Last year saw German folk metallers Equilibrium experience several lineup changes in the midst of a new album release. To unveil their new lineup and promote their album, they set out on a tour of Europe including a rare stop in the UK in October. Here’s what happened:
Opening the night was melodeath quintet Nothgard [7]. The group had missed recent dates due to frontman/guitarist (one of THREE guitarists in the band) Dom R Crey being ill with a cold, but the throat issues were little problem as they powered through their set, featuring plenty of material from their new album “Age of Pandora” along with material from their older, folk influenced releases. Opening with the title track of their new album, they started strong and continued along the same vein throughout. The three guitars at time seemed a little muddled in the mix but the crowd gave them a warm reception.
TrollfesT [9] were a whole different breed altogether. A huge lineup on such a tiny stage in the O2 Academy Islington’s smaller sister venue upstairs was always going to be a recipe for chaos and with such an eccentric band in unusual garb spouting songs in a made up language, chaos is what was had. The percussive nature of songs like “Trinkentroll” and the fierce bark of the lead singer and a much loved fan favourite cover of Britney Spears’ hit single “Toxic” with added violins and accordion made for a flawless set of total insanity.
Nothgard’s frontman Dom would eventually return the stage on guitar for Equilibrium [8], having recently joined the band as their new second guitarist. The band was mainly focussed on new material from Erdentempel and was a tight and well oiled folk metal machine. Towering frontman Robse was on point with his vocal delivery and mid set performances of “Wirtshaus Gaudi” and Skyrim cover “Himmelsrand” were the real highlights of the night. The energy was non-stop through the night and encore tracks “Blut Im Auge” and “Aufbruch” capped off a wonderful night of folk metal music. Equilibrium don’t come to the UK very often but when they do, it’s an event not to be missed.
The Equilibrium Setlist Was:
Ankunft
Was lange währt
Waldschrein
Freiflug
Uns’rer Flöten Klang
Wirtshaus Gaudi
Met
Himmelsrand (Skyrim Theme)
Wingthors Hammer
Karawane
Der Ewige Sieg
Wellengang
Apokalypse
Unbesiegt
Encore:
Blut im Auge
Aufbruch
