I must admit that due to some events, that had nothing to do with Tuhdimmat Tahdit, I was really not in the mood for a festival on Saturday. Why do I mention this if it had nothing to do with the festival? Well, because I didn’t think I could be having a good time that day, but I kinda did. Everyone at the festival was so lovely, and it was probably the best place for me to be at that moment, and it helped take my mind off the bullshit of the night before. After things wrapped up on Friday night, I still went to grab a bite to eat in town and apparently another festival goer got offended by the fact that I was speaking in English with my friends. Luckily, things like this don’t happen too often in the metal scene, so no need to be worried about visiting this festival even if you’re a foreigner. But should you, against all odds, also encounter some discrimination in or around the festival, then just know that the festival has a person specificity to deal with those kinda things.

Now on to happier topics, food! In my opinion, the eating options were much better this year, I actually had to choose between several things I like. The prices are a bit outrageous though.

We start the day immediately with full force and Michael Monroe, I really don’t know where this guy finds the energy to run, jump and climb around the stage as if it’s nothing. And we’re not slowing down at all with Moon Shot either. Finally, I got a chance to see this band after hearing so much about it, and well, it’s not my cup of tea at all, but at least you certainly won’t get bored while watching them. Next up, we had the Black Devils playing a special Hurriganes show, together with two former members of that legendary Finnish rock band.

Another band that seems to have endless energy reserves is Hardcore Superstar. Singer Joakim Berg continuously kept closely interacting with the crowd, which earned him a lot of love from the fans. Turmion Kätilöt is one of these bands that you just won’t get around seeing if you go to any Finnish summer festival. Good thing that they’re also a lot of fun, so it not a problem to see them yet again for what feels like the millions times. These weirdos always bring the craziness and the party everywhere they go.

Next up was Battle Beast, which I adore, and I don’t think anything could ever change that. They are by far the band I’ve seen most often, and yet they still bring a smile to my face every single time. Now I do have to also say though, that I don’t really like where they are going with their live performances. It just feels too over the top, there’s too many explosions, too many stage props and most certainly too many spikes on Noora‘s outfit. I’m all for bands putting effort into how their live shows look, but in this case I think that all those little add-ons distract more than they add to the experience.

Now to Blind Guardian I first of all have to say that saying “If any other band would say this they would sound arrogant, but in our case it’s totally true” does sound arrogant as well. Although the statement that followed is indeed quite true: “After so many years of making music it doesn’t really matter which song we choose to play next, all the songs we play are hits”. And while the phrasing of that statement did bother me a bit, I can’t deny that they deserve to be one of Germany’s most famous metal bands.

Overall, I had a good time at Tuhdimmat Tahdit again, and I’m looking forward to next year’s edition.