Paganfest 2008
Ensiferum / Korpiklaani / Moonsorrow / Eluveitie / Tyr
6 April 2008
Koko, London
Opening my curtains the morning of Paganfest to discover a layer of snow (the only time that’s happened this winter in my part of London) seemed quite fitting. This was the fifth date of this touring festival and the long queue snaking around the Koko indicated that it was going to be well attended. That queue, combined with a mix up with photopasses, meant we arrived in the Koko with Tyr already on stage. Frontman Jeri Joensen proclaiming that Hail To The Hammer was the last song of the night meant we managed one song better than when we had similar problems when Tyr opened for Amon Amarth back in 2006, but it’s left to Bloodstock Open Air to check these elusive Faroe Islanders out.
Tyr set list included:
Hail To The Hammer
I’ve since discovered Eluveitie and Tyr are rotating slots on this tour, but with the tickets showing Eluveitie as openers, there were some puzzled looking fans who’d also missed Tyr as eight people swarmed on to the stage. Of all the acts tonight, Eluveitie appeared to be the least known, however they certainly left with a lot of admirers. I’d read that the Swiss band were trying to mix the typical Scandinavian melodic death metal sound with folk influences, which turned out to be a pretty decent description. Your Gaulish War, one song I was familiar with, jumped from a melodic lute introduction to full on Dark Tranquillity like riffing, before the tin whistle of multi-instrumentalist and indeed mentalist, Sevan Kirder took the song into a Celtic Jig.
Tracks from the band’s forthcoming Slania album appeared to ease up a little on aggression and contain more catchy Celtic influences, with full use of the bands various instruments. Certainly it was the first time I’d seen a hurdy gurdy player headbang, though to be fair Anna Murphy is the first hurdy gurdy player I’ve seen in a metal band. The full on visual and musical assault of Eluveitie took many be surprise tonight and they’re set to go down a storm at the summer festivals.
Eluveitie set list:
Inis Mona / Grey Sublime Archon / Of Fire, Wind & Wisdom / Bloodstained Ground / The Somber Lay / Your Gaulish War / Tegernakö
Moonsorrow completed a trio of bands due to play Bloodstock Open Air this summer and this was my first encounter with the Finns. That is except for guitarist Henri Sorvali, who is probably better known as Trollhorn, keyboard player of Finntroll. Probably the most extreme band of the night, Moonsorrow ply epic Pagan metal hymns tinged with folk and forays in Black Metal.
Opener Sankarihauta sets the scene for the evening, which frontman, and cousin of Trollhorn, Ville Sorvali comments is far too nice weather compared to the frostbitten Finland. You can feel that cold climate laced through the stomping song. Ukkosenjumalan Poika is a majestically constructed wall of melodic noise with atmospheric keyboards, which hits a blistering pace mid song, with guitarist Mitja Harvilahti swinging his right arm around in Pete Townshend style. To be honest the similarity of the bands material caused my attention to wander during the lengthy Jotunheim, though Moonsorrow’s more straight faced approach slotted nicely between the sets of Eluveitie and Korpiklaani.
Moonsorrow set list:
Sankarihauta / Ukkosenjumalan Poika / Pakanajuhla / Kivenkantaja / Jotunheim
With memories of their riotous performance at Bloodstock last year still in mind, Korpiklaani came over a bit subdued tonight. Maybe it was because they weren’t as drunk as that day, or possibly due to hangovers. In retrospect, tonight’s performance matched the other performances I have seen by Korpiklaani and Bloodstock was probably the exception. This isn’t to say the Finns were bad and had no problem getting the crowd to jig around to Cottages and Saunas.
There’s a darker edge to the material from latest album Korven Kuningas and older favourite Tulikokko also changes the mood. This variety could give some further longevity to Korpiklaani’s current peak of interest as it’s likely the steam will run out if they’re Happy Little Boozers 24/7. Of course that song goes down a storm and when Jonne Järvelä asked the crowd at Korpiklaani’s “last orders” what they want to finish, the shout of Beer Beer is unsurprising.
Korpiklaani set list:
Wooden Pints / Cottages & Saunas / Tulikokko / Kipumylly / Pellonpekko / Journey Man / Paljon On Koskessa Kiviä / Happy Little Boozer / Beer Beer
I wondered whether Korpiklaani had over-taken Ensiferum in terms of popularity and whilst there were a few leaving following the folkier of the two Finnish bands, a healthy crowd remained to welcome Ensferium to a stage which had been decked out in their own side screens, plus a giant shield stand for the keyboard.
With an overly long wait for the band to appear it’s a bit of a shock when we’re hit with basically zero guitars and a roaring bass for opener Iron which certainly didn’t live up to its metallic name. Nothing changes as One More Magic Potion and Ahti pass. A friend of mine had confronted the soundman who was completely oblivious and dismissive of any problems. With the crowd chanting “turn it up” in relation to the guitars, frontman Petri Lindroos finally noted “We have sound difficulties” and finally his and Markus Toivonen’s guitars appear for Lai Lai Hei.
From there on in things steadily improved, though the earlier problems had taken the wind out of Ensiferum’s sails and indeed blown a few punters towards the exit door. Token Of Time causes the crowd to pick up but it’s the snippet of Iron Maiden’s The Trooper during a medley that got the loudest cheer. By this point I have to confess to being somewhat folk-ed out and it did seem I was not the only one with Eluveitie having already run away with the honours tonight.
Ensiferum set list :
Iron / One More Magic Potion / Ahti / Lai Lai Hei / Guardians Of Fate / Dragonheads / Token Of Time / Medley / Victory Song / Blood Is The Price Of Glory / Treacherous Gods / Battle Song
LINKS:
Paganfest
Ensiferum
Korpiklaani
Moonsorrow
Eluveitie
Tyr
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