METALHEARTS

 

Tyr

 

It was about half past seven when lights of the venue turned off and the stage was lighted with some soft deep blue lights. At the same time we could listen the first sounds of the introduction of Tyr and the excitement in the venue become an acclaim. 

 

One for one the musicians were appearing on stage dressed in leather and metal in the most charming heavy metal stile. Amon at drums, Gunnar bass, Heri voice and guitar and Terji as lead guitar. 

 

A little cold, a little shy, but the Porto audience changed this mood in only one minute for satisfaction with their applauses and acclaims. They began with  “Blood of Heroes” from their last album Valkyrja, took in with a big enthusiasm and that fit very well thinking they where in the "Heroes" tour.  

 

They went on at once to say hello to the audience and they were unloading their setlist in front of a venue that didn't need to cheer up, because it was cheer applauding, screaming, and following the band in their performance. But after the 4 first songs passion felt down and the bassist sometimes asked for rising fists, but only the 3 or 4 first rows ansered the call.  

 

He was the only one who get to win the audience with a great friendliness. The rest of the band were a little distant of the audience, and more the singer. The last songs weren't so good as the first ones. Despite of this the show was good, the sound was wonderful and we enjoyed it. If they tried to be closer to the audience the show would be great. 

 

Setlist:

• Blood of héroes

• Hold the Heathen Hammer High

• Grindavísan

• Mare of My Night

• Tróndur Í Gøtu

• By the Sword in My Hand

• Sinklars Vísa

• Lady of the Slain

• Shadow of the Swastika

 

 

Korpiklaani

 

The wait between bands was much more than acceptable. A few time to move along the venue that actually was packed. 

 

And if Tyr had come out surrounded by blue light, Korpiklaani did it by intense red. They began with the rocking rhythm of Tuonelan Tuvilla. They was dressed each one at his own way.  I saw Matson the drummer in the darkness behind the drums and I don't remember his dress, Jarkko the bassist and Sami the accordion player wore leather trousers and waistcoat. By the way it was the firs time I saw Sami and I liked him very much. Cane, guitar player, wore black jeans and jacket and a hat as usual and Jonne the singer appeared like a pirate with leather trousers and leather coat long only at the back and that he took off at the middle of the show. Beautiful.  

 

And it happened with Korpiklaani the same than with Tyr, the first songs were very good, with the tipical style of Korpiklaani but later they went down with darker songs. Jonne was the only one on stage who moved smiling, jumping, rolling, and going here and there plenty of energy, but the rest of the musicians were quite calm. I remembered them with more party and fun. Maybe they had a bad day.  

 

Setlist: They played 11 songs but I remember these 8: 

• Tuonelan Tuvilla

• Juodaan Viinaa

• Petoelaimen Kuola

• Vodka

• Kantaiso

• Kultanainen

• Sahti

• Rauta

 

 

Sabaton

 

Finally the expected moment of Sabaton came. We began to listen the first notes of The final Countdown of Europe, clasical opening, and the venue crashed. The March of War were the background music to the appearance of Hanes who waved to the audience from the shade behind the drums standing and with the drumsticks in his hand.  And so and alone on stage he begun the first drumrolls of the show and of Ghost Division, while an invisible Joakim screamed: "All right Porto, this is Sabaton, we play heavy metal and this is Ghost Division"  And while he screamed Chris came out on stage jumping and Thobbe after him at the same way walking both strait on to the audience to wave them. After them Pär appeared rising up his bass while Chris and Thobbe were already playing Ghost Division and finally Joakim appeared running just at the moment to begin to sing. Audience won. 

 

A terrific energy discharge that began at a extremely high level and kept at the same level all the performance stoping only to talk with more than to the people. Connection of the band with people was tremendous. They play for us and they show it at every moment. Smiles, waves, movements, heating the atmosphere of something much more of a concet: an interactive show that became for moments in a theatre play.   A pity the stage was too small to put the tank under the drums. Instead that they decorated the stage with military mesh. And we neither had fireworks. But those detail couldn't tarnish the brilliant performance given by the Heroes.  

 

Every time Joakim talked he said a joke making the audience laugh. And audience took part of the show choosing some songs of the setlist: Got Mit Uns in English or Swedish language, Swedish was chosen.  Soldier of three armies or Smoking snakes, the audience prefered the second. Caroleans Prayer, Lifetime of war and Far from the fame. the last one was chosen. And finally one boy chose Screaming eagles over White death. 

 

Another fun moment was when Joakim tried to play guitar. He was given a normal guitar and not the beautiful one given for his mates with the shape of a machine gun. A guitar battle began between Joakim and Thobbe while they called each other motherfucker and showed their skills Joakim trying some notes of Bite it of Michael Jackson, and Thobbe with an incredible version of For Elisa of Beethoven. He also challenged Chris who showed his evil speed with his fingers. Joakim closed the duel with a poor cover of Master of Puppets of Metallica, introducing Resist and bite that was singed with the guitar on. I don't know if played.... 

 

I could tell a lot of jokes that happened at the show but it would be too much long, so I let you to discover by yourself the rest when you can go to see them. 

 

Finally we had 16 songs plenty of energy and with a really hot venue that couldn't stop neither musicians neither audience, and always we find the show too short. We always want more. 

 

I only would change one thing: The art of war for The Price of a mile.

 

A fantastic show. See you soon, Sabaton!

 

Setlist:

• Ghost Division

• To hell and back

• Carolus Rex

• 40:1

• Got mit uns en sueco

• Smoking Snakes

• The art of war

• 7734

• Far from the fame

• Attero Dominatus

• Resist and bite

• Swedish Pagans

• Screaming Eagles

• Night Witches

• Primo Victoria

• Metal Crue