It started with one show, then another, than another. . Poisonblack decided to revive the ghost to celebrate their well known ‘Escapextacy’ album’s 20 year anniversary including both vocalists JP Leppäluoto and Ville Laihiala as well as the original lineup of the band. Not only did they keep adding dates onto this revival, they decided to do a second round and even so, all dates have been sold out, with many fanatics coming from abroad to soak up as much as the nostalgia as they can. I attended and shot their gig at Olympia in Tampere, Finland but was also at their second Helsinki gig in On The Rocks a few days later.

To start off, I never thought I’d get to see this band live. Specially performing this album which had a consistent appearance in my (and probably many other’s) teenage soundtrack. The first times I experienced hearing JP Leppäluoto and Ville Laihiala sing live in other projects (not so long ago) was mind blowing on its own, but to be able to witness them performing music I was very familiar with was unimaginable (since I had also been unfortunate to miss out on seeing their earlier bands such as Sentenced and Charon live). Although I was not officially on duty at the second show I attended, I cannot help but compare the two gigs. Tampere was on point, the band was professional and didn’t miss a beat. Their charisma with each other seemed as if they had never stopped playing together, and their charisma with the audience was just as magical. I have seen a few sold out shows at Olympia, but the audience at this one made it seem like the venue was packed ten times more than other sold out shows. So much anticipation and an almost urgent feel. People pushing to get up front and the impatience for the gig to begin almost palpable. The Helsinki gig had a different vibe. The venue itself was smaller, making it much more intimate to begin with. I cant remember the last time I experience such a perfect club gig atmosphere! The audience was excited and eager (the fact that it was a Sunday night not dampening the energy one bit) but that urgency from the Tampere gig wasnt as present. It was more chill, it felt the audience had a bit of a lighter mood. The band did too… they seemed much more relaxed and loose, whatever the cause. They seemed to be letting go just a bit more, enjoying themselves a bit more, joking more (with eachother and the audience) and getting into the music more. JP licking Ville’s guitar, Ville’s stage presence seeming to slip back into Sentenced days juussttt a little. At least from what I’ve seen on video. Both shows were more than one could ask for, and I personally am satiated and incredibly grateful to have been able to see this music brought back from the dead.