After the brilliant sophomore, Futha, was released, I have seen HEILUNG live for the first time (live report here) and was exceedingly thrilled, stunned and mesmerized. A show for the books. If I wouldn't had to take photos, I would have been deeply hypnotized and right after would have conquered every barbarian horde single-handedly and saved the world.
Meanwhile, HEILUNG became famous, extremely hip, so to say, and arrived in the mainstream area. Last summer, the collective released Drif, the band's third record, and I have to say, it falls off noticeably. To me, it's just a pale copy of its predecessor. But it seemingly hasn't narrow the intensity of their live shows any bit. Much the opposite!
Like so many other bands, HEILUNG now deliver their several times postponed 2020 tour and made a stop at the :: Ruhrcongress Bochum ::. The touring billing has changed: Gaahls Wyrd couldn't partake anymore (I would have loved to seem them too), instead, EIVØR and LILI REFRAIN jumped on the trek.
To be honest, I didn't have special expectation towards the HEILUNG show. My first ritual was so magical to me that I didn't thought it could be topped. Much more, I was eager to see lovely EIVØR again, as I missed her solo shows in October.
This time I started even earlier. First, because a show time at 8pm is utter bullshit, when you have three bands and a timetable wasn't announced. Second, I wanted to avoid guestlist/photo problems as experienced the day before (same agency) and, there also many road constructions on the way towards Bochum. But, lucky me, everything went smoothly ;) No traffics, free parking space (evening ticket 5 Euro), plus guestlist and photopass, yay :) Even better was the announcement that we would be allowed to take photos from the audience after our usual 3snf stint in the pit – as long as no one feels bothered.
Catering pricing has been ok too (4 Euro for drinks), served by the best crew ever: the Turock-crew! :) Merchandise was quite expensive, but, as BRT said yesterday, due to war, inflation and the financial crisis those prices will be the new standard. Well, what other sources of income are left for bands these days?
However, as expected the show didn't start at 8pm but 7 pm, with LILI REFRAIN opening in front of the congress half-filled at best. Most attendees have been beautifully dressed in historic and/or traditional Viking garments, occasionally with martial war/face paints. Some have been very close to their idols in HEILUNG. Bird's twittering and rustling trees made the breaks atmospheric and relaxing, while runes were glowing on every wall.
:: pics :: LILI REFRAIN ::
I actually never heard of :: LILI REFRAIN :: before. I just remember to have read her name on last year's billing of Roadburn Festival, which is per se an accolade. Fully dressed in black with martial war paint and almost merging with the black background, the Italian lady created layer by layer an unbelievably dense sound with her loop machine, synths, guitar, drums, bells and other little instruments. It didn't really sound Nordic, rather haggish, some kind of nature mysticism, for sure highly intensive and ritual like. LILI REFRAIN truly put a spell on me. I couldn't elude nor did I want to ;)
Her intuitive singing reminded me of Lisa Gerrard (so does Eivør), especially in Ichor, a track that downright burnt into my memory. Gave me the creeps. This track came from her freshly released third record, Mana, she also presented live at Roadburn Festival.
Yes, LILI REFRAIN left an impact on me. I'm deeply impressed by her musicianship and creative outburst. The crowd meanwhile responded rather reserved. Well, I don't wonder, it's a unique and special kind of music and I guess, there weren't many Roadburners among the audience ;)
Band: Lili Refrain
Setlist: Ichor, Sangoma, Mami Wata, Terra 2.0, Travellers, Earthling
:: pics :: EIVØR ::
:: EIVØR :: wields a unique power and fascination, not only over me as I could witness during her show ;) And I couldn't wait to see her performing live again.
Hailing from the Faroe Islands, EIVØR is used and closely connected to all the Nordic myths, legends and traditions that also reflect in her music. Just listen to Trøllabundin that perfectly suits the headliner (like she did to Wardruna in summer – live report here). But there also many electronic elements in her music that let you dance (Salt).
Tonight, EIVØR was accompanied by a cellist, who also played synths and keys, while she played guitar, effects and a tambourine. Though, sound and lights were rather puristic. I loved The Last Kingdom (sound)track, where she played dazzling post rock guitars, and her cracking voice everywhere at the end of text lines. Too lovely. Sorry, I'm a fan girl ;) She also told an interesting story about the mist-shrouded forests and mountains on her Islands, and her fear of ghosts in them. Perfectly mimed too.
Unfortunately, the show was only running 40 minutes and thus was, once again, way too short, yet breathtakingly beautiful and fascinating. Just outstanding!
By the way, both support bands had a crystal clear and powerful sound.
Band: Eivør Pálsdóttir
Setlist: God Of War intro, The Last Kingdom, Salt, Lívstræðrir, Helig, Stirdur Saknur, Gullspunnin, Trøllabundin
:: pics :: HEILUNG ::
It was 9 pm when the lights went out one last time and Kai Uwe Faust entered the stage to clean the place of ceremony with sacred sage. Howl of wolves and battle cries were the respond from the crowd, even amplified, when the warriors and the remaining :: HEILUNG :: members slowly came onto stage to gather for the opening ceremony. It took a long time till the crowd figured to shut the fuck up and to honor the ritual with silence. Some loud and quarrelsome drunkards needed to be removed to fresh air by security. Then, time has come and the community was sworn.
“Remember, that we all are brothers
All people, and beasts, and trees and stone and wind
We all descend from the one great being
That was always there
Before people lived and named it
Before the first seed sprouted.”
The stage setting has largely increased. Full trees, mostly birches, graced the stage, decorated with many runes, bells, stripes and other paraphernalia, incense, lights and many traditional instruments, which were all played during the two hours lasting ceremony.
Once again, the songs were presented much more energetic, harsher and more powerful than on CD. In its entirety the set created an intense line of suspense, erupting in ecstatic franticness at the final Hamrer Hippyer. Extremely loud, extremely overdriven, which I think, was intended to add to this experience. I felt sucked up, absorbed, assimilated and driven to the climax. It was inconceivably breathtaking, outstanding, beyond words. I felt truly exhausted afterwards.
Interestingly, on this tour the new album Drif is presented by only one track, Anoana, the band’s single release, which specially fits mood and atmosphere of the set. The main focus was still on Futha.
The ritual itself has not changed that much yet was enriched and brought to perfection in expressiveness, sound and lights. As already seen in 2019, there have been stage fights, fire performances, bondage art, and various single rituals. The attention was constantly alternating between the HEILUNG core members and all their warriors, guest musicians and vocalists and their actions. It was a huge spectacle, utmost intensive and deeply impressive. Just like Viking rituals are bequeathed. Or take Native Americans and their tribal rituals. Surely as mesmerizing as Viking rituals. What’s left to say? This show tonight definitely excelled my first experience. The whole evening was beyond everything. I can only reply: it was inconceivably breathtaking, outstanding, hypnotizing, just magic. I really would like to experience such ritual in real anywhere in the nature.
Band: Kai Uwe Faust, Maria Franz, Christopher Juul
Setlist: Opening Ceremony, In Maidjan, Alfadhirhaiti, Krigsgaldr, Hakkerskaldyr, Svanrand, Norupo, Othan, Traust, Anoana, Galgaldr, Elddansurin, Hamrer Hippyer, Closing Ceremony
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