Ah, the final day of a festival always brings mixed emotions with another full day to look forward to, but also the crashing down to reality as soon as it is over. However, there were some absolute gems on the line up for the final day at Midgardsblot, including a very special anniversary show by Einherjer to be held in the intimate confines of the magnificent Gildehallen opening the day.
With this spurring me on, I hiked up the coast to the festival site and made my way into the hall getting my spot early as I anticipated it would get full quickly, which of course it did.
As if the prospect of seeing such a legendary band up close in such an intimate setting wasn’t enough, long term Einherjer collaborator and renowned artist Costin Chioreanu would be on the stage painting during the set with his work being projected onto a screen above the band adding an extra visual dimension and making the set even more memorable.
The stage was set up, complete with Costin’s “desk” in the corner with a camera suspended above it as the band and Costin took to the stage to a cheer of approval. If I recall correctly, the show opened with ‘Ballad of the Swords’ and it was obvious that this was going to be something special.
There was a special connection between the crowd, especially those in the front rows, and the band. The set unfolded with more mellow tracks being aired until ‘Berserkergan’ saw the tempo increase a little.
The picture above the stage was really taking form now with a viking helmet becoming apparent.
There was then a live premiere of ‘A New Earth’ from 1998 which was great to hear before we got ‘Dragons of the North’ and ‘Ironbound’ closing the set corresponding with the painting being finished.
The band then hung around posing for photos and handing out plectrums before heading to their signing session. It had been a privilege to have been present at such an intimate show by this legendary band.
It was tempting to go to the signing session, but there was no time as Danish progressive black metal band Orm were about to take to the Kaupangr stage. I have been listening to this band a lot in recent years and was really looking forward to catching them and seeing how their material translates to the live setting.
I was not disappointed as Orm delivered a ferocious black metal onslaught interspersed with serene atmospheric interludes which was perfectly suited to the grey skies and drizzle of the mid afternoon.
Completely uncompromising and immense in stature, the band pummelled through one epic masterpiece after another effortlessly surpassing my hopes and expectations.
There was a complete change in mood back on the main stage for the renowned Garmarna and their eclectic electronic folk/folk rock.
The had pulled a big crowd who were in good spirits and proceeded to sing and dance along enthusiastically.
The violin was prominent within the melodies but special mention must go to Emma Härdelin whose vocals were absolutely sublime, powerful without being overbearing and effortlessly carrying the melody of the tracks.
One minute the band were playing a powerful ballad and the next an upbeat jig, and the set passed quickly.
In my effort to catch as many bands as possible I headed back to the Kaupangr stage to catch MÍO, who I have to admit were unknown to me prior to my festival research.
Nonetheless, they were an interesting proposition and I was looking forward to them as were a small but enthusiastic crowd who had gathered. Opening with ‘Alene’, the colourfully dressed and smiling band took to the stage, and were soon energetically moving around the stage, not least vocalist Dionisia Fjelldalen who didn’t stand still.
Their folk music had clear influences from punk, prog and jazz and was enjoyed by the select few who had made their way to the Kaupangr area.
In contrast, a huge crowd had assembled at the main stage in readiness for Mari Boine and her Sami folk rock. Mari is a legendary artist in the Norwegian folk music community and has been widely recognised for her contribution to Norwegian music and representing the Sami community. Suffice to say her appearance at Midgardsblot was a big deal. As soon as her set began, the adulant crowd were under the spell with the music being choral, almost spiritual in its effect.
As the set progressed, some of the tunes became more upbeat and to me felt relaxing, washing away some of the melancholy generated by the earlier tracks. The crowd lapped up the sublime vocal performance, augmented by drum and guitars and this felt like it had been something special to witness.
Although we were approaching the end of the festival, there were still some absolute gems to come, not least Swedish black metal outfit Naglfar on the Kaupangr stage who took no prisoners with the opening duo of “And The World Shall Be Your Grave” and “The Darkest Road”.
Kristoffer, on vocals, looked the very personification of Beelzebub with his short beard and bald head as he prowled around the stage, glaring at those in the front rows.
A decent crowd had gathered and were treated to a masterclass in melodic black metal as a sound track for the big pit which swirled to the likes of ‘Feeding Moloch’, ‘A Swarm of Plagues’ and set closer ‘Harvest’.
More black metal followed on the main stage courtesy of Norwegian black metal titans Tsjuder. Taking to the stage in the rain with their trademark corpse paint and spikes the Norwegians unleashed a barrage of black metal stirring up the lively crowd.
Live favourite ‘Kill for Satan’ came early with the aggression and intensity we have come to expect from Tsjuder. ‘Sodomizing the Lamb’ was perhaps an unexpected highlight for me as the pit kept going, as well as a few beer fuelled one man pits opening up in the peripheries of the crowd.
This set had been one of my undoubted highlights of the entire festival.
All too soon we were at the final act on the Kaupangr stage, but what a way to finish, Mortiis. With his early roots in Emperor, Mortiis is always assured of a warm welcome from the black metal community, but since 1993 he has gone in a darker, more ambient, electronic direction with his dark dungeon synth.
Taking to the stage in the rain with his trademark facemask prosthetics and dreadlocks, Mortiis was initially hard to see behind a desk, in dark lighting and thick smoke (giving the photographers a challenge!) creating a dense, enthralling atmosphere that was impossible to resist and pulled in all of those who had ventured to the Kaupangr area as the atmospheric, melancholic melodies penetrated the drizzle. This was the perfect setting for Mortiis and although I dare say some of the crowd were unfamiliar with his work, everyone in attendance lapped it up, including me, and I will be looking for an opportunity to catch him again soon.
Keeping the melancholy and closing the festival were Yorkshire’s legendary My Dying Bride who received a rapturous reception from the Midgardsblot faithful as they opened with the glorious ‘Your River’.
The riffs were heavy, the melodies epic and Stainthorpe’s vocal exquisite as ‘Like Gods of the Sun’ and ‘Catherine Blake’ created an atmosphere of irresistible yearning desolation.
Big, dense, melodic slabs rolled from the stage crashing into an adulant crowd who soaked up every minute detail and all too soon the set was brought to a close with the epic ‘Turn Loose the Swans’, closing what had been a truly magnificent few days.
Once again, the Midgardsblot team had delivered a unique experience, combining an eclectic mix of extreme metal and Nordic folk/folk rock and so much more, not least the exploration and recreation of Viking heritage and culture.
The festival is welcoming, family friendly and well organised. It is small enough to feel intimate and yet big enough to attract major acts. I cannot recommend this festival highly enough if you have even a passing interest in any of these areas. See you next year!
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Review & Photos: Andy Pountney
@shot_in_the_dark_photography2
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