Turisas / Norther / Alestorm
13 March 2008
Camden Electric Ballroom, London


If ever a band could be in the right place at the right time it’s Alestorm. The Scot’s mix the “folky” beer swilling sounds of the likes of Turisas and Korpiklaani with the current Jack Sparrow fascination for pirates. Kicking off with Over The Seas, the most instantly striking aspect is that frontman Christopher Bowes also sports a key-tar. Sticking to his pirate persona, Bowes informs us "This is true pirate metal!" as the band continue with The Huntmaster.

Whilst obviously fresh faced in the live environment, Alestorm have bags of enthusiasm and will surely improve as performers with experience. Guitarist Gavin Harper had a “kid in a sweet shop” grin on his face, though you can’t blame him when he’s staring out on a collection of plastic cutlasses waving at him.

“Can I hear you say argh?”, asked Bowes then continued, “Can I hear you say Treasure?” Finally in falsetto he demanded “Can I hear you say shiver me timbers!” This got the desired response each time from this crowd, who were won over before they entered the building, judging from the motley assembled bunch of fancy dress pirates. Nancy The Tavern Wench got us swinging, though the Testament inspired Death Before The Mast faired less well. All was back on track with the marvellously silly Wenches and Mead, before Captain Morgan’s revenge saw the band head off to a headline response.

Alestorm set list:
Over The Seas / The Huntmaster / Nancy The Tavern Wench / Death Before The Mast / Wenches and Mead / Captain Morgan’s Revenge


Norther were in a tough slot tonight. Sandwiched between two bands with a party atmosphere, the Finns needed to be on top of their game and it didn’t really happen.

The band’s sound always draws comparisons to fellow Finns Children Of Bodom, and at this, my first live experience of Norther, the similarities such as Tuomas Planman’s forward tilted keyboard screamed out, but only in the sense of a poor man’s Children Of Bodom.

To be fair, Norther have a fair few quality tunes in their cannon, such as Frozen Angel and Death Unlimited. But despite the shirtless Petri Lindroos’ best efforts, Norther are a bit dull tonight.

Norther set list:
My Antichrist / Down / Blackhearted / Unleash Hell / Omen / We Rock / Frozen Angel / Death Unlimited / Black Gold / Self Righteous F**k


Turisas seem a constant fixture on the UK gig circuit and it’s getting to the point where one wonders if the Finns have fought one too many battles of late on these shores and has apathy set in? This is what I had been asking myself prior to tonight’s performance. However, as the expansive Dnieper Rapids kick started the evening, we were reminded that Turisas are not just plastic swords and Boney M covers.

To Holmgard And Beyond ensures the crowd are onside, before the accordion of 17 year old stand in Netta Skog, informs us its time to take A Portage To The Unknown. Tuomas Lehtonen’s powerful drums felt like they were cutting right through your midriff as strobes blinded us.

Warlord Nygård informs us this is the biggest crowd the band have faced on this tour. Goading them about drinking Dutch beer he was met with the unlikely chant of "London Pride". Continuing the drinking theme, violinist Olli Vanska, now with long hair, led us into fan favourite One More. For the most, tonight his performance seemed less comedic and more intense, which worked in the bands favour.

In The Court Of Jarisleif was pure mayhem with Warlord commanding the crowd to dance. Meanwhile, Five Hundred & One, which was preceded by a violin solo, was a welcome new addition to the band’s setlist on this tour. Miklagard Overture was triumphant and gave Warlord an opportunity to introduce the band, pointing out they’d “lost” usual accordion player Lisko after a show in Amsterdam, hence Skog’s presence tonight.

Having noted Vanska’s performance was more sober than usual, as the band returned to the stage so the violinist reverted to his usual self. Explaining the war against guitarist likes Herman Li was over and that violinist had won, he proceeded to produce a miniature violin, before Skog joined in with the manic Sahti-Waari. Of course it was left to Rasputin and Battle Metal to send a boisterous crowd home into the wet London night.

Turisas set list:
The Dnieper Rapids / To Holmgard And Beyond / A Portage To The Unknown / One More / In The Court Of Jarisleif / Five Hundred & One / Miklagard Overture / Sahti-Waari / Rasputin / Battle Metal



LINKS:
Turisas
Norther
Alestorm