Photo Reports
Another one of those packages that got delayed time after time again due to the pandemic… Bloodred Hourglass was supposed to play in Helsinki with MyGrain, Oceanhoarse and Balance Breach for a couple of years and now finally is the time! Oceanhoarse had to drop out still after all, but got replaced by the doomsters of Marianas Rest, completely a really solid line-up of up-and-coming greats of the Finnish metal scene! Place to be was Vanha ylioppilastalo (or the “old students’ house”), a fancy old building in the center of Helsinki that hasn’t really been the home for metal shows before. And here is how the night went…
The Norwegian misfits of Kvelertak were supposed to go on tour in support of their latest release ‘Splid’ back in 2020, but like we all know, the pandemic intervened quite a bit. And it seems they didn’t get rid of that curse completely yet, because they had to postpone most of their 2022 European tour again. Luckily they managed to keep their Nordic dates and even more lucky for us, that included their stops in Finland. So finally we were able to catch this powder keg of a band live on the legendary Tavastia stage in Helsinki!
While winter and spring fight over who has the regiment here in Finland there were not so many shows. So when I saw that Frosttide after several years announced a live show again I decided to go and check it out even though I hadn’t heard of the other bands before.
It was a solid show of all bands but lacked just the last little extra excitement. I think Olympia-kortteli was not build as a concert venue and this reflects a bit in the light and sound quality they’re able to provide. But overall it was a very enjoyable evening and it was nice to finally see some friends and solid bands again.
The Saint Paddy’s Day bash at The King of Clubs in Columbus, OH consisted of 4 Ohio based bands and headlined by NONPOINT. The local Ohio bands all did an amazing job getting the crowd warmed up for NONPOINT.
NONPOINT was an extremely fun band to photograph. They bring a vibe and electricity to the stage that extends to the fans below. They have this way of making you feel like they are playing just for you and allow you to be fully in the moment of what you are experiencing.
Last Friday, we hosted in our very own Asgaard 5 Belgian bands who are traveling around together under the title ‘Infected Weekends’. To be able to put 5 bands on stage in one evening, the first band Triagone had to kick things off early. Everyone who arrived late, missed a quite impressive performance from this Brussels based band with Brazilian vocalist Lorena Moraes. Second band of the night was Incest Analfest. I think you can best describe this show as a sex obsessed carnival act. No shortage of humor with these guys! Immediately after that, our Gent local boys of Serial Butcher treated us to a set full of brutal death metal. For the penultimate band of the evening, it was certainly not the first time they played at Asgaard. Brutal Sphincter did what they’re known for: they threw a party! Headliner and closing for tonight was the legendary act Leng Tch’e. Singer Sergeï had the audience in his hands and he even called Triagone vocalist Lorena Moraes back on stage for a surprise duet! General impression: amazing atmosphere all night long!
After two years of (non-)cultural madness the time finally came to see The Dead South live in concert in one of Antwerp’s most beautiful Venues: De Roma. As if a two year wait wasn’t enough to get people revved up for the gig, they brought Missouri desert/blues rock trio The Hooten Hallers to get things going. And boy, did they!
If you’ve never heard of The Hooten Hallers, don’t worry. You will soon. Imagine a jazz drum kit and a meaty baritone sax layin’ down a deep, melodic, dare I say sexy groove with a Reverend Telecaster screamin’ all over, supported by a dark, raspy voice that testifies of a life that’s been worth living. I’m telling you: If you can stay still while these guys (AND gal!) are playing you must be catatonic at least! Hell, even I danced!
After that everything went dark except for some shimmering lights through faux stained glass windows and a few lanterns in the front. The time had finally arrived and Nate, Danny, Scott and Colton finally set foot on stage. All the way from Saskatchewan (man do I love Canadian place names!) to Antwerp to treat us to some fine bluegrass music and their good company.
