07-11-2019 Månegarm

The German Dawn of Disease opened the night. The band is founded in 2003 and with their Melodic Death Metal they seem to be a bit apart from the other two bands playing tonight. The band has now 5 full length albums out, the latest being “Procession of Ghosts” which is out for just a few days.

A short set for the guys but they seem effictive in showing what they are up for. A quite controlled sound comes to the audience, the band has some guitarist in there which skillfully put themselves in the spotlight. Vocalwise frontman Tomasz is a bit more modest in performance but knows how to enrich the band with his words. The band does not waste much time talking in between as they want to use their time mainly for the music.

The audience seem to respond a bit tame, not so sure what to think of it but perhaps that is because the other two bands are more the kind of music they came for. Yet, the set impressed us. Dawn of Disease is a band that played a good show, but was maybe a bit unlucky here tonight.

Einherjer surprised us last year with the release of album “Norrøne Spor”. The band makes Viking metal tending towards a Rock and Roll/Heavy Metal feel. Vocalist Grimar is a charismatic personality, he does not really need to do much to have the audience on his hands and that makes it interesting to watch. He lives his music intensely on stage and without going over-the-top wild with the performance it makes the show so easy to love.

Then, he does not have any problem with sharing the spotlight with both guitarists who have their moments to shine as well. Jumping out is Ole Sønstabø who more than once steps forward to have his moment. Yet, do not count out Aksel Herløe who surely has his share in that too. He seems to enjoy himself a lot.

From catchy tracks like “Kill The Flame” towards the more intense “Mine Våpen Mine Ord”, the band has their audience along. We can safely say that their show is one of the best we have seen this year, so if this band crosses your path we can highly recommend them.

After such a statement it is interesting to see how the very next band will do. Månegarm did not disappoint at all. In fact they far exceeded our expectations. The Swedes have released a new album earlier this year, it is called “Fornaldarsagor” and so the band has something to promote today.

Opening with “Slaget vid Bråvalla” the band show right away they are a good match with Einherjer. The band has also a very active performance which is approved of by the audience, yet if you see the songs they play during their set it seems like the newer songs are bit different from the older material. Yet it feels like they fit with what the band is doing and gives the set nothing more but a little twist.

When the guys run towards the end of their set you can see they have a long history of releases on their name that although quite varied are fitting in line with their more recent release in which they have a bit heavier approach.