A double header of pretty unique bands hit Glasgow this evening, ready to warm us all up despite the cloudy skies and permanent drizzle. In fact, the weather reminded me very much of the one time I visited Iceland. Much as Reykjavik was a lovely, atmospheric city I’d have liked it to be lovely, atmospheric and warm… But did choose to go there in January.
Obviously I mentioned Iceland as tonight’s opening act hail from this very nation. The last time I personally saw them live was nine years ago, across town at the Classic Grand. Quite why I’ve not seen them since is beyond me as they’re one of the best live bands I’ve encountered in many years. Not so much in terms of excitement and crowd interaction, that’s not really their thing, but in sheer musical ability. Watching Skálmöld is more like a grand orchestral concert than a regular metal gig, or at least it is for us non-Icelandic speakers.
This is a boon and a curse. I’d love to know more about what’s going on in the songs and sing along, but this isn’t quite so easy with them not being in my only native tongue. However, metal fans will always find a way and the end result is hearing the audience singing the melodies rather than the lyrics! I’m sure many of you will have been to a Europe show and heard the whole crowd singing “that” riff at the start of “The Final Countdown”. Well this happens throughout a Skálmöld gig.
Skálmöld songs are all about the riff and the melody (as I was told during the interview before the show), and this is what makes them so damn engaging, even if you don’t understand the words. This is why they can hammer out an hour of music and have a packed audience quite literally bouncing and ending the set with sore throats. That and the fact that they’re singing about bloodshed and violence (I gather), yet are smiling for the whole show. Their joy and enthusiasm is hugely infectious.
Then there’s the variety within the songs, which just blends effortlessly. One moment they’re churning out something really doomy, the next you’re snapping your neck to a minute to scouring thrash beats, then it’s slow and soulful. All this while all six members cover vocal duties, three guitars work around each other, the rhythm pairing keep everything ticking over and barefoot Gunnar Ben makes it all sound so much bigger with his keyboards. This musical complexity is why it takes them so long to rehearse and nail a song to perform it live, and why they deserve so much credit for doing so. For each band member it’s like patting their head, rubbing their belly, Riverdancing, and gargling the Icelandic and Finnish national anthems simultaneously. With custard.
There were no surprises in the set list, nothing new (that won’t be revealed for a good few weeks yet), but that just meant we were hammered by classics. Börn Loka and Sorgir gave us the bulk of the set, but there was no way they’d leave the building alive if they’d not tagged “Að vetri” and “Kvaðning” to the end. The whole show was simply superb. Yes, OK, I love them to bits so I’m biased but I’m pretty sure you’d get the same reaction from everyone present. Even Sean (who was there for the headliners) was suitable impressed.
All I can say is that I will do my damnedest to ensure it’s not almost a decade before I see them live again. I’m already lining up Wacken…
[Skálmöld review by Mosh]
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As soon as I became aware that Finntroll were returning to Glasgow I had to go to the gig. It’s been a long 9 years since their fateful show which brought me to Moshville Times, and made me a big Finntroll fan. Coincidentally supporting tonight is Skálmöld who were also supporting at that 2014 show. Plus teaming up with Mosh for the gig coverage meant this one wasn’t to be missed.
I regret to say I’ve not followed Skálmöld much since our introduction however tonight showed me what I’ve missed. Epic tunes, hooky riffs and an awesome blend of vocals from the band performed on point. With my post-gig Spotify session with Skálmöld planned, the time of the hunt is nigh.
Roars fill the air as the lights go down and the intro track plays, the noise rising and falling as Finntroll take to the stage. It’s unfortunate there’s no live keyboards present, substituted for backing tracks, however it’s not a let-down. From Vreth’s first scream in opener “Att Döda med en Sten” the band are in full force, bringing the crowd with them.
Necks are wringing both onstage and off through the bombastic blast of “Nedgång” and the blackened swing of “Ylaren”. Everyone’s having a good time rocking out the troll way. It’s joyous to look up from a moshing moment to see a handful of folk in the pit dad-dancing and spinning arm-in-arm to the bouncy humppa sounds and thrashing beats throughout the set. The good-time energy is flowing back and forth between the stage and floor through the cheery riff of “Den Frusna Munnen” before Finntroll ramp the energy up for “Solsagan”. Vreth calls for the troll hordes to grunt along and though I’m not sure how many heed it, I’m certainly making up for those who stay silent.
The setlist overall is a greatest hits selection with every album represented. Classic cuts like “Svartberg” and “Slaget vid Blodsälv” go down a storm alongside the newer numbers like “Ormfolk”. It’s clear Finntroll are having fun onstage, especially given the Vredesvävd tour has been postponed twice. The occasional grin shines through the warpaint beneath the flailing manes and Skrymer’s bobbing bowler hat as the band nail each heavy hook. Vreth encourages more chant-alongs for the melancholic swing of “Nattfödd” and their biggest banger, party anthem “Trollhammeren”, which never fails to invoke beastly roars and bouncing bodies amongst the mighty horde.
The time to leave is imminent but once the catchy opening riffage of “Skogsdotter” fills the air, I’m compelled to take in as much as I can before sprinting to the bus home. Finntroll and Skálmöld both killed it. Tight top notch performances from all the band members and fun energy all night. The only way it would have been better would be if they could have played for longer – I only wish I could have stayed right to the end to catch the classics I missed! I’ve been dying to see Finntroll again again since our introduction and they definitely didn’t disappoint, only leaving me hungry for the next time I can see them.
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Pics by Mosh
