METALCAMP – DAY 4 of 5

w/ Sabaton, Hammerfall, Sonata Arctica, Ensiferum, Varg and more!

Tolmin, Slovenia – 9th July, 2010

As the sun crested the mountains peak; a hot and very much sweaty 8:30am wake up call was unsurprisingly on the cards for this, day two of Slovenia’s Metalcamp. And after a yesterday showcasing the likes of Decapitated, Epica, Eluveitie, Behemoth and Deströyer 666, a cheesier and in all honesty better day was to follow!

Varg christened the main stage in true generic battle metal style, decked out in Turisas inspired leathers and war paint. And while they were both aurally and aesthetically pleasing – the fact their music was the sound that has been made 100 times over since folk became big that lost points for me. And speaking of folk becoming big, legends Ensiferum graced the Metalcamp stage soon after and delivered a true master class of the genre. Australian audiences of course had the chance to check Ensiferum out in the beginning of 2010, and as they were during their Screamfest run of shows around the country, again here they were fantastic in playing classics like ‘Token of Time’ and ‘Into Battle’, plus various newer tracks. The band even offered the crowd a rare treat of playing ‘Abandoned’ live for, and I quote, “the first time in at least two years… and last night in Hungary.”

Sonata Arctica may be declining in popularity after recent releases, but here at Metalcamp they still managed to draw a decent crowd to the main stage in the afternoon sun. Unlike their recent Australian performances, they kept the crowd entertained with a set of mainly old classics, with the highlights being ‘Black Sheep’, ‘Don’t Say A Word’ and the beautiful sing-a-long ‘The Last Drop Falls’. The band performed to a high level as always, and Tony Kakko is as amazing a singer live as he is on record, hitting all the right notes and no doubt making more than a few ladies weak at the knees. A genuine treat for fans of the band old and new alike, but for the casual observer, probably not worth leaving the tranquility of the riverside for.

By now the sun had well and truly set on the festival grounds, however the cheesy power metal was to continue for another 90 minutes as Sweden’s Hammerfall graced the stage with an introduction worthy of the gods. The band offered up hit tracks ‘Bloodbound’ and ‘Hearts on Fire’ and some classic one liners through their set – the highlight of which was when they asked the crowd to “Slayerneck*” themselves for the duration of their set.

During the final interval between bands for the day, I was busy making my way to the 8th wonder of the world in being overly intoxicated, and by the time Sabaton hit the stage all I can remember is solid moshing session at the back of the pit with a fellow bunch of crazy Aussies and a Mexican, dancing around passed out people near the back tent and singing along to their classic ‘Primo Victoria’ at the top of my lungs. I’m told it was a classic set of the bands material, and exactly the same as their appearance at Sweden’s Metaltown the previous month which was also a crowd favourite.

* Slayerneck: noun, when you wake up in the morning and your neck leans to one side.

Day 3 of 5 Review + Photos: http://www.metalobsession.net/metalcamp2010-1
Day 4 of 5 Review + Photos: You are here!
Day 5 of 5 Review + Photos: http://www.metalobsession.net/metalcamp2010-3

Reviewed by Brendan Amos with Mathew Boelsen.
Photos by Jess Day.