Atavistia
Seven Spires
Skálmöld
It is time for some Icelandic metal again presented by Catch22. Skálmöld are supported by Atavistia and Seven Spires during their 2024 leg of the Ýdalir tour. Before I join the queue in front of Colos-Saal in Aschaffenburg, I meet with my buddy Bugo Hoss from Nuremburg in front of it for dinner. While we are on the go, a long-haired man leaves the venue, joins in, and asks if we know where he can buy cigarettes. Well, a tobacco shop is on our way anyway, so we share way with Peter de Reyna, bass-wizard of Seven Spires as if it is the most normal thing of the world.
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Atavistia
From Vancouver to Aschaffenburg
Just like during the tour’s first leg in 2023, tonight’s openers are the Canadians of Atavistia. Again, their set is rather short. Their powerful Melodic Death Metal and growls rule the stage for about 30 minutes only. Sound and light could be slightly better, but as so often, that’s the fate of the opener. The billowing dry ice fog does the rest, making it difficult to recognise the four musicians. Here are a few impressions though.
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Seven Spires
Sensational Boston Metal
After a short break and barely enough time for a short visit to the bar OR the restroom OR the merch stall, it is time for the second band tonight. We welcome Seven Spires from the United States. The trio is completed by Dylan as guest on drums. Otherwise, Seven Spires prove once again, what can happen when some music students find together to form a band.
So many strings
The performance of Peter on six string bass, Jack on seven string guitar and Adrienne on all possible vocal techniques is one of the most outstanding I have ever seen. When most other bands play with four and six string battle axes and use only half of the strings, Seven Spires could still use an additional string each.
And such a vocal range
And I’m not going to lose a word about the vocals, they are not from this earth, from clean to growls, screams, back to clean in seconds… Seven Spires have announced the release of their new album in June, so stay tuned!
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Skálmöld
Reykjavík Rock City
The use of the headliner’s drum kit by the support bands helps to reduce the waiting time for Skálmöld from Iceland but still allows for restroom AND bar AND even a brief look at the merch stalls. Skálmöld invite you to a journey to the land of unicorns, elves, Nordic sagas, and gods. The six musicians enter the stage and lead the audience on a journey through all their albums, beginning with the title track of the recent album after a spherical intro.
So Many Fretboards
Having experienced their full show last year at Mergener Hof already, I am more than curious, if there are changes in the set list. I make it short, yes, there are some slight changes and overall, the set sounds more precise. If you have been to the 2023 tour, it certainly is worth visiting the 2024 parts too, you won’t regret it. If you haven’t, go there anyway! Three guitars, double bass drum, keyboards, and bass create a very tight and multi-layered sound. It is pure ear- and eye-pleasure to watch the fingers of the string players rushing over the fretboard of their instruments.
Every end comes too early
Most of the musicians sing at least one song, apart from backing vocals. Some songs are duets. All songs have the Icelandic lyrics in common. No one in the audience seems to lack English but understands the mood and vibe of each song. Sadly, even this perfect performance comes to an end and the time for the last song comes much too early. Instead of leaving the stage, Skálmöld decide to play the encores immediately after the regular set and finish the show with a shower from the snow machine. Thank The Highest Being and the Nordic Gods, temperature’s outside allow for a snow free trip home though.
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More play time please!
Once again, I’ve seen three excellent bands. Even though their slots had quite usual lengths, I could have enjoyed each of them for a few more minutes and songs. So did Peter of Seven Spires who told me at their merch stall that they were happy to be in Europe again after just one year since the tour with Twilight Force. It is always a pity for them when their set ends just when everybody including themselves has warmed up…
Chatting with the metal family
By the way, the price for a ticket was not very expensive, there are technically worse bands on the road who ask for more money, and they fill big arenas… Support smaller bands and small clubs, go to see concerts there. You are much closer to your idols, they are happy to meet you at the venue before or after the show and have a short chat, a cigarette, or a drink together. It is more of a Metal family than a commercial business. Or talk to the merch assistants, they are lovely people and always happy for a chat. I for myself spoke with Petri from Helsinki while he was enjoying his vegan dinner, very nice chap!
Read our review of the album Ýdalir here.
Read our interview with guitarist Þráinn Árni Baldvinsson here.
Online:
Please buy merch and physical music or downloads from the bands’ official sources and don’t stream music for free because it steals your artists’ income
Proof reading by DerminBoad
All photos by Friend.X aka Mr. Deep at Colos-Saal