Insomnium European Tour 2023 supported by In Mourning and Kvaen. There is not much to say about Insomnium’s tour stopp in Berlin Wednesday November 15th, 2023.
The night was simply perfect!
Hole44 is a relatively new venue in Berlin Neukölln and thus a bit off off the beaten track between the ‘grande’ concert venues in hip Friedrichshain or through and through gentrified Kreuzberg. It is just outside the ciruclating city train line called “Ringbahn” although only few paces away from the final station of U8. The neighbourhood is full of takeaways, barber shops and naturally the one Berlin instution keeping it perfectly supplied: Späties.
Kvaen
They say, Berlin is a tough nut for bands to fill a venue and even more to make the crowd party. It did not stop Kvaen. They open in furious passion, shredding till their hands bleed. The venue hosts a decently sized crowd already. If there is a minor detail to complain it is that the band began before the published schedule. This has become too common by now. – Then again tonight, it does not really matter. Kvaen made it a grande opening. [Click on a photo to open the gallery mode.]
In Mourning
A quick change over and on goes the show. The Swedes convince with their great chemistry and diverse set. In Mourning pick up the extreme atmosphere from Kvaen and let it flow through their unique style right into the very melancholic moods of Insomnium. They make the perfect glue to the package. Obviously, pretty many in the crowd have specifically come to experience In Mourning. The Hole44 is filled by now – not far from being sold-out. The mood could hardly be any better.
Insomnium
As tradition demands, drummer Markus Hirvonen enters the stage first. The crowd demanded them to begin already. The guitarists follow and among them a new face, Nick Cordle – standing in for Jani Liimatainen. Fans of Omnium Gatherum will know him and his amazing chemistry with his fellow guitarist Markus Vanhala already. They open with the title track of the recent album “1696″ and move on to their classic “Ephemeral“. The set in general comprises more recent titles, however, they do not finish without playing an encore consisting of the timeless masterpieces: “Primeval Darkness”, “While We Sleep” and “Weighdown with Sorrow”. Interestingly, there were some clean background vocals delievered by Markus Vanhala which might have tricked you into expecting him to take over the clean parts for example of “While We Sleep”. But no. Nick did and prooved himself a good mic partner to Niilo Sevännen!
Even the best concert has to end eventually. The crowd took their leave not without paying a visit to the merch.
Beyond the amazing show we all experienced it was great to see the venue being filled so decently in the middle of the week. There is no live music without the audience. The appreciate your coming and support.
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The tour is ongoing. Check out their dates and pay them a visit. Join the party. Alternatively, get your music and merch from the bands’ official webshops.
Photos by Muumi-Katja