure gave way to pure instinct.
When the first notes of “Ulveham” rang out, the crowd erupted in recognition, clapping in perfect rhythm as the song’s haunting melody filled the room. They closed with “Bannlyst”, which began like a folk celebration in a northern tavern and ended in something mysterious and unearthly, a reflection of Gåte’s unique power to blend the familiar with the transcendent.
By the end, one thing was clear: this was no mere concert. It was an awakening, a sensory and spiritual experience that blurred the line between artist and audience. Impossible to describe in words. Only those who were there will know what actually happened.
Setlist: Skarvane / Svarteboka / Oskorsreia / Jomfruva Ingebjør / Førnesbrunen / Sannsiger / Ulveham / Bannlyst
When Leprous finally took the stage, the energy inside Hard Club reached fever pitch. Few bands manage to blend emotional intensity and technical perfection as seamlessly as they do. From the opening moments of “Silently Walking Alone”, it was clear the audience was in the presence of a group operating on a completely different level.
“Illuminate” and “Nighttime Disguise” followed, both received with ecstatic applause. Between songs, Einar Solberg charmed the crowd with his self-deprecating humour, revealing the very human side of one of progressive metal’s most formidable frontmen. His voice, however, was otherworldly, a weapon of both fragility and strength, expanding far beyond what seems humanly possible.
A surprise highlight came mid-set: an unexpected yet brilliant cover of “Take On Me” by fellow Norwegians A-ha. What could have been a gimmick turned into something magical. The song reshaped into Leprous’ language of tension and texture, until the entire crowd joined in the chorus in perfect unison.
As the set unfolded, it became a showcase of versatility and emotional depth: the explosive “The Price”, and the slow-burning beauty of “Like a Sunken Ship”. Later, Einar gave the audience a choice: “Passing” or “Forced Entry”. The overwhelming roar for the latter left no doubt, and the ensuing performance was a masterclass in power and precision.
For the final song, the choice was “Atonement” where six musicians moving as one, channelling energy and emotion with surgical precision, gave us an unforgettable ending. It was the kind of ending that leaves the room in silence before the applause erupts, the collective realisation that something extraordinary has just happened.
Setlist: Silently Walking Alone / Illuminate / Nighttime Disguise / Moon / Below / Take On Me / Observe The Train / Starlight / The Price / Like a Sunken Ship / Forced Entry / From the Flame / Slave / Encore: Atonement / The Sky Is Red
Each band brought its own universe: Royal Sorrow with their raw emotion, Gåte with their mystic energy, and Leprous with their breathtaking mastery. Together, they created a magical night, a perfect progression from darkness to light, from chaos to clarity.
Credit must go to Free Music Events, who continue to raise the standard for live music in Portugal, blending professionalism with genuine passion for artistry. On this night, the Hard Club didn’t just host a concert; it hosted an awakening.
Special thanks to Free Music Events.
Photo: Rita Mota
Text: Cátia Sousa
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