Photo Reports

Blood Command recently released a massive new album with ‘World Domination’ and embarked on a tour of the same name to present their new work to fans all over the continent on stage. So when they hit up On The Rocks in Helsinki again, we didn’t hesitate and quickly made our way to the venue for a shot of the high energy shows they are so well-known for. Opening for them were the local metal heroes Mørket, easily matching the main event in energetic performance.

German post-hardcore band Annisokay had a busy October this year with their European tour. Despite a bit of a rocky start and some rescheduling due to health issues on the part of some band members, everything went according to plan. We had the opportunity to see the concert on Backstage, and it was a reunion for Bavarian fans with one of the bands of choice on the German alternative scene. After a reshuffle, following the amicable departure of previous vocalist Dave Grunewald, a new man, Rudi Schwarzer, arrived to complete the dirty vocals and has done an excellent job, having already recorded the latest album “Aurora” as well the latest Ep “Abyss Pt I”.

As support bands on this tour in Germany, we had the Scottish To Kill Achilles as well as the Norwegians Fixation, two bands with enormous potential that we will be following closely.

Norway’s Kvelertak went on the road for a few shows here in Germany as part of their European tour to present their latest work “Endling” to the public.
We attended the gig in Munich and, as usual, the biggest room in the Backstage Club was packed to the rafters for one of those sweaty nights, with lots of moshing and crowd-surfing from both the audience and the band! Canada’s Cancer Bats had the honour and merit of warming up the well the crowd before the main act.

The concerts are back in full swing in the great hall that is the Zenith -Die Kulturhalle. As always, the professionalism of all those who organise events there is evident in the friendly welcome we received.

The room was full to welcome the “cowboys” from Berlin! The BossHoss came to perform their new “Electric Horsemen” tour and proved once again that they are a great live band. The groovy country rock show was full of good surprises, with lots of fire, lights, explosions and smoke that delighted everyone present. This was the third time I’ve been able to photograph the band, and it’s always a great pleasure and a thrill to be able to take part in the festivities in some way. It’s worth highlighting the way the band treats the press, giving permission to take images permanently throughout the show, after the classic 3 in the pit, thank you.

Opening the night were Wellbad, a band from Hamburg who unfortunately we didn’t get to see in time to take pictures, but we still watched the rest of their concert and it was good. They warmed up the crowd in the best way, let’s hope we cross paths with them soon. In short, it was an evening of excellence and joy, as a live music show should be.

It was about time that the Norwegian misfits of Kvelertak dropped by again in Finland. If there’s one thing that is guaranteed when these dudes come over for a gig, is that you’ll get a damn explosive evening! Add to that them bringing the melodic hardcore bombshell that is the Canadian Cancer Bats, and you know you’re in for a wild night!

When an absolute legend like John Lydon (formerly known as Johnny Rotten) comes to a venue near you with his band Public Image Ltd. to present their latest album ‘End of World’, how can you say no to that? So of we went, to a sold out Ääniwalli in the outskirts of Helsinki, an event hosted by All Things Live Finland.

The Tonhalle was huge for just one person, and without fear of facing an audience that probably wouldn’t be his, JANOSCH MOLDAU came on stage. In about half an hour, fearless, he managed to present his synth-pop songs and have the visibility needed to win over new followers – a thankless task, but always worth it!

When the veterans Combichrist take to the stage, they have no pity for those in front of them, “massacring” those present with an outpouring of energy and power that makes your whole body vibrate and your ears bleed. The mix of electronic beats and ultra-heavy guitar riffs is the perfect combination for those who like genuinely alternative sounds. Andy LaPlegua and his mates worked up a sweat and were always very interactive, to the point where the stage was no longer the limit and bassist Elliott entered the middle of the riot and crowdsurfed while playing his instrument.

Closing the evening, Megaherz performed new songs from “In Teufels Namen” and, of course, old favourites from their long career. In front of their most loyal audience and playing at home, they gave a relatively warm but consistent concert, with good lighting and stage sound.

Every year the Lost in Music Festival, Finland’s biggest showcase Festival, brings around 100 Artists to Tampere. The event includes everything from newcomers to established all stars, from R&B to Heavy Metal. This festival will surely be able to check the box for almost everyone.

We made it to one of the events happening at Olympia-Kortteli, featuring Bloodred Hourglass, One Morning Left and Shereign. I must say, that even though I know this was a great combo, I didn’t expect there to be quite so many people, after all, the show was held on a Thursday night. It was packed, it was hot and it was a big party.

Right in the beginning of October, Michael Monroe, Sami Yaffa, Nasty Suicide and Karl Rockfist showed what a true rock ‘n’ roll show is when Demolition 23. performed in a fully sold out Tavastia club in Helsinki. Resurrected for one Finnish tour (at least for now) this project of former Hanoi Rocks members published only one album in 1994 and now enjoys a true legend or even cult status in the rock ‘n’ roll scene. And it shows, they even booked an extra show for Helsinki since every single show was sold out. This night was the epitome of what a rock ‘n’ roll show should be, so check out the photos down below and be on the lookout for a full gig report on our site soon!

Looking back on a beautiful night for a great cause:

September 30, the first edition of Aütfëst takes place in Bruay-La-Buissière, somewhere in northern France. It’s a charity festival. Proceeds go to 2 autism-related partner associations: Ma p’tite fée autiste and Association AZUR…

It was a festival that was well-prepared by the 32 volunteers they could count on. Not only musically, but in addition there were food trucks, various stalls, a barber, merchandise stands for each band separately as well as their own merchandise. Aütfëst even had its own beer! There was also a guitar to be won, autographed by the winner’s favorite band (which turned out to be Kamizol K).

Musically, there were 7 bands on the program. All French metal bands, but each with a different genre, so something for everyone:

Overflow Guy: a Noise-Grunge duo with catchy melodies.

Titans Rage: Heavy metal as it sounded in the 80s. Both the voice and the music are reminiscent of Iron Maiden. They pay tribute to Lemmy with the song “Lemmy,” written in the old Motörhead style.

Death Structure: Good for half an hour of death metal!

Kamizol K: A hardcore group from Lyon… At the end of their show, they call a lot of people on stage…  It’s up to them to hand out the autographed guitar to the lucky winner!

Overdrivers: If you didn’t know, you’d think they’re Airbourne!

Xaon: Unfortunately, they had some soundcheck problems that led to a sound that wasn’t quite right, but other than that, they put on a great show of the best symphonic death metal France has to offer!

BlackRain: Good for even more than an hour of old school Glam metal/ Hard Rock was headliner Blackrain from Annecy.