~ Reviews by Mozzy/Tommy
-------------------------------

And so the time had come again to board the train towards Umeå, Sweden in order to attend House Of Metal. The festival in the Northern parts of said country is by now a much respected event that brings light to a dark and cold winter. Already when stepping off the train one can see familiar faces of returning visitors. This time the festival was even more special, as it was the 10th anniversary - something to celebrate indeed and a sign of the successful and consistent work of the organisers.

That Satyricon returned to play in the anniversary edition just like they did in the first was very cool. Another line-up attraction, Dark Tranquility, had to cancel unfortunately but none other than thrash legends Destruction replaced them. To pull off such an impressive move at short notice speak volumes of the festival staff's capability and reputation.

The two days were as always very pleasant, comprising much quality music as well as great company and a joyful spirit. House Of Metal always seek to improve things as well; this time exemplified by a separate merchandise room, a better spot for band signings, and the possibility to carry your drink from the bar in the Studion hall onto the floor below the stage (was not allowed before). Oh, let's not forget the popular hot dog stand strategically placed by the exit. These might be small things but clever ones nonetheless and it shows how much the organisers care about their guests. Not long after this edition, another in 2017 was announced. Congratulations on the anniversary and see you next year!
~ Mozzy

Friday - March 4

Band: Defiatory
Time: 19:30
Stage: Studion

~ By Mozzy
Having given a listen to the imminent debut album by Defiatory a couple of days beforehand, it was a must to catch the band at House Of Metal where the local thrash combo is first on the schedule, kicking off the festival. What strikes you right away is how well the sound is transported to the stage. The fine tunes are meaty, aggressive and groovy and the members, all skilful, experienced players, gel well together. The quintet gets a good response, with their solid thrash metal getting you in the mood for the weekend's festivities. Much like the album, the gig provides a promising future for Defiatory.

Performance: 7 chalices of 10
Stage sound: 8 chalices of 10
Best: The great thrash sound
Worst: ---

(sorry, no setlist)

Band: Raubtier
Time: 19:45
Stage: Idun

~ By Tommy
I saw Raubtier again two weeks after this and that time they were better than tonight. It sure was energetic this evening and for being a only a three-piece they always manage to put on a lively show with very few dead seconds visually, much thanks to charismatic frontman, guitarist and singer Per Hulkoff.

I have something to say about the setlist, however. First of all the fast songs don't really work in a live situation for Raubtier unless they have a razor sharp sound which was not the case here. It mostly became a sonic blur with no melodies, hence just a tranportation to the next song. They are better off sticking to the semi-fast and more epic tunes live, because that's when the band comes out best live.

The selection of songs from the new album was also questionable, as was the choice to leave out great tunes from the past two albums, which made the concert lose momentum a few times and combined with a scarce and seemingly uninterested crowd Raubtier did not reach the same heights as usual this evening.

Performance: 6 chalices of 10
Stage sound: 6 chalices of 10
Best: Bothniablod
Worst: ---

Setlist: (might be slightly incorrect)
Intro
Det finns bara krig
Bothniablod
Änglar
Götterdämmerung
Sveriges elit
Vittring
Achtung Panzer
Från min kalla döda hand
Polarvargen
Besten i mig
Den sista kulan
Skjut, gräv, tig
Världsherravälde
Dobermann
Lejonhjärta
--------
Brännmärkt
Kamphund
Låt napalmen regna

Band: Firespawn
Time: 21:15
Stage: Studion

~ By Mozzy
Firespawn can definitely be branded an all-star band in the extreme metal scene, consisting of singer L-G Petrov, guitarists Fredrik Folkare and Victor Brandt, bassist Alexander Friberg and drummer Matte Modin (no need and no space to list all bands these Swedes have figured in). The appearance at House Of Metal is only their second so far, and the interest is huge, resulting in a long queue outside the Studion hall.

With everyone inside the jam-packed room, the quartet finally appears onstage to the ominous intro of opener The Emperor. The debut record Shadow Realms convinced with death metal tinged with some darker touches. Still, a feeling that the material gets a lift live is present, with the quality of the songs and elements therein shining through. The performance is tight and with much skill assembled, and it is especially great to experience Modin's relentless, rapid playing live.

And then there is the inimitable personality that is L-G Petrov. His cheerful, party-minded attitude and passionate frontmanship adds an entertaining side to the brutal metal. The crowd is participating throughout the set with horns aloft and loud cheers to L-G and his bandmates, and there is even a singalong during the mightily heavy All Hail. Firespawn deliver one of the top performances this weekend.

Performance: 8 chalices of 10
Stage sound: 8 chalices of 10
Best: To hear the material live
Worst: ---

Setlist:
The Emperor
Imperial Burning
Infernal Eternal
All Hail
Necromance
Ginnunga
Shadow Realms
Lucifer Has Spoken
Ruination

Band: Battle Beast
Time: 21:45
Stage: Idun

~ By Tommy
First time seeing Battle Beast for me and it was pretty much what I expected. Their songs have a great singalong factor and vocalist Noora Louhimo has a voice that is nothing less than amazing. One of the absolutely best in the genre, if you ask me. She is also the one that carries the show along thanks to her outgoing and professional postures and she really fills up the room completely.

And again. That voice.

She is in fact such a dominating element in the band that it makes it brutally apparant how unbalanced the visual part of show is. The choice of songs is good, the set is as dynamic as it can be and they deliver an enjoyable show without being mindblowing.

Performance: 6 chalices of 10
Stage sound: 7,5 chalices of 10
Best: Noora Louhimo
Worst: The lack of charisma from the other members

Setlist: (might be slightly incorrect)
Let It Roar
I Want the World… and Everything in It
Out on the Streets
Touch in the Night
Fight, Kill, Die
Black Ninja
Iron Hand
Enter the Metal World
Out of Control

Band: Cut Up
Time: 22.45
Stage: Studion

~ By Mozzy
That Vomitory, one of the finest, long-serving death metal groups in Sweden, quit in 2013 was a pity. Fortunately, drummer Tobias Gustafsson and vocalist/bassist Erik Rundqvist quickly found the spark to continue in music and formed Cut Up. The new band, completed by guitarist Anders Bertilsson and singer/guitarist Andreas Björnsson, released its debut Forensic Nightmares last year and it is a treat to get to see them in Umeå. The quartet doesn't mess about and simply perform all the songs from the record and in the same order.

We get a vital dose of slaughtering death metal, with Rundqvist and Björnsson taking turns to supply brutal vocals. It's clear that this is a strong unit and the performance is committed. It is impossible not to single out Gustafsson, however, as the top-notch drummer supplies annihilating blastbeats as well as excellent groove and is a driving force. Regarding stage presence, the performance is perhaps not that exciting, but Cut Up sure deliver quality death metal that makes you feel warm and refreshed inside.

Performance: 7,5 chalices of 10
Stage sound: 7 chalices of 10
Best: The classic death metal attack
Worst: ---

(sorry, no setlist)

Band: Satyricon
Time: 23.45
Stage: Idun

~ By Mozzy
The inaugural edition of House Of Metal in 2007 saw Satyricon as one of the main acts. It's brilliantly fitting, therefore, that the 10th anniversary of the festival sees the return of the Norwegian black metal titans. After a fine opening, the atmosphere is raised with third number Now, Diabolical. Still not content with the response, frontman Satyr then requests those in the audience sitting down to stand up, to the desired effect. There is more action in the crowd to Black Crow On A Tombstone and The Pentagram Burns, and the rendition of Die By My Hand is colossal.

As is always the case, Satyricon make a very professional impression onstage, housing class musicians and performers. Frost is as astounding as usual behind his big drum kit, while
Satyr leads the band from the front with much confidence and presence. He also has an excellent rapport with the audience, for example when he speaks warmly of a classic tour with Dissection 20 years ago. A couple of oldies from that period are played to a jubilant response.

Finally, Satyr introduces "what you have been waiting for, and nothing can follow it". It is of course the band's big anthem K.I.N.G. he is referring to, and it has the fans going nuts as usual. Yet another powerful display by Satyricon as well as a splendid ending to the first festival night.

Performance: 8 chalices of 10
Stage sound: 8 chalices of 10
Best: K.I.N.G.
Worst: ---

(sorry, no setlist)

Saturday - March 5

Band: Holy Moses
Time: 19.30
Stage: Studion

~ By Mozzy
Holy Moses have for some reason only played in Sweden once, back in 1989, so when the German cult thrash act was announced to appear at House Of Metal, metalheads rejoiced. This writer got the chance to see the band at Bloodstock in England in 2010, and compared to the line-up then there are now one guitarist less and two new faces.

These two, Peter Geltat on guitar and Gerd Lucking on drums, do a solid job, just as bassist Thomas Neitsch. They are rather anonymous figures onstage, however. As is only natural, the attention is turned towards Sabina Classen, a renowned singer as well as a true front figure among female metal musicians. As a frontwoman, she possesses tons of experience, and interacts well with the audience. This lady is metal to the bone, putting in a dedicated effort, headbanging away and demonstrating her characteristic gruff and brutal vocals.

We get old cuts such as Finished With The Dogs as well as newer material and the thrash metal that hits you is uncompromising and forceful. The response is warm and it is obvious that this is a special occasion. After the standard ending with the intense Dead Kennedys cover Too Drunk To Fuck, Classen stagedives into the crowd where she remains for a while, giving excited fans the chance to take pictures. An awesome move and one which reinforces the joyful atmosphere. While it is perhaps not that extraordinary musically, Holy Moses' gig at House Of Metal is a treat for sure.

Performance: 7 chalices of 10
Stage sound: 7 chalices of 10
Best: Classen's stage presence and personality
Worst: The lack of stage presence of her bandmates

Setlist:
Def Con II
Finished With The Dogs
Jungle Of Lies
Hellhound
Nothing For My Mum
Undead Dogs
Delusion
Panic
Life's Destroyer
Welcome To The Real World
Reborn Dogs
SSP (Secret Service Project)
Current Of Death
Too Drunk To Fuck

Band: Ensiferum
Time: 19.45
Stage: Idun

~ By Tommy
Ensiferum is since long a very, verytight unit, due to their massive touring the past decade. Considering that fact, it is remarkable how much joy of playing they radiate even at this ordinary day at work, which you have to say this gig is. The audience and the venue is of average size and build, to say the least.

Since they have so many diamonds in the catalouge one is always almost bound to see their own personal favourites step aside in favour of others. This is exactly the case for me. Even though perfectly executed, the show never really lifts tonight because of a setlist that does not engage me fully.

I greatly miss the keyboard of Emmi Silvennoinen, which I feel was a perfect element in the sound landscape. Her successor Netta Skoog's accordion is not nearly filling up the sound as good and is in general a weaker intrument but Netta sure makes up for it with an amazing stage presence and, again, a sheer and geniune joy which spills over to the audience.

All in all a good show, but a bit too light-weight and what on beforehand was my biggest anticipation for the weekend turned out to be a shrug of the shoulders and an 'ok'.

Performance: 6,5 chalices of 10
Stage sound: 7 chalices of 10
Best: The great atmosphere and the joy of playing
Worst: The questionable setlist

Setlist: (might be slightly incorrect)
March Of War
Axe of Judgement
Heathen Horde
Burning Leaves
From Afar
Warrior Without a War
Treacherous Gods
Ahti
My Ancestors’ Blood
Two of Spades
Unsung Heroes
Twilight Tavern
Into Battle
In My Sword I Trust
Iron

Band: Destruction
Time: 21.45
Stage: Idun

~ By Mozzy
After watching Holy Moses, it's time to head a floor up in order for more thrash metal from Germany. When Dark Tranquility had to cancel their appearance at the festival, Destruction replaced them. A great choice, of course, and there is a large audience waiting.

Led by the tall, imposing vocalist/basist Marcel 'Schmier' Schirmer, the band unleash thrash gems like Mad Butcher and Thrash 'til Death. The frailer guitarist Mike Sifringer delivers razor-sharp riffs, and it is always great to see him and Schmier, two great metal characters, into their stride. Behind them, Wawrzyniec Dramowicz delivers intense drumming.

Pros as they are, the trio deliver a strong display which is framed by a very cool light show. There is really nothing special to remark upon about the actual show and performance, but it the Idun stage in the big theatre hall is not the best setting for Destruction. The more intimate Studion stage had surely fitted them better.

Throughout the concert, people can be seen leaving and at the end maybe half the crowd is left. This takes away a bit of the momentum and one might even appear some sense of 'a day at the office' creeping in. But when all comes round, although this is not the most memorable occasion, it is always nice to get your ass kicked by Destruction's classic thrash metal.

Performance: 7 chalices of 10
Stage sound: 7 chalices of 10
Best: Mad Butcher
Worst: People dropping off from the crowd in such large numbers

(sorry, no setlist)

Related links:

www.houseofmetal.se
www.facebook.com/houseofmetalswe