The Cleveland Masonic Temple, a great establishment imbued with mystique, was the perfect setting for a Sisters of Mercy concert on that chilly October night. Just the temple seemed like it was full of history, filled with intricate dark designs and hidden places where people sat, waiting to witness an event. As I walked through the convoluted yet expansive halls and corridors, I could feel the tension in the air, like the atmosphere right before it rained.
Sisters of Mercy got a taste of the younger generation who adore them as they storm into the dim light of the temple. A sea of painted goth faces, ranging from the old and confident, to timid young to weak to warrior old, dragging along their love for the band’s sound. It was that togetherness that washed over me as the sense of community. It makes no difference how old you are or how rich you are or how poor you are, we were all the same. All of us were devotees lured into this temple by Andrew Eldritch and his band.
The stage was illuminated that evening and the spectators were silent as one. Out of the blackness, Eldritch appeared so fast it was startling. He was dressed all in black, and the expression on his face was one of constant gloom. He moved as if he was a vampire who had just woken up from his slumber and had a charming glow about him.
Everyone in the audience was in a daze but all that changed with the first few chords of "Doctor Jeep/Detonation Blvd". The place was now filled with a deep soothing voice. This voice belonged to Eldritch, whose age was quite awesome, as he still sang like he was in his younger more formidable years. Doktor Avalanche lessened the pulse and the band united with them to form a sincere beat that was powerful yet brought you from a trance.
This was done beautifully as the Sisters of Mercy were able to showcase their grandeur in the genre. ‘Alice’ and 'Dont Drive on Ice' early on in the performance proved how much the band had struggled in their post-punk days while much later in the performance they were able to belt out songs like ‘Dominion/Mother Russia’ and 'Lucretia My Reflection'.
The Sisters of Mercy have not lost their charm, even today, after years. Musical violence and a powerful gothic backdrop paired with post-punk industrialism is something that still stands true years later. Eldritch may have aged but there is no denying his stature when he speaks.
The band showcased a powerful performance during the concert’s final moments with the song’s “This Corrosion” ruthless destruction paired with heavy bass followed up by destructive word choice deploying the crowd completely. There was no doubt that as the concert felt like a roller coaster ride, even after it ended with lights dimming and music ceasing the excitement stayed with the audience as a wave.
You could almost say that the band had performed a miracle. The Sisters of Mercy spoke to all of us through their deafening performance, reaffirming the evident need of people for gothic rock: it is music that serves to heal, gives inspiration and helps to feel integrated. I will have many reasons to remember that night, it was like witnessing a miracle when music seems to draw the line across eternity. The music of was out of this world, to me, it was preferable to even be in unison with vampires.
Sisters of Mercy: Spotify
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