“Anyone who buys a ticket for Amorphis knows that a concert by the band is always an experience” – this is what was read on the concert announcement for the Amorphis Halo tour last Saturday in Linz’s Posthof. Rarely has such an announcement been such an understatement as it was at this concert.
It was no surprise that the Linzer Posthof was sold out that evening. The Finnish metal steamroller Amorphis guarantees an atmospheric concert evening, and the 1200 people present that evening were not disappointed.
Unfortunately, due to work, we were only able to admire the evening’s opener, Lost Society, for about one and a half songs. Do you know the feeling that you often bite yourself in the proverbial worst because of such facts? This is also the case in this case, because Lost Society is a lot of fun. They also come from Finland, make metal with alternative influences of the more modern variety, and have one thing guaranteed: stage presence. Gladly again, then with a full-length set – you’re happy to take some time off for that.
Sun letters
Then on stage: Sólstafir. A band that holds a very high place in this editor’s heart. No wonder, because what Aðalbjörn Tryggvason has been conjuring up on stages around the world since 1994 cannot be classified into any genre. Folk? Yes. Skirt? Yeah. Post-rock? Yes too. It’s all the worse that the band’s history hasn’t always been friction-free, including disputes with ex-drummers. Yes, Aðalbjörn Tryggvason is a free spirit. Someone who does his own thing, no matter what the cost, even if you sometimes offend. Putting all that aside, Sólstafir still offers one of the most intense hour-long concert experiences and a setlist of just six songs. “Blue Mountain“, “Akkeri”, “Oil”, “Fjara” and the most beautiful post-rock anthem “Fear” can be heard before Tryggvason ends a concert with “Goddess of The Ages”, which is rightly rewarded with thunderous applause. Wherever it says Sólstafir, there is Sólstafir inside. And that’s still a good thing in 2023.
Amorphis
Then on stage: Amorphis. Not only do they no longer need to be introduced in the metal genre, the Finns have helped to forge their genre since 1990 (!) like few others. Timi Joutsen and co are currently on the road with their 14th studio album. Superstars back home, they are higher and higher on the “must-listen-to” lists of metal fans further south. And that is no accident. “Northwards” begins the concert, almost befitting. “On The Dark Waters” and “Bad Blood” follow – by then the audience has arrived. Either from the beer bar or finally at the concert. Amorphis themselves are in a good mood, routinely playing down the set list – of course, what else is supposed to happen on tour? But there are still highlights like “Silver Bride” and “Sky Is Mine” that send the crowd in front of the stage into ecstasy. “House Of Sleep” is of course a must, and after just under an hour and a half, Amorphis releases the crowd into the cold November evening with “The Bee”. A concert that left little to be desired and satisfied the host and audience, even if some of the visitors probably had a bit of a headache the next day. This is how a metal evening should be!
Photos: Christoph Leeb
2023-11-15 10:13:26
#Amorphis #Finnish #elemental #force #Posthof #subtext.at
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