Four great bands and many others as quest appearances took part this year in Heidenfest, among them there were Ensiferum, Turisas, Equilibrium, Suidakra and other, not so big bands, as guests.
In the first part of the review (http://www.rockoverdose.gr/news_details.php?id=26527) we talked about Frosttide, Suidakra and Equilibrium. Now it’s time for the two big bands of the Finnish metal scene for this year's festival, Turisas – Ensiferum!
After Equilibrium, it was like a ‘bomb’ had exploded in the Live Club. -What a show!-
However, the time had finally come for Turisas to show themselves on the stage and put it on fire!!
People who work for the band were coming and going continuously in order to prepare the setup of the scene. Their musical instruments, flags, their huge banner on the back, and suddenly everything started to get the familiar red and black colour! Fans of the band along with us (admins of Turisas Italia and Turisas Greece) began to shout loudly and with much excitement!
In addition, I have to admit that I was impressed by the very organized preparation for the setting of the scene that took about 15-20 minutes. Watching that the crew had almost finished, our excitement, joy, agony and madness began to beat red! And go…. ‘Turisas..Turisas..Turisas..!!’. The members began to emerge, the lights slowly dim and the moment we had been waiting had finally arrived!!
Before describing the pandemonium that followed the appearance of Turisas, I would like to make a brief introduction to the band, for those who do not yet know them, and tell some 'gossip' from the backstage ..!
Turisas is a Finnish metal band from Hämeenlinna. It was founded in 1997 by Mathias Nygård (lead vocals, percussion) and Jussi Wickström (back vocals, guitar) and named after an ancient Finnish God of war.
So far, they have 4 great albums (the last one being 'Turisas2013'), 4 singles, 1 DVD and 3 Demos. With many concerts and tours alongside great names of the metal scene like Dragon Force, Cradle of Filth, Moonspell, Alestorm, Arkona, Ensiferum and our own Firewind (with whom they had a perfect collaboration, as they had stated in interviews) Turisas have established their name among other great bands of the metal scene and their path continues uphill!
Before the festival, we had the honour to meet the band. Well, I cannot put into words those feelings, because for me it was the first time to get in contact with them and I was completely happy! They were incredibly kind, talkative (especially Robert) and funny!
First acquaintance with the singer Mathias Nygard. Well.. what more can I say for him, that hasn't been said already?. In a few words, the man is totally admirable and respectable!!
Mathias introduced me to Jesper Anastasiadis (bass player), who is half Greek (origin Sparta) and half Finnish. Well, this guy had really made my day then! Always smiling and giving so much positive energy! Additionally, I incredibly appreciated the fact that he was trying to speak in Greek (and he spoke good) and he really seemed to enjoy the meeting.
Next contact with our lovely Olli Vänskä (violin). The most of you know, how much worthy of admiration is this guy, so I will not talk more of his personal quality. However, I will say something really nice he told me, ‘If we had one opportunity to come to Greece, we would not think about it twice’ - (You will come!) -
Following, the amazing Robert Engstrand (keyboard). Well, I have to confess that for some reason I really admire this person! Furthermore, I was really pleased to hear from him that, in 2005, he had come to Greece, with the band he participated in back then, and had visited my hometown Thessaloniki and Athens for a tour . He said that he was impressed by the food and by liquor we call tsipouro (very strong one!)
Jussi was the only one who was so shy and blushed every time we asked him a question! -(Totally cute!)- I thanked him for the interview he had given a few months ago in Rock Overdose and I pointed out what a great guitarist he is and that many Greek fans had told me that they would really like a few more solos' from him!
Regarding Jakku Jaakko(drums), I will only say how cheerful and funny he was, always smiling as well, and I really couldn’t help to make him a joke for how tall he is, indeed!
More or less, that was the meeting with this amazing band, leaving me with the best impressions!
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Returning to the moment of their appearance, the intro track was 'The Bosphorus Freezes Over'. Having still low lighting in the scene, after a few minutes Mathias appeared and the concert started with 'For your own good'. Perfect start I would say and the frontman of the band from the very first song gave us an incredible ‘metal energy’! They continued with one of the old songs, the 'Portage to the Unknown', and there the Italian fans seem to be more excited! – Turisas really transform themselves when they’re on a show! And it’s not only the outfit or the war-painting, it’s all about their great passion, dynamism and incredibly energy they have on stage!-
The third track from their setlist was 'Ten More Miles' and then 'Piece by Piece', both of them from their new album.
Continued with the old classic and amazing 'To Holmgard and Beyond'! -Total panic, as you can imagine!!!-
And then it was the time I went completely crazy, because the next track was one of my most favorite of their new album..'Greek Fire'!!!-What an unbelievable song and how perfectly they played it!!- (I’m lucky that my head did not dislocate!!)
Next great change was the 'As Torches Rise', and for the next three songs I cannot describe anything more than an absolute madness, as they played the 'Battle Metal', 'We ride together' and closed the show with 'Stand Up And Fight'!!
At the end of their appearance they went down the scene and greeted the fans. Mathias, as always, thanked the members of his band and prepared us for the final show of the great band, Ensiferum!!
Short break, and while the sets were changing, the fans of Ensiferum were slowly squeezing and preparing themselves for the next big blast!!
Well, as we know Ensiferum is a Finnish melodic/folk metal band from Helsinki, which was formed in 1995 by Markus Toivonen, Sauli Savolainen and Kimmo Miettinen.
They have played in a major number of concerts and tours such as:
Paganfest tour in Europe and North America in 2008. The tour included Týr and Eluveitie, with Moonsorrow and Korpiklaani also joining them on the European part of the tour, and Turisas in North America. They also supported Megadeth on the opening night of their United Abominations – Tour of Duty European tour. Ensiferum also supported Amon Amarth on their North American Twilight of the Thunder God tour. Russian tour as well in 2008 and in the first half of 2009, Ensiferum performed at a string of festivals!
They count five incredible albums, 1 EP, 1 DVD, 5 Singles and 3 Demos.
l think, the words are useless..
Ladies and gentlemen Ensiferum!!!!
First song of their setlist was the 'Into the Battle' and the Live Club started to shake!! -You know very well that Petri has an incredible way to fire up the fans!-
They continued with the amazing 'In My Sword I Trust', (favorite one), 'Windrider' and 'Unsung Heroes'.
Next song was the‘Burning Leaves' (what an amazing song, as well) and the people were totally crazy!
'From Afar ',' Twilight Tavern ', then another favorite song 'Ahti', ' The Longest Journey' and epilogue with the 'Wanderer' and 'Bamboleo' ! Specifically, I have to mention that in 'Bamboleo' they showed up with sombreros on their heads! Totally funny and enjoyable to see Ensiferum singing and playing with those sombreros on their heads! -Divine!!-
Ensiferum are known for how well they play at their concerts. For me it was the first time I saw them live and they really confirmed that!
The concert ended and the masses started to empty the venue, with many of us taking yet the last pictures and having the last beers totally excited and happy!
I will conclude by saying that this festival was a blast and I really had one of my best experiences!
For RockOverdose.gr: Elena Darzeda
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