Mark Lanegan, Union Chapel, gig review: A 'chilling atmosphere of melancholy-soaked anguish'

The influential rocker performed songs from his extensive back catalogue, accompanied by Duke Garwood

Mark Lanegan performs at Union Chapel (@qotsarena)

Mark Lanegan's caustic baritone is a rich and rare thing to behold. Backed by support artist and touring buddy, Duke Garwood, and another guitarist, it made for an intimate and mellow set. Garwood's laidback guitar tones and deep vocals provided a woozy accompaniment to Lanegan as we were steered through a set drawn from his extensive and influential back catalogue including 2014 album Phantom Radio.

From stripped down arrangements like opening number "One Way Street", into some bluesy, lugubrious rock, and understated versions of "Mirrored" and "Low", Lanegan's strained vocals filled the church with a fragile weariness. Limiting his words to the occasional mumbled "thank you", there was little room for manoeuvre between each number from the grandiose rock of "The Gravedigger’s Song" to "Judgement Time," a quiet number with delicately plucked guitar up against his rasping vocals that are always the focus.

Highlights included an old Screaming Trees track "Where The Twain Shall Meet" and a beautiful, low-key version of "Torn Red Heart", while "Halo of Ashes" and Phantom Radio's "I Am The Wolf" proved fan favourites.

With Lanegan's deep, growling husk making the packed pews veritably vibrate, it was not, perhaps, a night for the casual fan. Moving through his back catalogue at a glacial pace at times and with the odd dodgy blues-rock song, it's Mark Lanegan's voice that could equally strip paint and console you in your darkest hour that provides a unique and chilling atmosphere of melancholy-soaked anguish.