Metalfest Open Air 2019 – Day 1: Friday, Part 2
Here we go! I realized it was getting very very long, so here comes the second part of day one of Metalfest!
HammerFall
HammerFall. Old time heroes, a band I’ve loved for about 12 years now. While I’ll admit that the feelings go up and down, and that at this point I look at them more as a fond something, I still owe a lot to them. They were, give or take, my first metalband and that is not something you simply just take away, am I right?
So I was excited to sit here. And to finally see them again. Again, as with Kissin’ Dynamite, it isn’t that long since I actually saw them, but nonetheless.
Surprisingly, they opened the set with “Legion”. This is the first time I’ve heard it live in a very, very long time and it took me a bit by surprise. It was quickly followed up with “Hammer High” The place was crowded, and it was an amazing crowd. The band start out energetically, and the crowd was with them from the start.
“Renegade” was next song on the list, oldie but Goldie I guess we can say, and then it was time for yet another – “Bloodbound”. This was quickly followed by my personal favorite – “Any Means Necessary”. It has been ten years since this album came out, and still I hold this song as my absolute favorite.
After this, it was time for the new single from the upcoming album, “(We Make) Sweden Rock” to premiere. I find it personally it a bit odd they’re premiering it here in Czech Republix when they play in Sweden just a week from now, but oh well I guess? I’m not a massive fan of the song, but it was well recieved by the audience!
“Hero’s Return” was next on the list, one other of those for me little unexpected songs to be honest, but it’s good to hear some new stuff, you know? “Riders of the Storm” was next on the list, another well executed song. I mean, these people are pros so what did I expect anyway?
“Hector’s Hymn” followed suit, and then they apparently had a live premiere of “The Sacred Vow”. It felt odd hearing this would be the first time ever played, and I want to call bullshit, but I can’t find any traces of it being played before, strangely enough, seeing this is the single. I stand corrected, I guess. Good hearing it live though!
“Last Man Standing” and “Let The Hammer Fall” wrapped up the set for now, and the band left the stage.
The intro of “Templars of Steel” started shallowly, and then more strongly, appear across the festival field, and the band returned to rip off this classic of a song. It really is, and have become more so, emotional to hear this song. I guess it comes down to what a song represented at a period in ones life, no?
“The Dragon Lies Bleeding” was next, and I’m so happy that this has come to be more of a permanent song in their list these days. Lastly, they wrapped it all up with “Hearts on Fire” before leaving the stage for Powerwolf to conquer.
Powerwolf
As clockwork, and also by fucking luck, Szilvi and Marci had left for the bathroom right after HammerFall and made it back JUST as the intro for Powerwolf started echoing. “Lupus Daemonis” was throwing and eerie feeling over the now dark and moist (it was raining) festival grounds, and as “Fire and Forgive” started, the frontdrop dropped, pyros set off, and the show was a fact.
An epic, powerful start was later followed up with “Army of the Night”. The venue, the poor little amphitheater, was full beyond capacity (if you ask me) at this point, and gave Powerwolf the most amazing reception.
Attila went across the stage, swining his incense and talking about what you need to beat down your opponnents. And anyone who has ever seen Powerwolf before knows damn well what this is – “Incense and Iron”. This one is such a crowdstarter, and the performance was yet again polished, and well executed.
Funnily enough, we noticed that Attila stumbled on the lyrics every now and then. And when “Amen and Attack” was coming, and he asked if we knew the lyrics of Powerwolf, Szi and I just looked at each other and said “Yes, because you don’t!” but, off we went with the song. Perfect, as usual.
The temp was taken down a notch as “Let There Be Night” was next song on the list. This song is seriously, one of the most perfect songs, to be performed at night time like this. The organ, the chants, it’s just. I’m sure I’ve fangirled enough over it before, but seriously.
“Demons are a Girl’s Best Friend” was next on the list, which caused a MASSIVE sing along, and then onto my personal favorite. My absolute personal favorite of “The Sacrament of Sin”, “Killers with the Crocs”. Seriously, I cannot get over how good this song is, and I can’t get over hearing it live.
Another singalong and audience favorite, “Armata Strigoi” was next on the list and continuing down the stroll of the preceeder of “The Sacrament of Sin” with “Blessed and Possessed”.
The stage got mellow and calmed down again, down to a piano, Falk and Attila only pulling through “Where the Wild Wolves have Gone”. Beautiful, serene and sweet. I will admit I’ve never been a too big fan of the song personally, but made like this? Beautiful.
From that, to the next, as “Resurrection by Erection” is next song on the list, followed by “Stossgebet”.
After this, they left the stage… And crew came out to light the stage on fire, the lights turned to red as “Agnus Dei” starts echoing over the eerie festival area, and “Sanctified with Dynamite” set off the encores for this time. Or as always, as you please I guess.
“Coleus Sanctus” was next song to be put out, before Falk and Attila had their usual battle with “Werewolves of Armenia”.
As one last thing, Attila asks us what we need, and what we drink, and for one last time, the bells chime, the “Kyrie Eleison” chants echo out and with that, the Holy Heavy Metal Mass came to an end.
And after this, we made our way back to the camp in the cold, dark and misty night… Getting ready for tomorrows adventures.
// Sara
Sara Hammerzmith 
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