11-11-2011 Moonsorrow

Supports: Crimfall, Tyr; Venue: Rock Temple, Kerkrade (Netherlands)
By: Elvira Visser& Martine Goffard

Crimfall was tonight’s first band to enter the stage in the small venue. People were still coming in when they had played their first songs but a nice crowd had gathered. Because there were not that many people the band could interact in a good way with the fans. All band members seem to have their own way of entertaining the audience and it looks good. What is to like about this band is that they wave the epic sounds into their music in a quite natural way. Female vocalist Helena is not only taking care of the higher female vocal lines but she sounds great when she lowers her melody lines. The band stands with enthusiasm on stage and together with their exhilarating music it will get you to nod your head and move your feet. It is a particular sound they bring across and I must say that at the end of their set the songs began to sound more or less the same. I must say this band tries to give their own mark on the epic/pagan music and does it well but might still variate a bit more so that not all their songs sound the same. It was a nice performance of this band and they left a good impression.

The first main band to play tonight is Týr. It’s a long time now that the Faroese hadn’t been on tour and it’s with great expectations that we have awaited this moment. Many Týr fans have made a long way through Netherlands to be here. The band members don’t wear their chainmails tonight. Perhaps it’s an evolution of their image as they didn’t have them on the promo pictures either. Týr offers us a show of great quality, mixing old and new songs. We also have the chance to hear the brilliant guitar duo The Rage Of The Skullgaffer. The band has a very personal sound, particular to the cultural background of the islands. The powerful and harsh voice of Heri Joensen is like a call to war, while the drums roll like a ship rowing on the waves. As final, they will perform the classic Hold The Heathen Hammer High. The audience is very enthusiast and we all agree the show ended too soon.

The last band to come on stage tonight is Moonsorrow. The Finns let the tension grow with a very long intro. As usual, they will play long songs, some dynamic and some atmospheric ones but it’s not this time either that we will have the pleasure to hear Sankarihauta. At least, we will have Kylän Päässä and its catchy keyboard solo. Moonsorrow has many fantastic songs with a very personal, epic and Nordic atmosphere but they always have a too short period of time to perform them. So when you are a fan, you get used to be left frustrated. Though the audience like their performance, there are less people than for Týr and a few fans are already at the bar, chatting with the Faroese.

At the end of the show, the Rock Temple closes the stage side of the venue and the last fans can enjoy a beer at the bar with the musicians who still have a few minutes before packing their stuff in the bus.

More photo’s of this event can be found at Photographic Retentions