As I’ve mentioned previously, one of the nice things about this festival is that it is not just about the music, it is so much more. On the final day, I took the opportunity to explore the Midgard Vikingsenter a little more, and to stroll around the burial mounds, taking in the atmosphere and spending a few moments to contemplate the profound importance of this historical site.

I finally made it into the festival site to catch my first band of the day, Vanvidd. Dressed in torn, tattered clothes, their blackened folk metal got the small crowd jigging.

Violins, keyboard and an accordion accompanied the more traditional metal instruments and the heavy yet fun approach provided the perfect start to the day and helped shake away any hangovers.

Folket Bortafor Nordavinden followed on the Valhalla stage. Usually I catch them several times during the festival as they are, in effect, the house band and perform numerous times. However this was my first time seeing them this year for some reason.

I was really pleased to have the opportunity to become reacquainted with their shamanistic Nordic sounds, effortlessly blending throat singing and ethereal melodies with a big dose of humour between the songs. Vocal harmonies, frame drums and throat singing came together in perfect harmony with Gustav and Benny joined by several guest musicians including Runahild and Eldrim.

The crowd were thoroughly entertained by both the music and the japes between the songs showing exactly why Folket Bortafor Nordavinden are such an institution at Midgardsblot.

I dashed back to the Helheim stage to appropriately catch none other than Helheim! Their Viking, epic black metal was glorious in the afternoon sunshine. This perhaps was not their natural habitat but it worked well as the powerful melodies of tracks such as ‘Ni s solu sot’ and ‘Jormungand’ were appreciated by those who had made their way onto the site early.

The band did not rely on frills or gimmicks and simply let the music take centre stage, and it was colossal.

There was more Norwegian black metal back on the Valhalla stage but this was of a more raw approach.

Koldbrann’s vitriolic black metal was no-nonsense and was appropriately battering from the opening track ‘Ingen Skånsel’ right through to the closing track ‘Totalt Sjelelig Bankerott’.

There was a change of atmosphere back on the Helheim stage for Swedish Nordic folk project Hindarfjäll. There were multiple vocal harmonies and traditional instruments which provided sublime folk melodies as the perfect accompaniment to the late afternoon sunshine.

The set was completed with a guest appearance from Johan Hegg of Amon Amarth providing some gruff guest vocals, which sat perfectly with Hindarfjäll’s dark Scandinavian folk.

Things took another swerve in musical direction back on the Valhalla stage with Kælan Mikla. The Icelandic Trio’s electro synth rock was perhaps a little out of keeping with the rest of the bill but the exquisite vocals and screams/harsh vocals blended well during early tracks ‘Örlögin’ and ‘Kalt.’

They soon won over a decent sized crowd who had gathered to experience something a little different, enjoying the trio’s set before it was brought to a close with ‘Hvítir Sandar’.

Back on the Helheim stage were Norway’s Borknagar, a band who surely need no introduction. Over the years their sound may have evolved but their glorious, progressive extreme metal was perfectly suited to this festival.

Newer tracks such as ‘True North’ and ‘Voices’ nestled comfortably alongside old favourites such as the massive ‘Oceans Rise’.

Simen Hestnæs was in fine voice and their set was a highlight of the festival for me.

Keeping the momentum going, there was another opportunity for a live rarity back on the Valhalla stage. Oslo’s Ym:stammen were scheduled to perform their first concert in 23 years and this promised to be something special. Back in the 80s and 90s the band’s post punk approach was revered in the metal underground and many consider them to have been influential on the early Norwegian black metal scene.

I had never had the opportunity to catch them live before and as such I relished this opportunity. A sizeable crowd had gathered including a cluster against a barrier who I can only presume were relatives of the band and enthusiastically sung along with every word. Opening with ‘Budbringere’ the punky, folky tunes were a little different to most on the bill but also felt completely relevant and in keeping with the atmosphere of the festival. As for me the band were not quite as abrasive as I expected but I thoroughly enjoyed their set.

I headed back to the main Helheim stage in good time for the next band as they were one of the bands I was looking forward to most. Talking to other people at the festival it seems opinion was divided with very few maintaining a middle ground. People either loved Zeal & Ardor or simply did not get them.

I tried to convert as many to the cause as possible and was successful in all but one case as far as I know! Blending blues, gospel and extreme/black metal, Zeal & Ardor have carved out their own niche and are always extremely powerful on stage. The band took to the stage with five members lined up across the front of the stage.

The three vocalists were in the middle, with Manuel Gagneux in the centre and the guitarist and bassist bringing up the flanks. The drummer was lurking in the shadows the background. When the band unleash they are simply immense but this blends well with their more serene moments.

For me, the set was full of highlights but standout moments included ‘Blood in the River’, ‘Gravedigger’s Chant’ and of course ‘Devil is Fine’. The band are touring later this year and I would implore anybody with an interesting heavy music to attend the shows with an open mind. You won’t be disappointed, in my humble opinion.

My penultimate band of the festival were Nordic heavy-metal masters Einherjer. The band have a long history of over 20 years and during that time have pushed the boundary of Nordic extreme metal. Their heritage is clearly important to them and this is shown through their lyrics.

This set was no exception, as they opened with ‘West Coast Groove’ and proceeded to unleashed one powerful anthem after another, including ‘The blood and The Iron’, ‘Ironbound’ and of course ‘Dragons of the North’, which were perfect on this stage next to the magnificent Gildehallen.

Midgardsblot back in 2017, which was only the band’s second ever live performance and it has been fantastic to watch the band grow since that time. Let’s be clear, this show was not a concert – it was part theatre and part ritual. Of course, the music was wonderful but it was not the whole story and that is why attending a Heilung show in person is such an awe-inspiring experience.

Hypnotic drum rhythms underpin Heilung’s music with traditional instruments, throat singing and Maria Franz’s outstanding vocals. The band had backing vocalists on stage with them and of course a stage set with plenty of foliage and other adornments.

The vocal harmonies were simply immense. They sounded so organic and powerful it was impossible not to be transfixed by this performance. It would seem wrong to pick out individual tracks as their set was really one piece of art and should be considered such. Having said that,’Krigsgaldr’ was absolutely outstanding and Maria’s vocals sent a tingle down my spine.

The traditional warriors seemed to play an ever-increasing part in the performance with their spears banging on the shields providing part of the percussion and the warriors taking part in the show. I understand this was the final show of the Futha ritual but the band will soon be touring the new album Drif and will have a new ritual for this.

Personally, I’ll be catching them as many dates as possible.

With that, my Midgardsblot was over for another year. It had been a fantastic few days with some truly wonderful performances. There is no other festival like this and it really is special. I’ve already bought my early bird ticket for next year and there can be no bigger recommendation than that. Skål.

Review and Photos: Andy Pountney

@shot_in_the_dark_photography2

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