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Live Reviews : Moonsorrow, Asylum Butchery & Oath of Damnation @ The Gov, Adelaide 21/11/2013

By on November 22, 2013

Adelaide is tonight proud to welcome none other than Finland’s crusaders of epic heathen metal Moonsorrow who are making their second stop on their first ever Australian tour. Having played their style of metal all over the world, it’s finally time for this corner of the earth to experience all that is Moonsorrow. But first, we have some awesome Adelaide bands to build the evening to a crescendo.

Moonsorrow Australia Tour

First up was Oath of Damnation who provided 30 minutes of what can only be described as a symphonic death metal sermon that was both visually and musically intense. A hellacious sounding band with gutterall vocals that would rip through the lungs of hell, Oath of Damnation’s performance made a big statement. With the crowd slowly building up over time, Asylum Butchery hit the stage with a brutal energy and force that automatically had heads banging. With an barrage of massive riffage, some awesome drumming and extreme growling vocals, Asylum Butchery put in a united assault over their half hour performance.

No sooner had the supporting bands completed their sets that a small crowd ran straight to the front of the stage eagerly awaiting the appearance of Moonsorrow. As soon as the lights dimmed and the opening keys to Tyven began, all those in attendance rushed the stage as the band walked on to a hero’s welcome before belting into Sankarihauta. Despite playing a venue that is somewhat larger than most other live venues around Adelaide, Moonsorrow proved formidable figures with their heavily painted presence. Playing with crushing power, the band had the bald heads banging and the long hair swinging as they played through songs inlcuding Ukkosenjumalan Poika, Raunioilla and Kivenkantaja with the conclusion to each song being met with rapturous appreciation. The sound was mixed perfectly, with the combination of technical ability and energy from all members provding a big musical landscape to these larger than life songs. The effective use of lighting and smoke effects only added to the atmosphere and provided an extra layer of depth to the performance.

The level of appreciation from the crowd, who are used to seeing many a metal band fly straight over their city, was not lost on the band. Thanking the crowd between numbers, the band even managed to spark up some decent converstion about whether or not the crowd would like to come and live in Finland where there ‘is total f**king darkness!’. Powering their way through Pimea, Kylan Paasa and Jotunheim, the crowd were asked if they wanted to hear a couple more. Naturally the answer was a resounding yes! With the crowd chanting ‘Moon-sor-row! Moon-sor-row!’ the band broke into Sankaritarina with the crowd joining in the hearty sing-along melody with fists pumping and great voice and volume.

Thanking South Australia for their support, Moonsorrow readied all in attendance for a last 15 minute onslaught that was Kuolleiden maa. The size and scope of this song cannot be understated and with the resounding yet fading pounding of the drums, Kuolleiden maaa provided a fitting end to a memorable 90 minutes. Leaving the venue after the show and even thinking about the show now, there is only one word that constantly revolves in my mind to best describe everything that I had experienced: Epic.

About

Alex's love for metal began some 20 years ago after hearing the opening riff to Pantera's 'Walk'.