In the Shadows of Sound: Last of Eden Live at the Grayston Unity, Halifax – 5/4/25

Reviewers: Alex English and Ant Firmin // Photos: Ant Firmin

Down a narrow staircase, beneath the low ceilings of a Halifax pub, time seems to slow. The flicker of fairy lights and the low murmur of voices give the space an almost secretive feel – like stumbling into a hidden ritual. On the small stage at the far end of the room, headliners Last of Eden, a four-piece post-rock band with an eye for the cinematic, prepare to draw their audience into something far beyond the usual pub gig.

But before they take to the stage, the crowd is warmed up by a stellar performance from Newcastle-based post-rock band Dutch Elm, who are making their Halifax debut. Their sound is heavier than Last of Eden’s, but no less subtle. Gritty guitar lines and relentless drums pounds through the room, creating an intensity that contrasts with the more atmospheric elements of the headliner. Despite the raw power of their performance, there was a delicate, almost fragile quality woven through the layers of sound. A special moment comes when the crowd, in a burst of unexpected camaraderie, serenades Callum, the bassist, with a round of “Happy Birthday.” Though clearly embarrassed by the attention, his shy grin speaks volumes as the crowd’s warmth adds a personal touch to the night.

Follow Dutch Elm on the internet:
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Photo by Ant Firmin
More Dutch Elm photos here

And finally it is time for the headliners – L.o.E (Last of Eden). Three grainy screens, arranged behind and beside the band, loop haunting black-and-white films photo montages of the band, carpet bombing in Vietnam, robot animations that blur the line between dream and memory. As the first notes ring out, the visuals and music melt into each other, setting the tone for a set that feels more like a journey than a performance.

Much of the night’s material is drawn from their debut album, The World and Everything In It—a record already steeped in atmosphere and emotional weight, now brought vividly to life in the shadowy intimacy of the venue. Early in the set, they play their new single—a soaring, spacey composition that leans into melody rather than sheer volume. It floats more than it charges, offering a moment of calm and introspection before the storm. Echo-laden guitars stretch into the distance while the rhythm section pulses gently beneath, like signals sent into the void. In that moment, the room doesn’t feel like a pub basement at all – it feels like we are in orbit.

Next, they dive into on of their most popular pieces – People Like People Like Them, a track that swells with intensity, underpinned by video clips from the iconic film Network. The voices, a fragmented chorus of anxious declarations and declarations of defiance, echo through the room, fusing with the band’s layered sound to create an unnerving yet powerful atmosphere. The film’s stark warnings of societal disillusionment are reflected not just in the audio but in the bleak, black-and-white footage that flickers across the screens, feeding the band’s urgent energy.

There’s a noticeable charge in the room – a kind of quiet reverence mixed with local pride. This is a hometown show for Last of Eden, and the crowd knows it. Every swell of feedback, every crashing wave of drums, is met with a surge of energy from the audience – heads nodding, eyes closed, some gripping pints like lifelines, others just swaying in the dark, completely absorbed.

As the set progresses, the band’s restraint gives way to full-bodied catharsis. Songs that began as slow burns erupt into towering climaxes, all four members locked in and visibly pouring everything they have into each passage.

And as the set nears its climax, they bring out People Have the Power, a track heavy with John Lennon soundbites. The screen comes alive with a simple but striking animation of Lennon, his face morphing through different moments of history and revolution, as his words reverberate through the crowd. The track builds slowly but powerfully, the weight of the imagery and music combining into a moment of catharsis. The entire room feels charged, drawn together by the weight of both the music and the message.

Monsters & Miracles, is the icing on the proverbial L.o.E. cake – the robotic video fires up the pistons and puts the pedal to metal on this opus finale. By the time the final notes fade, the band are drenched in sweat – spent, but triumphant. No encore needed. They leave the stage the same way they came on: no fuss, no ego, just an overwhelming sense that something meaningful has happened in that low-ceilinged room.

What sets Last of Eden apart isn’t just their ability to craft sweeping, emotive soundscapes – it’s the sheer professionalism and dedication they bring to every element of their performance. The visual components aren’t an afterthought; they’re an integral part of the experience, stitched into the music with intention and care. In a basement in Halifax, they didn’t just play a show – they build a world, invite us in, and leave us changed; the basement became the world and everything in it.

Follow Last of Eden on the internet:
Bandcamp
Facebook

Setlist:
I Was Not Magnificent
After All Is Said & Done
You Can’t Keep A Good Man Down
Secrets
Sunset Silhouette
A New Consciousness
Need Your Help
People Like Them
People Have The Power
Monsters & Miracles