This was the night every power metal fan in Scotland had been waiting for, a lineup of epic proportions that promised an unforgettable evening of soaring melodies, thunderous riffs, and larger than life performances. From the moment the first band hit the stage, the energy in the room was electric, and the atmosphere only grew more intense with each act. This was more than just a concert, it was a celebration of everything that makes power metal so captivating. Fans from all over the world had gathered, horns raised high, to witness a night that would be remembered for years to come.
By the time I entered the venue, Elvenking had already begun their set, but I was thrilled to find I’d arrived just in time for “Silverseal”, a song I’d been hoping to catch live and what a way to start my Pagan Fest experience! Despite missing the first couple of songs, I was immediately drawn into their set. While the sound mix wasn’t perfect (the vocals were noticeably louder than the rest of the band), Elvenking’s performance was still amazing.
The stage lighting shifted to an ominous red as a demonic, Nordic style vocal intro set the mood. Then the band exploded into their signature Elvenking greatness, taking the energy up several notches. When “Moonbeam Stone Circle” started, I couldn’t help but imagine dancing around a campfire with a tankard of ale in hand, it’s a chorus made for adventure and celebration.
One of the standout moments was the interaction between the crowd and the band. During the mid-section, the entire audience chanted “Hey, hey, hey!” alongside the singer, Damna, and drummer Symohn, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and just, pure fun. I also noticed that all the guitarists were using Kempers, which explained the beautifully crisp guitar tone, and there were three custom mic stands with Damna’s featuring the Elvenking logo. It’s always impressive to see that level of attention to detail, it definitely stands out.
Mid-set, “The Horned Ghost and the Sorcerer” brought in an unexpected twist with a breakdown that felt like it had been ripped straight from a Golden Axe cutscene. It was a nostalgic, adrenaline pumping moment that had me grinning from ear to ear.
Damna mentioned this was Elvenking’s first time playing in Scotland, and when he asked if there were any Elvenking fans in Edinburgh, the eruption of cheers proved just how loved they are here. They were lined up to play Ragnarok UK Metalfest in Perth in 2006, but the show had to be cancelled due to low ticket sales. They launched into a new song, “Luna,” a blistering, fast paced track that kept the energy high and everyone moving.
They ended their set with “Elvenlegions,” closing the show on a triumphant note. Damna encouraged the crowd to scream as loud as they could, and after adding that we had to be louder than England, the room erupted in an almighty roar. It was an electrifying finale to an incredible performance.
Elvenking has been at the forefront of folk influenced power metal since their formation in 1997. Combining melodic riffs, violin led folk elements, and epic choruses, they’ve carved out a unique niche in the genre. Their discography includes iconic albums like Heathenreel (2001) and The Pagan Manifesto (2014), which remain staples for fans of folk and power metal alike. Their ability to merge fantastical storytelling with high energy performances makes them a force to be reckoned with, as they proved once again at Pagan Fest. I would definitely recommend checking them out if you haven’t done so already.
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The atmosphere shifted as Heidevolk took the stage, opening their set with “Ver Verlangen” before entering into the sounds of rain and the uplifting Nordic style intro of “Hagalaz” that immediately set the tone for what was to come. The drummer Kevin and guitarists Koen and Mat appeared first, prompting an excited roar from the crowd, and then the two vocalists, Daniel Wansink and Jacco de Wijs, ran onstage with commanding presence. Their energy made an instant statement, this was going to be a performance to remember.
The contrast between the two singers was striking but complementary. Jacco, with his long hair and Viking inspired attire, delivered powerful, melodic screams, while Daniel’s deep, guttural growls brought an Amon Amarth like intensity to the mix. Despite their contrasting styles, the harmony and balance between their voices were absolutely spot on, creating a dynamic and war chant like vocal performance that was impossible not to join in.
Performing primarily in Dutch, Heidevolk showcased their signature blend of folk inspired heavy metal, which I can only describe as a mix of classic heavy rock, Celtic death metal, and Nordic ship rowing chants. It sounds unconventional on paper, but live, it’s absolutely unreal. The powerful anthem “Wolf in My Heart” was one of my highlights of the set, a song I had been eager to hear live.
Midway through, the band treated us to the big Viking style chant, “Schildenmuur” making the crowd feel like we were in a great hall celebrating a victorious feast. “De Strijd Duurt Voort” stood out for its unique blend of death metal, classic metal verses, and chant like ship rowing sections. It ended in an unexpected moment of pure silence followed by an evil laugh from Jacco, a touch of theatricality that added to the experience.
Heidevolk’s stage presence was as impressive as their sound. The smoke geysers and oversized drinking horns added a dramatic flair, with the vocalists leading a short chant before taking a drink in true Viking fashion. As their set drew to a close, they played the first song from their debut album, De Strijdlust Is Geboren, released 20 years ago. Seeing how much they still enjoyed performing it after all this time was a testament to their passion and enduring connection to their music.
Before their final song, Daniel asked the crowd, “Are you ready to drink with the gods? Will you be loud enough to sing with me and let Valhalla hear us?” The audience’s response was deafening. The closing track, “Drinking with the Gods”, was a raucous, celebratory anthem that had the entire venue singing along. During the breakdowns, the guitarists and bassist took over with low, droning chant like vocals, while one of Daniel wielded a massive horn as a staff, rhythmically pounding it against the stage.
The finale, which included a crowd wide chant of “A’OOW,” had everyone clapping, waving, and fully immersed in the energy. As Heidevolk left the stage, the crowd’s enthusiasm echoed in the room, a fitting end to another phenomenal performance.
Seeing Týr again after so many years was something I’d been eagerly anticipating, and they did not disappoint. Opening with “By the Sword in My Hand,” they wasted no time in captivating the crowd, setting the stage for what would be an unforgettable performance.
By the time they hit their second song “Axes”, the venue was alive with crowd surfers and an electrifying reception, Týr had truly claimed the night.
The third song, “Regin Smiður”, was a standout moment. Two beams of light shot up from the stage, illuminating vocalist and guitarist Heri Joensen as he began a hauntingly beautiful Faroese chant. Týr’s use of Faroese folk elements always sets them apart. Their chants and melodies feel so unique compared to other Nordic influences we’d heard throughout the night.
When they launched into “Blood of Heroes”, the crowd went wild. Nearly everyone was singing along, and the energy in the room was palpable. One thing that stood out was the sound quality, it was almost album perfect. Every note, every vocal line, and every riff came through crystal clear. Every time I’ve seen Týr, they’ve been incredible, and tonight was no exception.
Then came the crushingly heavy “Hail to the Hammer”, a track that brought out some serious slow motion headbanging from the crowd. The sludgy, heavy riffs combined with those piercing pinch harmonics had everyone entranced. Watching both guitarists Heri Joensen and Hans Hammer having so much fun on stage was a joy in itself.
The singer engaged the audience masterfully, leading us in a call-and-response chant that gradually built up as the drums and guitars joined in, culminating in the powerful “Dragons Never Die.” It was a goosebump inducing moment that perfectly captured Týr’s ability to unite the crowd with their anthemic sound.
During the set, I spoke with a friend who said to his partner who was seeing Týr for the first time and said, “You are just about to see the happiest bassist you’ve ever seen.” Sure enough, Gunnar Thomsen lived up to the description, delivering his performance with a smile that radiated pure joy and energy, making it impossible not to grin along.
As the band briefly left the stage, ominous music filled the venue, and the audience broke into a spontaneous “Here we go!” chant. Týr returned for their final song, announcing this was as close as they’d be to home on this tour, and launched into the ultimate Viking anthem. They started with the crowd chanting and clapping along, building tension before tearing into “Hold the Heathen Hammer High.”
The performance reached a fever pitch as Hans Hammer dashed around the stage, channelling pure Angus Young energy, delivering blistering solos while keeping the crowd fired up. It was the perfect way to close their set, a triumphant, energetic performance that left everyone buzzing.
Týr proved once again why they’re a force to be reckoned with in the world of Nordic-inspired metal. Their blend of Faroese folk elements, masterful musicianship, and commanding stage presence makes them a band I’ll never tire of seeing live.
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Ensiferum’s set was so captivating that I frequently forgot I was supposed to be reviewing it. I was too engrossed in their incredible performance, and honestly, I can’t blame myself, it was just that good!
They opened with an uplifting intro that perfectly set the stage for the chaos to follow. Wasting no time, they launched into “Fatherland”, a fast-paced anthem that got the crowd roaring right from the start. What I’ve always loved about Ensiferum is that every member of the band sings. Midway through the first track, the keyboardist Pekka Montin stepped forward and absolutely commanded the stage, taking over the second verse with his powerful vocals. It was impossible not to be swept up in the energy.
By the second song, “Twilight Tavern”, the crowd was fully engaged, chanting along with the band. At one point, a Björn Ironside lookalike crowd surfed to the front of the stage, triumphantly raising an empty horn tankard, which added a touch of Viking drama to the moment. Meanwhile, bassist Sami Hinkka and guitarist Markus Toivonen were running all over the stage, feeding off the energy of the crowd. Sami, with his long hair, beard, kilt and commanding presence, looked like a Scottish Johan Hegg of Amon Amarth, delivering thunderous basslines while clearly loving every second of it.
Pekka Montin deserves a special mention, his vocal performance was nothing short of spectacular. His high notes soared effortlessly, leaving the crowd audibly awestruck. Every time he screamed a piercing high note, the audience responded with an almost primal cheer. The sheer power and range of his voice were a highlight of the night by far.
The setlist continued to thrill, and one track stood out for its sheer unpredictability. “Two of Spaces” was an absolutely chaotic mix of rock, punk, disco, and pure Ensiferum madness, a song that defied genre norms with a full-blown disco breakdown in the middle of it. It was so unexpected yet so perfectly executed that it had the entire venue erupting in laughter and applause.
They closed their set with the iconic “Iron”. Before starting, frontman Petri Lindroos joked about the song having two names “Dat da da da” (mimicking its unforgettable melody) and “Fucking Iron”. This track is a certified crowd pleaser, and the energy in the room reached its peak. The entire band gave it their all, and by the end, the crowd was chanting along and waving their hands in unison.
Ensiferum’s ability to blend serious musicianship with a sense of fun and adventure is unmatched. They delivered a performance that was equal parts ferocious and entertaining, leaving the crowd buzzing with excitement long after the final note.
Photos by Angela Heeb (Skull Lens)
