Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Heidenfest 2011

Skálmöld, TrollfesT, Alestorm, Finntroll, Turisas.
HMV Forum. London 11th October 2011.

Unfortunately Akrona had to cancel last minute due to being unable to get into the country, or as Alestorm facebook announced;
"London Englandshire tonight! Unfortunately Arkona drowned at sea and won't be playing tonight."
Nonetheless the rest of a solid line up blasted on to a very packed venue of metallers from wee teens [some looked too young to handle the pit] to veterans of the genre!



Iceland's SKÁLMÖLD kicked the night into action with an intense blend of melodic viking metal, reducing the crowd to a mass of moshing violence!
Although i hadn't heard of them before, their music style isn't anything new, very enjoyable, especially for fans of viking/folk metal, and a very entertaining live show! i definitely needed a drink after the pit.



Norway's TrollfesT hit the stage next, viking metal with a giggle or two attached.
A band i can never seem to take seriously, unfortunately they did not live up to the standard Skálmöld placed. They entertained for sure, a nice pit breaking out for the majority of their set, and a wicked sax solo, had the crowd barking; literally! they fitted the bill to the T at least.


Boozed-fueled, Pirates ALESTORM commandeered the stage next, and if you didn't already know Turisas was the headliners you would have thought these lads were the show! And what a show these lads put on! With their usual zazz and energy they turned the crowd into a drunkard sea of dancing, signing pirates! But they do it so well. Alestorm to me are just a bit of fun, they live up to their expectations and gimmicks which i guess is all you can really ask from a band. There live show is electric, they have the crowd sweating like wrenches!
Personally my favourite part of their set was when Vreth from Finntroll came on stage to do guest vocals, well growls for the song "Death Throes Of The Terrorsquid". But one can not think Alestorm without one song...and drink coming to mind! yep 'Captain Morgan's Revenge' was the well hailed song of the set, with all crowd screaming, drinking and dancing along with it!




Finnish gods FINNTROLL blasted on to the stage, to be honest the only band i had come out to see that night, unfortunately the crowd didn't show them the respect they deserved, but i you can read my little rant about that HERE.
Finntroll put on, as usual a solid set of a dark blend of black and folk metal! The crowds reaction was a little tame compared to the reactions of the previous band, i still enjoyed them, and felt they did suffer from lack of crowd support. I just remember back to when i saw them at the INFERNO METAL FESTIVAL in Oslo, Norway in 2010 how amazing the show and atmosphere was. I pity the crowds ungrateful kid attitude they missed the experience of a band of outstanding quality.



Finland's TURISAS took us into the final battle of the night! With all their fellow warriors [decked out in war paint and furs] pushed their way through to center pit, preparing for the war that only Turisas can bring to style.
I was still upset at the careless lack of respect London's society seems to have inhabited, and therefore stood back from the pit, to just be a casual observer of the impending metal assault.
If you can only say one thing about Turisas it would have to be that this band can put on a bloody show!!
For me it was a rather surreal experience to step back from a band and just watch [well OK i did headbanging a rather lot, you cant not join in to Turisas' war cry]
The whole audience was captivated by Turisas, as they blasted away solid song after solid song, with some crowd taunting thrown in by Warlord Nygård just to keep as all as one!


And back in high spirits HEIDENFEST came to a close, the pirates, the warriors and trolls all together a family in metal...fighting each other for the cloakroom.

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