Photo Reports

Finnish extreme metal collective Assemble The Chariots has been making some excellent music the past years, steadily building out a dedicated fan base with what you could call progressive/symphonic deathcore. Little did we know that they were actually biding their time to come out with a suckerpunch of a debut full-length on which they showcase what they are actually capable of with ‘Ephemeral Trilogy Episode 1: Unyielding Night’. An album that goes into extremes on many levels, creating an epic soundtrack to the story and world building they are trying to convey with the first part of the planned series. The release being a concept album that you should listen to from start to finish without skipping any tracks, almost begged for a special show where they played the whole damn thing in one go. And that is exactly what they were serving up on the official release show for this debut full-length: a possibly once in a lifetime chance to hear this album completely live as intended, with mesmerizing visuals and some of the extras that were featured on the record dropping by to bring their contributions live. An incredible night that got even better with supporting guest bands the pagan inspired folky progressive band IA and deathcore upstarts Lightbearer!

Elektrik Products is the booking agency in Finland that fulfills some of our musical needs that we didn’t realize needed satisfaction. They’re pretty well established as an entity that brings some of the most interesting and exciting acts to the country as part of unique and exhilarating events. Every year they bring the top of the industrial, EBM and dark elektro music to Helsinki for Hellsinki Industrial Festival, but they always have a couple of cool separate shows throughout the year as well. And this summer, amidst a busy festival calendar they hit us with “Elektrik Circus 24”. A club event for which they brought back the highly popular Swedish synth collective Priest to get a fix of those good beats. And along with them, we got an intense set of the highly volatile industrial duo Ambassador21, a special “old school electro” set of our favorite Estonians of Freakangel and an opening set from the electro/industrial version of The Hirvi: Teknohirvi! What a night! What a party!

US rockers Starbenders finally made the trip across the ocean again to invade Europe infectious glam rock and their renewed line-up with new drummer Qi Wei. If you were looking for a good night of rock ‘n’ roll done right, On The Rocks in Helsinki was the right place to be on this sunday night! Support came from local Goth star Suzi Sabotage.

On September 3, 2024, the Liederhalle in Stuttgart transformed into a mystical place as the Danish-Norwegian-German band HEILUNG continued their current tour. The band, known for their unique blend of archaic sounds and modern elements, captivated the audience and delivered a performance that will be remembered for sure.

An Evening Full of Magic and Mysticism.

There was a special atmosphere within the venue and the audience that was already palpable before the show started. The stage was bathed in soft light, perfectly showcasing the elaborate costumes and props of the band members. HEILUNG knows how to take their listeners on a journey to times long past. The show starts with a first ritual, beginning with a kind of blessing of the stage before all members come out and complete the ritual in a big circle. With drums, bone flutes, and throat singing, they created a soundscape reminiscent of ancient rituals and ceremonies.

The band was supported by the Swiss metal band Zeal & Ardor, who opened the evening and set the right mood for the audience.

HEILUNG is known for not only captivating musically but also visually. The elaborate costumes, reminiscent of historical warriors and shamans, and the carefully choreographed movements of the band members contributed to the magical atmosphere. The audience, consisting of all age groups and styles, there were a lot of Vikings present, was visibly fascinated and willingly immersed themselves in the show.

At the end, the whole ensemble closes the show with another ritual before leaving the stage.

The concert was an impressive experience that blurred the lines between past and present. The band once again proved that they are capable of creating a unique connection with their audience through their music and performance. An evening that will surely resonate in the minds and hearts of the spectators for a long time.

Once again, Finland’s capital pulsed with the thunder of riffs, roars, and relentless energy as the second edition of Hellsinki Metal Festival took in the Nordis area. With a stacked line-up ranging from underground cult favorites to genre-defining heavyweights, the festival delivered two scorching days of pure metal mayhem. But all of this wouldn’t have been possible with you, the fans, the visitors, the crowd! So here is an article dedicated to all the lovely people we ended up capturing at this year’s edition!

No Name Collective set up a banger of a show, an exclusive fly-in Belgian premier show of Together to the stars. After the setbacks of the pandemic, they were live on stage abroad for the first time! Soul Dissolution was booked as support.

Belgian atmospheric black metal duo Soul Dissolution brought their emotionally charged and immersive music to life in a mesmerizing live performance that felt both intimate and expansive. Known for their ability to blend melancholic melodies with the raw energy of black metal, the band delivered a set that left the audience entranced. The layered guitar work created a soundscape that seemed to stretch beyond the confines of the room. The live sound was meticulously balanced, ensuring that the soaring melodies didn’t get lost in the harsher, more abrasive black metal sections. This gig reaffirmed Soul Dissolution’s place as a rising force in the atmospheric black metal scene. If you have the chance to catch them live, don’t miss it—they’ll take you on a journey you won’t soon forget. And the future is assured. There was a nice moment when the vocalist’s daughter played a few songs on bass guitar.

The Swedish post-black metal band Together to the Stars brought a mesmerizing and emotionally charged live performance that perfectly conveyed their unique blend of atmospheric sounds and raw intensity. The performance was a journey through melancholy and hope, with the band leaving a deep impression on the fans present. Their music, characterized by dreamy guitars, introspective melodies and harrowing vocals, came across as even more powerful live than on their studio albums. The dynamic between the subdued moments and the explosive eruptions was nothing short of breathtaking. What stood out was how Together to the Stars adds an extra layer to their music live. The emotion and energy they put into their performance make the experience intensely personal. The sound was excellently balanced, with the atmospheric elements and the more raw black metal elements being in perfect harmony. The audience was swept up in a whirlwind of feelings, from melancholy to catharsis.

Once again, Finland’s capital pulsed with the thunder of riffs, roars, and relentless energy as the second edition of Hellsinki Metal Festival took in the Nordis area. With a stacked line-up ranging from underground cult favorites to genre-defining heavyweights, the festival delivered two scorching days of pure metal mayhem. On day 2 of the 2024 edition we got massive shows from Havukruunu, Trelldom, and Mayhem on the third (indoors) stage!

Once again, Finland’s capital pulsed with the thunder of riffs, roars, and relentless energy as the second edition of Hellsinki Metal Festival took in the Nordis area. With a stacked line-up ranging from underground cult favorites to genre-defining heavyweights, the festival delivered two scorching days of pure metal mayhem. On day 2 of the 2024 edition we got massive shows from Insomnium, Abbath, and Hammerfall on the second stage!

Once again, Finland’s capital pulsed with the thunder of riffs, roars, and relentless energy as the second edition of Hellsinki Metal Festival took in the Nordis area. With a stacked line-up ranging from underground cult favorites to genre-defining heavyweights, the festival delivered two scorching days of pure metal mayhem. On day 2 of the 2024 edition we got massive shows from Blackbraid, Doro, Meshuggah and Kreator on the first stage!

Here we are again, one of Belgium’s or possibly even Europe’s best metal and rock festivals of every summer. Alcatraz festival in Kortrijk, Belgium is one of those place you want to go back to every year if you’ve gotten a taste of it once. The combination of an amazing atmosphere, solid line-up that has something for everyone who is into the heavier side of music and smooth organization has made it quickly to be the favorite destination of many. On day 1 we got a killer start on the mainstage, better known as the “Prison Stage” with hard rockers Audrey Horne, US metal institution Soil, the popular modern metallers Jinjer, another Finnish folk metal legend with Korpiklaani, a bit of hard rock jukebox with Gene Simmons Band and djent legends Architects!