Panopticon land in London in support of their forthcoming new album, Det Hjemsøkte Hjertet. Support comes from Sunken.

A QUIET INTENSITY

Panopticon are one of this writers all-time favourite bands, so hearing they would be playing two UK dates on their European tour in support of the upcoming Det Hjemsokte Hjertet felt like a rare and special moment. Joining them are Sunken, a band I have admired for years and still riding high from 2025’s stunning Lykke. Having seen both bands before, and with the show being played at The Dome, one of London’s best live spaces, this was always going to be something special.

There was a quiet intensity in the air before the doors even opened. A knowing anticipation. An hour before the show, a murmur spread through the queue as the new Panopticon record appeared on sale. Despite not officially dropping until May, copies were available, much to the delight of everyone present. With only two bands on the bill, the room fills early, and by the time the lights dim, The Dome is already packed.

SUNKEN

Sunken take the stage with the presence of a headliner. Their brand of black metal is fluid, immersive, and rich with atmosphere. It immediately pulls the room under. Tracks bleed seamlessly into one another, building a hypnotic, almost dreamlike state. Opening with Din Røst Malede Farver I Luften, they cast a spell that never really breaks. The closing stretch flows from Dødlængsel into Når Livet Går På Hæld, handled with precision and real emotional weight, capturing everything that makes this band so special.

With only four tracks their set feels brief, though it still runs for close to an hour, which given the band’s long-form compositions was always likely. It is still hard not to want more. A phenomenal performance from a band operating at their absolute peak.

A brief pause follows, but the energy never dips. If anything, it intensifies. We had already witnessed something special, and yet the main event was still to come.

PANOPTICON

Austin Lunn is, for me, one of the most compelling figures in modern black metal. Not just as a musician but as a person. The set promised material spanning the Laurentian trilogy, including …And Again Into the Light and personal favourite The Rime of Memory, alongside the new record. It delivers on every count.

They open with Winter’s Ghost Part II: Hjemløs to immediate and deserved applause. Notably, Lunn stays away from dominating the front of the stage and allows the band to breathe as a collective. It works brilliantly. Charlie Anderson, fresh from his phenomenal Weft release last year, is a standout presence throughout, moving effortlessly between fiddle and synth, adding a texture that elevates the entire performance.

DET HJEMSØKTE HJERTET

The set leans heavily on the new material, which having picked up the album beforehand, can say, is exceptional. Older favourites like Dead Loons and The Blue Against the White were met with huge appreciation from a crowd that clearly knew every note. One of the defining moments of the night came with a guest appearance from Alex CF of Fall of Efrafa, whose contribution added real weight to an already powerful closing stretch.

The band returned for an encore with Autumn Eternal. A perfect choice, and a genuinely moving end to the set.

What stayed with me most, though, came after the final note. Lunn remained behind to speak with fans, and I managed a few minutes with him, talking about the tour, the new record, and even drifting into American politics. It is rare to see that level of openness and humility from someone of his stature in the scene. It caps off what was already an unforgettable evening.

A truly special night. Do not sleep on Det Hjemsøkte Hjertet when it drops in May. You can find links for the new album, here.

Panopticon: Bandcamp

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