The band package itself already promises a great concert evening. But that this evening would turn out to be so utmost funny… well ;) SWALLOW THE SUN and INSOMNIUM have just released new albums, real masterpieces and both albums of the month on NH. Also the latest output ov OMNIUM GATHERUM (The Redshift) also knew how to blow us away, so musically things were set to the max. Additionally I was joined by lovely Wiebke (Hotel666), the perfect chaos duo *lol* and later two another photographers hooked up with us, perfect party companion... ;)
Of course, things didn’t kick in smoothly and without some chaos… first I had to fight to get my shift changed, making this evening even possible (again), but luckily this part was blown over quickly ;) Then the (I should have expected) fight with the car-traffic followed, before Münster, in Münster and on the way to Essen (WTF… it’s already Christmas??? Err… Advent? Damn… Münster was full of Christmas market visitors). Nevertheless we made to Essen more or less on time though, BUT the Turock crew didn’t take liberties with the announced times. Despite of the following disco the show’s kick off was pushed back for an half hour. Why the fuck we so terribly rushed about?

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Anyways, the Turock was well-crowded and :: OMNIUM GATHERUM :: had a walk-over when storming the stage. Literally! Especially singer Jukka left nothing than scorched earth right from the first second, whirling like a (howling) dervish over the stage. His singing was strange, but that might be due to the fact that I was to close too the monitors or the sound engineer did a bad job. However, his band mates didn’t fall any short and played their asses off, electrifying the crowd and making them head-banging as if there were no tomorrow. Was a great look to see the first moshing that wild ;) OMNIUM GATHERUM was downright thrilled and gave everything possible :) Sweaty first 30 minutes!
Setlist: Nail, The Perfumed Garden, The Return, No Breaking Point, A Shadowkey, Spiritual, Chameleon Skin, Son's Thoughts

Since it was even more crowded now and our “first-row-places” precious we didn’t depart any millimeter, leaving the bar unattended in order to get everything from :: INSOMNIUM :: Already with the introducing Terminator-theme hairs got raised and with the opening “smash-hit” Down With The Sun audience lapsed into collective frenzy. The Turock was running wild or so. I couldn’t believe what was going on here. Unbelievable. Really! INSOMNIUM were likewise stunned but of course enjoyed the crazy feedback, while fronter Niilo couldn’t stop to say thank you ;)
After a 45 minutes journey the show saw way too fast its end and INSOMNIUM left the stage. People started screaming, clapping, chanting, stomping and whistling. In an ear-battering loudness. The Turock quaked. Long and persistent. Never ever experienced this before in the Turock club. Incredible! BUT, as it was so utterly stupid… the band was not allowed to come back. If they would have started at the announced time, INSOMNIUM would have been able to play an encore! *aaaaaarrrrrgh* When drummer Markus came back to remove his kit he was frenetically welcomed like a super star. Ok, he was shocked by this, waving aside and hurrying to get his stuff off stage *lol*
Seems like INSOMNIUM do it similar as their fellow mates from Ghost Brigade, taking the fans by storm on this tour. Even the merch was sold out at parts.
Setlist: Intro, Down With The Sun, Drawn To Black, The Killjoy, Where The Last Wave Broke, The Harrowing Years, The Gale, Mortal Share, Weighed Down With Sorrow

Afterwards it got much quieter with :: SWALLOW THE SUN :: although the new album has significant Black Metal traits. Only the one or the other was head-banging, instead you could watch into misty-eyed and smiling faces. Of course SWALLOW THE SUN played a couple of songs from their brand new album New Moon. But I found the singing of Mikko was too quiet, especially at the clean parts as in Falling World for example. Too bad. On the other hand it seemed that Mikko has drunk chat-water in gallons. I never ever have seen him talking that much ;) The Finns played in fact another great show and this time there was even an encore allowed, only the fans seemed to be… speechless. It required some animation till the fans finally opened their mouths to call for an encore, which was willingly granted. It was a bit sad for SWALLOW THE SUN, because Insomnium were for sure the winner of the evening. Only little downer was once again the bad lights. Damn, there is such a great lightning system…one need just to use it properly!
Setlist: These Woods Breathe Evil, Falling World, Out Of This Gloomy Light, Sleepless Swans, Plague Of Butterflies, Don't Fall Asleep, Hope, Servant Of Sorrow, New Moon, Descending Winters // The Giant, Swallow

All in all a great concert evening, leading over into a likewise grandiose disco/aftershow party. Music was just awesome (in the beginning) and cocktails twisted Wiebke’s mind, letting her dance on the table, which was radically stopped by the bar-keeper. All Finns got collectively hammered and once unleashed they were full of… strange ideas and actions *laughs* But what was utmost cute to experience was the fact how they dealt with each other. They cuddled each other, and bopped and kissed and stroke and cared. Absolutely lovely. Really cute! To quote Wiebke here: “In Finland there gays, heteros and… Rock bands!” *lol*
We got swept early in the morning and to complete this evening I made in 20 minutes from Essen to Münster to get us in our beds. Just hope there was no green mouse couching with a fleshless flesh. On the other hand… who cares, my license is already off. Hahaha. Fuck, what a great night!

story & pics © Dajana