Finland isn’t generally known for producing Metal bands but with Turisas, that could all change big-time!
Judging by the amount of people gathering outside the Guildhall tonight, with their faces painted dark red with black stripes and sporting plastic swords and shields, it shows that many of the crowd have come to see these Viking Metal pioneers as well as the headliners.
Turisas declare war and kick off with their excellent anthem: Battle Metal! Their blend of Finnish folk music and straight up Heavy Metal has the Guildhall bouncing. Clad in animal skins and face paint they survey the carnage as the audience turns the Guildhall’s carpeted hall into a slam dance battlefield.
Showing that a good sense of humour is needed for this band, they finish off their set with a tongue in cheek cover of Boney M’s Rasputin. Pure class!
Dragonforce have their work cut out and the headliners don’t disappoint as they set about picking up the blood stained sword Turisas used to slay the crowd with, and proceed to implement their own attacking style.
With twin guitars primed and aimed at the audience they let fly with salvo after salvo of high speed Power Metal. Killer songs, My Spirit Will Go On, Operation Ground and Pound and Soldiers of the Wasteland are lobbed into the air and explode like concussion grenades in the packed hall.
When major hit Fury of the Storm is detonated, the Mosh Pit threatens to engulf the Guildhall from the stage to the mixing desk, dragging in bystanders without regard.
Through The Fire And Flames, the track that is considered to one of the most challenging on the Guitar Hero video game series, gets all the gamers in the audience headbanging like crazy.
Climaxing with the band bringing out a tray of beers for the crowd and throwing them out to the punters, all whilst taking the mick out of one of the lead guitarists thinning hair, makes this an all round brilliant smile-on-the-face gig.
Filing out, we walk past boxes of confiscated swords, shields and helmets, safe in the knowledge that Southampton’s Metal warriors will soon be reunited with their armour to continue their quest against the forces of bland pop music.
All hail the best Sunday night in a long time!
