Less than a week after my 2025-concert-year-kick-off with Thronehammer, the next evening follows in the :: Turbinenhalle 2 :: in Oberhausen. And it's... packed!
Finnish death metal icons INSOMNIUM are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their magnus opus Shadows Of The Dying Sun, released on April 29, .2014. Rated 10 out of 10 by us (review here). They could have celebrated the 20th anniversary of Since The Day It All Came Down at the same time, also a 10 out of 10 masterpiece, but they didn't. Perhaps there was already a corresponding tour 10 years ago. With almost 30 years of band history and nine albums under their belt, INSOMNIUM should have no shortage of anniversaries in the future, for which they can put together wonderfully unique tours and shows.
In any case, the Finns took the anniversary as an opportunity for a rather short but intensive concert tour, on which Shadows Of The Dying Sun was to be played in its entirety. They were joined by OMNIUM GATHERUM, who celebrated their 2013 album Beyond and also played it in full. An exclusive package that sold out halls here and there on this 14-day run. The venue on this evening was certainly close.
Interestingly, there was little press present, and even fewer photographers. Instead, the three noses in the pit were old warhorses who still used to stand in the pit with analog film cameras. Remember the days? Totally old school, or retro, or something ;)
The only minor annoyance of the evening was once again the fact that the venue had declared the start of the show as 8pm, but the first band was already on stage at 7:30pm. So, anyone who arrived “on time” probably missed HINAYANA. But word got around about this bad habit, because the place was packed right from the start. For those who actually missed HINAYANA: make sure you listen to them and watch them later, the festivals are still to come!
:: pics :: HINAYANA ::
So, the evening was opened by the American death/doom metallers :: HINAYANA ::, who have been inspiring me for some time now, especially with their second album Shatter And Fall. The Texans not only sound quite Finnish, albeit with an unmistakable southern rock flavor, but also seem to have close ties to Finland or rather to certain Finnish bands ;) Because HINAYANA's albums feature guests such as Tuomas Saukkonen (Before The Dawn, Dawn Of Solace, Wolfheart) and Toni Hatakka (Hanging Garden).
HINAYANA were enthusiastically received and also carried through their 40-minute set. Well, musically the audience was 100% in line, so nothing could go wrong ;) The space on stage was a bit limited, as all the equipment of the following bands was already up too. As for that, the changeover break was very short.
Musically, the Texans concentrated on their second and still current album Shatter And Fall and the previous EP Death Of The Cosmic. But there was also a brand-new track called Tempest Horizon, which gave a small taste of the band’s next album, which, according to founder Casey Hurd, will usher in a new era.
HINAYANA delivered a really great set in such a short time.
The guys looked tired and perhaps a little stiff, but otherwise... simply great.
Band: Casey Hurd (vox, git), Erik Shtaygrud (git), Matt Bius (bass), Daniel Vieira (drums), Michael Anstice (keys)
Setlist: Death Of The Cosmic, Cold Conception, In Sacred Delusion, Spirit And Matter, Tempest Horizon, Reverse The Code, Triptych Visions, A Tide Unturning
:: pics :: OMNIUM GATHERUM ::
After a short changeover, the show continued with :: OMNIUM GATHERUM ::. I've actually been following these guys for as long as I've known Insomnium, as you often get both bands in a double pack. At least for the last 15 years, since band founder Markus Vanhala has also been playing with Insomnium. For him, this tour once again meant double shifts. Every night. Respect for that!
I actually saw both bands live for the first time in 2009, together, on tour with Swallow The Sun. Must have been a legendary show, according to the live report from back then ;)
OMNIUM GATHERUM also play melodic death metal, but with a punky or hardcore touch and are therefore a bit harsher. I actually like the music a lot, but I never really warmed up to Jukka Pelkonen's voice and vocals, so I only listened to the band “on the side”. So to speak. Well, you can’t love them all ;)
OMNIUM GATHERUM had a bit of a hard time getting the audience going at first, but after Nightwalkers at the latest, the band had warmed up and were rocking. And in the end, I couldn't help but headbang my head and swing my hips myself.
The light show was rather so-so, too often the band remained in the dark. And when there was light, it was Pink. Seems to be the preferred color since the early days. Photographically rather a disaster ;)
The anniversary album Beyond was played from start to finish just like on the CD. The sound was more powerful, but the show was nowhere near as wild as I remember it from the past. Well, we're all getting older, right? ;) In any case, the audience got a good energy boost for the grand finale.
Band: Jukka Pelkonen (vox). Markus Vanhala (git), Nick Cordle (git), Erkki Silvennoinen (bass), Atte Pesonen (drums), Aapo Koivisto (keys)
Setlist: Luoto, New Dynamic, In The Rim, Nightwalkers, Formidable, The Sonic Sign, Who Could Say, The Unknowing, Living In Me, White Palace
:: pics :: INSOMNIUM ::
And yes, you couldn't miss and overhear who the fans were really here for :: INSOMNIUM :: ! Even INSOMNIUM flags appeared :)
Markus Vanhala just changed shoes, guitars and took off his battle vest and off they went. Already the instrumental introduction to the opener The Primeval Dark gave me goose bumps and I found it hard to concentrate on taking photos. This was not to change for the rest of the show ;) Luckily... in this case... we are only allowed to take photos of three songs, so that you can mosh afterwards without a guilty conscience (even if I would have liked to take photos from behind).
The band was celebrated frenetically with every song. The atmosphere was simply fantastic! Everything was just right: sound, light, music, and the guys on stage had smiles on their faces at all times.
Singer and bassist Niilo tried his German skills time and again, but in the end, it always came down to “bitteschön-dankeschön” (meaning “here you are” and “thank you” said as one word), occasionally supplemented with “gern geschehen” (you’re welcome). Of course, this always made for laughs and made the band incredibly affable and likeable. Awww, so lovely!
The set was clear from the start: Shadows Of The Dying Sun was played in its entirety in the regular order of the album. In the encore there was One For Sorrow, a very old classic, plus a current song (Lilian) and the bonus track Out To The Sea taken from the anniversary album's ltd. edition, which was also released on a split with Omnium Gatherum at the time. Actually, both bands could have played the song together, couldn't they? ;)
A truly brilliant show that I enjoyed until the very last second. And even though it's only mid-January, I'm already stating that this show is one of the highlights in 2025. So! I don't know if they recorded this show/tour, but if they did, it should make for a great live experience later on.
I also made my way home afterwards with a big grin on my face :) And I'm already starting the top 10 concert list...
Band: Niilo Sevänen (vox, bass), Markus Vanhala (git), Ville Friman (git), Markus Hirvonen (drums)
Setlist: The Primeval Dark, While We Sleep, Revelation, Black Heart Rebellion, Lose To Night, Collapsing Words, The River, Ephemeral, The Promethean Song, Shadows Of The Dying Sun // Out To The Sea, Lilian, One For Sorrow
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