DAY 3
Vermillia (full gallery below)
Vermilia, the perfect blend of black, folk, and doom metal, initially started as a solo project by a woman, and after releasing some very well-made albums, evolved into a band with live shows. Vermilia went up on stage carrying a shamanic drum and a drumstick, while her companions went up on stage hooded and with their faces covered, only their eyes visible. The show began with the intro Alkusointu, setting the tone for a hypnotic performance that lasted throughout the entire show. The synchronized beat of the drumstick on the drum and Vermilia’s ethereal voice in the intro, followed by the guitars in the first real song Veresi, also in sync with the hypnotic rhythm of the intro. Vermilia’s clear voice mixed with her own growls, in a pagan, shamanic, cathartic atmosphere, punctuated by the harshness and aggression of the guitars, caused the crowd, which was quite large for that time of day, to fall in love with the woman they had in front of them on stage. Karsikko, Varkat, Ruska (one of the concert’s highlights), Koti, Tuonen Joki, Marras (another equally high point), ending with Kaipaus, were some of the songs (among others) that were heard, leaving the audience with the feeling that it had been a short, albeit intense, concert.
Sagenbringer (full gallery below)
Next up were Sagenbringer, a German folk pagan metal band whose songs deal with legends and stories of lost kingdoms. This band has been progressively gaining some notoriety in the German folk scene, so much so that they secured a contract with SPV for the release of their latest album, released last January. Therefore, the setlist was mainly drawn from this latest album to promote it. During the 3-minute intro “Feuer Und Eis”, the vocalist came on stage dressed as a druid with a book in his hand, and after all the other members gathered around the book, placing one hand on it, the book was opened as if to tell us that a story was about to be told. Valkyrensturm, Berserker, Bei Vollmond, Freie Vögel, Walpurgisnacht, as well as some older songs like Draugr, Für immer frei, Druid Natt and Trolltaverne were some of the songs played. The concert was interrupted midway through to announce that a child had gotten lost and that his parents could find him at the entrance to the venue.
Heidevolk (full gallery below)
Judging by the t-shirts and comments we heard among the crowd that now completely filled the venue, was the one that most of the audience was waiting for: Heidevolk.
This Dutch folk/viking metal band is a cult favorite in this part of Germany and they are often invited to play in Leipzig. With 7 albums released so far in their career, they always put on a very entertaining and highly committed show.
Being a band with two vocalists with different vocal ranges, they tend to move across the stage from one end to the other, crossing paths and creating a dynamic atmosphere. Often, while one is singing at one end of the stage, the other is at the other end, raising their arm and engaging the audience. Being a Folk/Viking band with a lot of stage experience, it’s easy to create a connection with the crowd, and between sing-alongs, raised arms and clenched fists, and small circle pits, the concert was characterized by being very lively for both sides.
Ontwaakt, Ostara, Yngwaz’ zonen, A Wolf in My Heart, Drinking with the Gods (Valhalla), Vulgaris magistralis, were some of the songs that most energized the concert among the participants.
Hindarfjäll (full gallery below)
After the Heidevolk show, many people left, but the evening wasn’t over yet in Heidnisches Dorf.
Finally, Hindarfjäll, a Swedish Nordic folk band with 11 years of activity, was yet to perform. With violins, hurdy-gurdy, shamanic drums, harps, various percussion instruments, and multiple voices, this group created a very different atmosphere from the preceding band: more intimate and relaxed.
The exclusively dark blue lights under which the entire concert took place also contributed to this, and, as the sun set, the stage and the atmosphere became darker, where the priority for all those who managed to stay until the last band was to concentrate on the music flowing from the acoustic instruments. Songs such as Sól Tér Sortna, Seden, Fordom Vis, Mjölner, Ristade Stenar, Vid Tidens Källa, Hednatid, Móğir, Din Bärgande Häll, transformed the venue into a place where Nordic spirituality, the exaltation of history and nature blended with the contemporary experiences of the audience present.
Lacrimosa (full gallery below)
After this last concert in Heidnisches Dorf, we looked at the clock and saw that we still had time to catch the Lacrimosa concert.
Another trip to Agra.
Lacrimosa, the project of the duo Tilo Wolff and Anne Nurmi, is one of the unavoidable names in world gothic music.
Initially more focused on gothic rock and darkwave, it soon evolved into gothic and symphonic metal, even recording albums with symphony orchestras. But before recounting this concert, let me give you a little context. Last year Anne Nurmi became seriously ill and underwent surgery. She had a long recovery period, and to replace her in the shows that had already been booked, Tilo’s niece, Lara, was chosen. This show at the Gotik Treffen was the first where Anne appeared after her full recovery. Not wanting to leave out his niece who helped him during a difficult period for the band, Tilo also invited her, who, on a secondary keyboard, positioned herself behind Anne Nurmi, so that in this concert the band would have two female vocalists and two keyboards. Regarding the concert, which was practically sold out, it was a triumphant performance for Lacrimosa. With an exemplary setlist featuring songs from various albums throughout their long history, including some of the singles that have become classics in the gothic metal genre, Lacrimosa delivered a memorable show to the crowd. It was noticeable that at the beginning of the show many eyes were on Anne Nurmi, wondering how she would react. But Anne remained composed, and with the support of Tilo’s niece providing backing vocals, the show went smoothly. Throughout the show, Tilo adopted a theatrical pose, gesturing a lot but in a slow way, as if he were in an operatic performance. Avalon, Schakal, Dark Is This Night, Lichtgestalt, Alleine zu zweit, Ich verlasse heut’ dein Herz, Nach dem Sturm, Not Every Pain Hurts were some of the songs played. Interestingly, it was during the encores that the music gained a bit more power when Tilo decided to pick up the electric guitar and join the session guitarist. Thus, Der Morgen danach, Punk & Pomerol and Rote Sinfonie gained extra weight. When everything seemed to be over and the audience was enthusiastically cheering the band, they decided to surprise everyone by returning for a second encore to play Kelch der Liebe.
VERMILIA
SAGENBRINGER
HEIDEVOLK
HINDARFJALL
LACRIMOSA
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