HRH Vikings – Sheffield, O2 Academy – 1 December 2019

Words by Bona Pjarren. Photographs by Simon Dunkerley.

It’s Sunday at the O2 Academy in Sheffield and I arrive just in time to catch the end of Deus Mori. They are a Manchester band in an old black metal style, even down to the corpse paint. Ah, that brings back some memories! ‘And From the Trenches Bore Darkness’ is their EP, released in 2018. They are worth a listen.

Elderseer are next up. A doom pagan metal band, that automatically gets my thumbs up, incorporating Celtic and Slavic influences, double thumbs up. Carol is happily nodding along, obviously enjoying their dark ambient sonic landscapes, triple thumbs up…. Hold on! Where did I leave that other thumb? Hum! Have to use my wizardly ways and grow it back. I do like this sort of band and Elderseer do it particularly well. Big doomy riffs subtly entwine with folk to produce a wonderfully knot worked weave of desolation. With influences of bands such as Anathema and Woods of Ypres obvious in their style I also felt there was a touch of Amorphis about them, and I love Amorphis. Great band, great gig.

Atorc are a battle- hardened folk metal band established in 2012. They return to the main stage with their individual version of pagan metal. A great violin player and keys and an epic element to their sound. As well as pagan metal they have an orchestral element to them. It does not surprise me that they have been asked back to play again at this festival.

I am having to split my attention between Atorc and Wyrdstæf who are a fantastic Viking doom metal band but, unfortunately, I only managed to catch the end of their set. But having said that they put on one hell of a show. Combining modern electric instruments with traditional ancient instruments they have definitely forged a style of their own. I particularly loved their use of the frame drum. I definitely want to see more of their set in the future. PS The Darkside loved them and raved about them.

Wolvencrown are ambient black metal from Nottingham, a city with a great pedigree for producing quality metal bands, and Wolvencrown fit nicely into that scene. With seamless transitions from frantic to ambient and female melodic drones adding an ethereal spice to a creepily Gothic soundscape. The keys add a beauty to the underlying bleak riffs. This is a band with many facets. Initially some of the female vocals were very occasionally off, but I am wondering if this was a monitoring problem as she can obviously sing. I found them utterly mesmerising, this is modern black metal as it should be. One of the best bands of the weekend. The Darkside agrees.

Red Rum are always a bit of fun, and this time is no different. They are infectious in their enthusiasm. You can easily forgive them for being a bit rough around the edges as they are an out and out pirate metal party band. I can’t recount how many times I have seen them, but they always make me smile. The crowd is enthusiastically bopping about and really getting into the party spirit. What more can I say?

Necronautical are yet another black metal band, and the corpse paint is very much in evidence. Formed in 2010 by the three original members, Russ Dobson, James Goodwin, and Matt McGing. They were probably more experimental in the past but felt their sound suited the black metal scene more. They are a very accomplished band, but I think I have been spoiled by some of the previous bands. I did like some of the clean singing elements which did add to the atmosphere of doom. However, Carol informed me I left too soon, and they did become more experimental. I think that is one of the problems with splitting between two rooms.

Cruachan bring an overtly traditional folk metal with a definite leaning towards Irish jigs and reels, (or, as The Darkside, calls it ‘diddly diddly music’): well they are from Dublin. Formed in the 1990s they are widely recognised as one of the founding bands of the folk metal scene and arguably done more than most to spread the popularity of this genre. Consummate musicians they quickly draw the crowd into their distinctive style of music. The crowd are eager to join in and participate with the band which is always a good sign for a live band. There were the very, very occasional tuning issues, (in fairness the violin is notoriously hard to master and very susceptible to atmospheric conditions). But, overall, they put in a very strong set and they really got me into the party spirit. ‘The Morrigan’s Call’ is a great song and was performed with gusto.

The behemoths that are Heidevolk take to the stage for their much-anticipated set. They are purveyors of some of the most epic pagan folk on the circuit today. With Gregorian style four-part harmonies they are instantly recognisable. Great songs like ‘Winter Woede’ are delivered with energy to an adoring crowd. ‘Het Bier Zal Weer Vloeien’ is their tribute to the shortening winter nights leading to the Solstice. They launch into a version of ‘Tiwaz’ – what a great song and again a real crowd pleaser. ‘Saksenland’ had to feature and what a rousing version they did. I don’t think I have ever seen Heidevolk put in an under-par performance, they are always on top of their game. As it was Jacco’s birthday the crowd sung to him and he was obviously moved (in the direction of the exit). And it wouldn’t be a Heidevolk gig without a version of ‘Vugaris Magistalis’, a song about a mammoth riding giant: who wouldn’t appreciate that?

And all too soon it’s the last band. But what a band. The mighty Moonsorrow. This is a great Finnish band that are hard to pigeon-hole. With progressive and folk influences, particularly from the Nordic and Finnish culture they have a sound all of their own. And let’s face it not many bands would want to follow or be able to follow Heidevolk. I readily admit I have been a fan since hearing ‘Kivenkantaja’ and have played ‘Matkan Lopussa’ on more than one occasion on my radio show. They have seven studio albums to their credit as well as various EPs and demos. This is the third time I have seen them live and they never disappoint. They have a musically descriptive way of writing, summoning visions of the astounding landscapes of their country of origin. They readily bring to life the rich heritage of their native traditions. With superb version of ‘Jumalten Kaupunki’ and songs like ‘Jotunheim’ there is a lot to admire in this truly original band. ‘Haaska (Carrion)’ is another song featured. And they couldn’t leave without an encore which is the aforementioned ‘Jotenheim’, giant home and the performance has been gigantic. It’s times like this that inspire me to learn more about Finnish folklore.

HRH Vikings III has been confirmed for the weekend of 28-29 November 2020, again at Sheffield’s O2 Academy.