Photo Reports

Heilung has become an absolute phenomenon. Not only they make wonderful music, but live they are an absolute sight to behold. It’s a celebration of everything from our ancestors, the connectivity with nature and each other, and is simply a religious and otherworldly experience. Now, I’ve caught them twice before already, both at Tuska festival in Helsinki. And while those shows were absolutely amazing, I still felt there was something missing. Their performances work best when the whole crowd is there to connect with Heilung has to offer the world and at a metal festival, it just often doesn’t work as well as it could. So I was eager to see what the vibe and atmosphere would be like when catching them at a venue with a headlining show, where everyone there traveled to see and experience Heilung.

Folk that harks back to the olden days and somehow connects you with something that lives deep inside you, a connection with nature and your ancestors, is something that has been somewhat of an obsession of mine for probably about 15 years. The fact that through popular acts like Wardruna and Heilung, popular series like ‘Vikings’ and even games, this kind of “pagan folk” is starting to become somewhat more popular and more commonplace is something I can only celebrate. Because it means that there is a bigger chance that bands and artists that make this kind of music are coming to a stage near me. Case in point: the French collective Skáld was on tour through Europe and made it all the way to the Finnish shores. No way I would miss this, so off I went to Ääniwalli, looking forward to a great night of folk music and connecting with that something deep in my core.

The Eclectic Room in Angola, Indiana raised the roof during the Until We Break Tour with headliner From Ashes to New with special guests The Word Alive, Dropout Kings and Eva Under Fire tapping in for Dragged Under. 

Eva Under Fire started the night off with an amazing, high energy right off the bat. There were definitely some fans in the crowd that were big EUF fans that brought along signs to show their love to the band. Dropout Kings matched and raised that energy a little higher with their rap and metal mix, which got the crowd moving. The Word Alive fed off both the previous bands’ energies and by the end of their set, crowd surfers started to float across towards the stage. By this time the room was buzzing with such a vibe and everyone was definitely ready to see From Ashes to New hit the stage! I think the room is legitimately bouncing at this point. FATN hail from Pennsylvania and is composed of Danny Case [vocals], Matt Brandyberry [vocals], Lance Dowdle [guitar], Maty Mediro [drums]. They played hits such as Until We Break, Panic, Scars That I’m Hiding, Wait For Me and Crazy. The band also played a cover of Break Stuff by Limp Bizkit, which was pretty dang rad. The lineup for the tour was so awesome, and they all did such an amazing job performing as well as interacting with fans during and after the show. I look forward to more work from all the bands in the future!!

We went to Antwerp to watch Powerwolf on their ‘Wolfsnächte 2022’ tour where they presented us their latest album ‘Call of the Wild’, successor to the hugely successful album ‘The Sacrament of Sin’.

The (European) tour kicked off in Stuttgart on October 1st, and on December 4th it was our turn to sing along to the heavy metal anthems they brought us on what was  the biggest and most epic production Powerwolf has brought to stage thus far.

Special guests were Dragonforce, led by -co-founder- guitar virtuoso Herman Li who invariably steals the show with his unique guitar playing technique.

Warm up act was Warkings.

Finland’s favorite hard rock monsters Lordi rocked the legendary Tavastia venue playing the first of their last three tour dates of the “Lordiversitour” in their native land Finland. As usual, the band seemed to be happy playing in front of their home fans giving tons of laughs for the crowd, not forgetting a mix of hard rock to pop songs you can bang your head, or shake your behind to. Considering this was the first show of the tour in Finland, Mr Lordi gave his usual notorious tongue in cheek speeches in Finnish, turning a monster rock show almost to a stand-up show. The band truly seemed to be having fun which is always nice to see, and the newcomer monster Kone is truly a machine on the guitar, the band is sounding better than ever nowadays. Check out the pictures from the night down below! JOO JOO! (you had to be there to understand it)

Jennifer Batten, known for her work as a guitarist for big names like Michael Jackson and Jeff Beck, was on a club tour through Europe and had 2 stops in Belgium. We attended her show in the Goedleven (good life) venue in Ghent for an evening of pop-rock classics and some own work, including music she wrote to support several videos (that were also playing in the background).

One of the first things she said (to the light technician) was: “I’m like very old (65), so these flashing lights may give me epilepsy, so please don’t do that!?” She also said that she doesn’t see very well anymore, so they had to give a little more light than first intended, or she would play too many mistakes. These two requests were also very much appreciated by this grateful photographer, since it resulted in a very nicely illuminated show.

The first part was the music with the video footage. This was a solo performance. After that she pulled out the big guns: support on bass (and vocals) by Niklas Turmann and John Macaluso on the drums for a series of (mainly) pop, rock and jazz covers such as Aretha Franklin, Billie Eilish, Britney Spears, Toto and more.

A very nice performance in a very nice, very new venue!

After crushing all big stages in Belgium and abroad, this is the second to last show of Rhea before they take a break performing live for at least a year. Even with Jorge being sick and with Guillaume having problems with his pedals, they make one hell of a rock party with the biggest mosh pits the VIERNULVIER venue has had since a long time.

Being the support act, THE RG’s welcomed everyone with their blend of very solid melody-driven post-punk/grunge noise rock.

When Rhea comes on stage, the venue is packed and the crowd is instantly ready to dance, jump and sing along. A great evening to remember, and we’re already looking forward to when they’ll make a return to the stage!

To open the night a band unknown to many in Munich, coming from the neighboring Czech Republic and already have a large legion of fans there, they are Dymytry. A strong performance, full of attitude from someone who knows how to be on stage with full confidence, it was great to take pictures of them.

Almanac performed on stage without their vocalist due to illness, and the project’s mentor makes sure to warn that the set will be special. Victor Smolski (ex- member of RAGE) is a virtuoso guitarist and a man with many other specialties such as teaching, producing and driving racing cars. In Munich, he was accompanied by two other excellent musicians, and they gave a lesson in making music of a superior technical level.

The big name of the night came of course from Finland and brings with him his world of monsters, Mr. Lordi and company showed that they are excellent entertainers, full of humor and have a show that is worth watching. Musically, Lordi are an excellent example of how to make good hard rock, and the victory at the Eurovision festival didn’t happen by chance, they know how to make catchy, earworm choruses and songs that simply make you feel good.

Pretty big names tonight! Co-Headliners Eluveitie and Amorphis share the stage together with special guest Dark Tranquillity and warm-up act Nailed to Obscurity in Lille France. While Eluveitie are still touring with their latest album ‘Ategnatos’, Amorphis presents us their latest album ‘Halo’… Each band seems to have its own share of fans, but there is a certain overlap that makes it possible for the majority to enjoy the entire show.

The great room of the Backstage Club “Werk”, prepared to receive two excellent bands from the neighbor country, Switzerland!
With a super well composed room, opening the night were the explosive SOOMA, a trio coming from Zurich with a powerful presence and a lot of energy on stage, they warmed up well the public present.

We presented ourselves with much excitement and joy to be present to testify the European passage of Zeal & Ardor, a project that we appreciate very much.
Despite apparently not being in full physical shape, they performed flawlessly in Munich. Manuel, has a new look and many find the absence of his voluminous and beautiful hair strange, but unlike Samson, he has not lost his strength or virtuosity.

It was a memorable concert, mixing all the musical diversity of the Swiss band, accompanied by a lot of moshpit in the huge and energetic audience present. Certainly by the end of the year, Zeal & Ardor will be in the tops of the best records of the year, so we advise you to go and witness the band’s immense talent live.