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

The 12th edition of House Of Metal did not have a sensational headliner like last year when none other than Anthrax visited Umeå in Northern Sweden. Nevertheless, the headliners this year - Nocturnal Rites and Meshuggah - were appealing, and the fact that both bands originate from Umeå added a special element. Combined with reliable names like Danko Jones and Unleashed and some interesting newer groups like Dead Kosmonaut, the line-up was very solid. The attendance was as well, which was visible not least when said headliners performed.

When it comes to the festival experience, nowadays you simply know that you will have an enjoyable time at House Of Metal and that everything will be smooth and accessible. This is of course thanks to the well-oiled and experienced staff who know exactly how to organise everything at the venue. And like always, there were additional features during the festival like meet-and-greets, official pre-parties and exhibitions. As for the latter, renowned album cover artist Kristian Wåhlin exhibited his stunning works featuring for example Dissection and At The Gates cover art.

Once again, House Of Metal gave us a great weekend that truly enriches the winter season. And to have two bands headlining a big festival in the city they come from is actually remarkable. Having such a distinguished festival in Umeå, having successful bands from Umeå with fans all over the world, and then seeing these factors join together this year is indeed testament to the strong metal scene in the city. In fact, not just the metal scene but the music culture overall. Horns up for Umeå!
~ Mozzy

Friday - March 2

Band: Solstafir
Time: 19.00
Stage: Idun

~ By Mozzy
Solstafir was the last band announced for this year's festival, and they are also the first for which Metal Covenant enter the venue to see. It is an interesting start, as the Icelandic group has really made a name for themselves during the last few years, and I have not seen them live before either. The set begins with a low-key intro, before loud guitars, bass and drums kick in. It is all components of Silfur-Refur, the first track from the latest album and it is a good opener. Dynamics is certainly something that Solstafir champion, with the often long songs shifting between mellow parts, repetitive riffing, and heavy crescendos.

There are beautiful, melancholy melodies aplenty, and the music often generates a meditative, soothing mood that one is drawn in by. Apart from the skilful playing, one gets the feeling that the band's Icelandic heritage has contributed in creating a unique sound. Another vital component is frontman Addi Tryggvasson's vocals, which are very soulful and sometimes of a distressed nature, and his singing fits the music. Singing in Icelandic certainly contributes to the unique sound as well. The band get a warm reception from a good-sized crowd, and although they do not keep your constant attention, Solstafir deliver an enjoyable performance and start to the weekend.

Performance: 7 chalices of 10
Stage sound: 8 chalices of 10
Best: The appealing melodies
Worst: It can be slightly tedious at times

(sorry, no setlist)

Band: Nocturnal Rites
Time: 23.15
Stage: Idun

~ By Mozzy
The comeback album, Phoenix, from Nocturnal Rites was long-awaited and the same applies when it comes to their return to the stage. There is excitement in the air in the packed Idun and finally the hometown boys take the stage, which lights up revealing 'NOC' in big letters hanging above. Then we get a concert characterized by pure joy. The crowd response is elated with loud singing taking place, both to new tracks like Before Waste Away and old favourites like Still Alive and Afterlife. The band members are having fun too, and singer Jonny Lindqvist is as usual joking with the audience as well as his colleagues. Bassist Nils Eriksson, also sporting a wide smile and running around as always, constantly gets his microphone lowered by the cheeky Lindqvist.

It is very nice to hear Lindqvist's great voice again, though it feels like he is sometimes holding back a bit, also being assisted in the higher range by Eriksson and guitarist Fredrik Mannberg. The other guitarist is fairly new in the band but it is none other than the celebrated Per Nilsson, sometimes even referred to as one of the premier guitarists around in the metal scene. It is a flawless fit, of course, and Lindqvist highlights Nilsson's skill, shaking his head in awe. As the set concludes, as always with old staple The Iron Force, Nocturnal Rites receive loud ovations. Although there are a couple of more average numbers in the set, this performance is terrific and one is eager to catch more live gigs from the quintet, now very pleasingly back on the scene.

Performance: 8 chalices of 10
Stage sound: 8 chalices of 10
Best: Simply to enjoy Nocturnal Rites' music again
Worst: A couple of songs from the latest album are not of the same high quality as the other material

(sorry, no setlist)

Saturday - March 3

Band: Hulkoff
Time: 19.00
Stage: Idun

~ By Tommy
The main man behind the band Raubtier, Pär Hulkoff, recently started up a solo effort, aptly named after himself. The music does not differ much from what he creates in the main band, heavy and often industrial riffs with catchy choruses, with one big exception that he sings in english in this band instead of swedish, which we have grown used to him doing in Raubtier. The lyrical concept in this new band is based around ancient tales of life in the northern parts of Scandinavia, known as Kvenland.

He is joined on stage on this first gig ever by renowned drummer Anders Johansson (Strokkur, ex-Yngwie Malmsteen, ex-Hammerfall) as well as Johansson's sons Kalle on guitar and Niklas on bass. Despite the latter guys youth it is indeed one tight and heavy rhythm section which this night performed with utter confidence and playful ease.

The audience is responding well to Hulkoff, him playing more or less on home turf, and the singalong bits lift everything up a notch in almost every song. It is grand and mighty, and an already great album grows even a bit more in a live situation. Hulkoff himself was as fired up and passionate as he always is on stage and one can not help being caught up in the moment and dragged along with his enthusiasm. I felt a sense of hunger and excitement on stage, but without letting it stand in the way of the serious tone and feeling of the songs.

We also got to hear one unreleased song, Beast Mode, due for release in the beginning of this summer. It is a really fast smoker pretty much forged from the same formula as the rest of the material on the debut album. I have a hard time judging that one in depth since the fast songs don't go down that well this evening due to the somewhat blurry sound. It is however safe to say that fans of the debut album in general won't develop a disliking of it.

A solid world premier gig by an experienced and determined man who delivered just on the level expected.

Performance: 8 chalices of 10
Stage sound: 7 chalices of 10
Best: Einherjr
Worst: The fast songs don't come out as well live.

(sorry, no setlist)

Band: Danko Jones
Time: 21.00
Stage: Idun

~ By Mozzy
Danko Jones last played at House of Metal in 2009, and it is obvious straight away that the audience appreciates to have them back as the trio's kick into their energetic rock, flavoured with metal and punk. People start rocking and grooving to the catchy tunes and there is an awesome party atmosphere, especially during First Date which is sung passionately in the crowd.

As always, Danko himself is an entertaining frontman with strong presence and assurance onstage. His banter with the crowd is always entertaining and tonight he also delivers a brilliant speech in salute to House of Metal and its visitors. The Canadian thanks the organisers of House Of Metal for "letting a rock n roll band into their house" and salutes the openness of the audience members by branding them "refined, tasteful metalheads". The band's connection with their audience is formidable overall, with cheerful and cool bassist John Calabrese assisting Jones very well in this department.

It is surely so that because Danko Jones stands out a bit among the other, mostly harder acts during the weekend, it becomes a refreshing factor that works in the band's favour. After the speech, the festive atmosphere even lifts to another level. Personally, I felt beforehand that it would be cool to see Danko Jones again, but did not expect anything special. Reflecting after the festival, if I must choose a favourite performance, it will probably be Danko Jones, who deliver rock n roll entertainment the way we love it, bringing us pleasure and making us forget all else in life.

Performance: 8 chalices of 10
Stage sound: 8 chalices of 10
Best: First Date
Worst: ---

Setlist: (might be slightly inaccurate)
I Gotta Rock
Sugar Chocolate
The Twisting Knife
First Date
Full of Regret
Had Enough
Gonna Be a Fight Tonight
Lovercall
Crazy
My Little RNR

Band: Creeping Flesh
Time: 21.15
Stage: Äpplet

~ By Tommy
Death metal band Creeping Flesh from Gothenburg was prior to this evening a completely new acquaintance to me. I had read a favorable review a few years ago, but never gotten to check them out. I was before this weekend again tipped by a friend to one of the band members to check them out, and boy am I glad I did.

With a great sound on the smallest but still spacy stage, and with more focus on groove than speed, they deliver a delicious mix of the best elements from bands such as Bolt Thrower, Grave, Deicide and to some extent Asphyx, Hail Of Bullets, Centinex and Entrails.

The great and articulated growling courtesy of Robert Karlsson fits their sound picture splendidly and adds that extra icing to the massive cake. The gig was well attended and the response was very good, as far as I could tell.

A class act with overall competent musicians which I urge you to check out and with any justice left in the world they should be able to enjoy a bright future in the genre. This was a big and nice surprise and definitely one of the highlights of the festival.

Performance: 8,5 chalices of 10
Stage sound: 8 chalices of 10
Best: The groove, the fat sound and the vocals
Worst: ---

(sorry, no setlist)

Band: Meshuggah
Time: 23.15
Stage: Idun

~ By Mozzy
To be honest, I do not consider myself a real Meshuggah fan. Although I appreciate bits here and there, I have never been hooked when hearing them on record. Seeing them live, however, has always been really cool. At House Of Metal, I expected the same and that turned out to be the case.

As the band go straight into their metal, the colossal heaviness and rhythms sucks you in and you soon find your neck and body moving. It is a treat to witness the musicians´ amazing skill and how tight they are, playing complicated and challenging parts. Also obvious is how massively experienced and professional this band is by now, having toured the world relentlessly. While all the instrumentalists in the band showcase their abilities, it is unavoidable to give drummer Tomas Haake a special mention. Guitarist Per Nilsson also deserves one as he is, as expected, a perfect substitute to Fredrik Thordendal who is having a time off. It is a memorable weekend for Nilsson, playing with both Nocturnal Rites and Meshuggah, and it further proves his versatility and skill.

Singer Jens Kidman, fronting with great authority and presence, comments that it is special to play in Umeå, the origin for Meshuggah, again and the packed Idun give the quintet a heartfelt response throughout the concert. The fabulous light show and mighty sound also contribute, and as a whole this is an exciting live experience. There are plenty of true Meshuggah fans present and it is evident that they love the concert, but even when you're not as big a fan you become impressed. This homecoming of Meshuggah is another milestone in the history of the festival.

Performance: 7,5 chalices of 10
Stage sound: 8 chalices of 10
Best: The awesome heaviness
Worst: When not knowing all songs, Meshuggah's music can be testing

Setlist: (might be slightly inaccurate)
Clockworks
Born in Dissonance
Do Not Look Down
The Hurt that Finds You First
Rational Gaze
Pravus
Lethargica
Nostrum
Violent Sleep of Reason
Bleed
Straws Pulled at Random
----------
Future Breed Machine
Demiurge

Band: Utmarken
Time: 00.00
Stage: Studion

~ By Tommy
The swedish outfit Utmarken rounded off the festival with their folk metal, at times more close to rock, and it's really folk in it's most true sense. Dramatic and emotional melodies deeply rooted in the scandinavian folk tradition of yore with lyrics in swedish mainly about nature and life in the north.

An abundance of great melodies and the use of a few unconventional instruments made for a good and enjoyable gig which peaked at times when it turned a bit heavier and the interaction with the crowd was great, closing in to a real party mood towards the end of the night, and I suspect these skilled instrumentalists had as good of a time as the audience.

Performance: 7 chalices of 10
Stage sound: 8 chalices of 10
Best: The jolly atmosphere
Worst: ---

(sorry, no setlist)

Related links:

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