The Melodies Of Atonement Tour Stops At The Melody Ballroom On April 21st

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All Photos By Krishta Photography

The Norwegian Prog Metal/Alt Rock band LEPROUS played in Portland, OR on 4/21/25 at the Melody Ballroom, supporting their album Melodies of Atonement. Opening the show was Finnish prog band WHEEL.

Unfortunately, with it being an early show on a Monday (start time 7:30) and the challenging street-only parking situation at the venue in a semi-residential area, I made it in last minute to catch only a couple of WHEEL's last songs of their set. The place was packed. They sounded great, although the lighting was dark with flashing strobes that could give a seizure to those not even prone to them. My photographer's heart sank slightly, wondering if LEPROUS would have similar lighting.

Here comes another photographer's complaint: I was told there was a pit for shooting, but when I made my way to the front, I realized there was no pit. I would have to navigate my way between the audience to get some photos for the evening. However, everyone in the audience was understanding and accommodating, which I'll delve into later in this review. I managed to find a decent spot to capture a few good photos.

Norway is just one of those countries that lends itself to producing great metal bands. Maybe it's because of its cold subarctic climate or because it is known as one of the wettest places in Europe. What better way to express aggression than in music? Although not considered mainstream by American standards, the audience on this night seemed to be lifelong fans of the band.

LEPROUS singer Einar Solberg possesses a unique, melodic range that is truly captivating. His ability to pull off falsettos, a rare feat in the music world, is something to behold. Their sound, a blend of dissonance, melancholic melodies, and powerful emotions, is a journey in itself.

At 8:45, LEPROUS took the stage. The band's performance was a testament to their incredible tightness, with Solberg leading the charge with his commanding stage presence. The bass player, as expected, had a multitude of strings which he played flawlessly, enough to impress even the nerdiest of prog fans. The heavy progressive interludes were intertwined with highly technical, almost mathematical notes, showcasing the band's musical prowess.

While there was no photo pit, with the audience pushed up to the front of the stage, as I was taking pictures along side all the sweet, nerdy prog fans, a girl was violently pushed into me. I then realized that the only pit that evening was that of a large group forming a moshing circle. Great. I was able to get through a couple of songs, but made my way out to avoid being sucked into it with my expensive camera gear. It was a bit confusing for me as I thought prog fans are busy trying to process the intricate playing, and that mosh pits were for punk or death metal. I made my way to the back of the venue and watched safely from there.

The lighting for LEPROUS was as intricate as they were, with programmed syncopated LEDs that matched perfectly with each song. It was an incredible 2-hour show. I highly recommend checking these guys out. I doubt they'll be playing smaller venues for long.

https://leprous.net/

SETLIST:

• "Silently Walking Alone"
• "The Price"
• "Bonneville"
• "I Hear the Sirens"
• "Like a Sunken Ship"
• "Forced Entry"
• "Nightime Disguise"
• "Unfree My Soul"
• "Distant Bells"
• "Below"
• "Slave"
• "Castaway Angels"
• "From the Flame"
• "Atonement"
• "The Sky Is Red"