Midgardsblot 2019 (FESTIVAL REVIEW)

By Xenia Kromann

Five years have passed since the beginning of Midgardsblot that in 2015 had their debut. Jet another unique experience and so many new people we have met. Here is our full festival review of Midgardsblot 2019, we cannot wait to return next year! Photo album: https://www.facebook.com/metal.to.go.dk/Midgardsblot2019_photos
 

Thursday; Day 1

Gaahls Wyrd
Once again Gaahls Wyrd returned to the festivities of Midgardsblot. As the opening act right after the Blot ceremony, the band came on with such an intense and solid offering including their always deeply visual approach. Gaahl himself that in a way creates the whole experience as mentioned by many with his penetrating eyes, just gazing into one's personage. Within no time they imprisoned a whole crowd that was gathered in a mass right in front of the stage headbanging intact with the members. It was a high barrier to set for the day with the understanding of how all-consuming the mix of their setlist was combined and the overall intensity of the show and the Midgardsblot atmosphere. 

Gaahls Wyrd, Midgardsblot 2019

Sindri
A very interesting booking for this year was Sindri. Besides being a frontman he has created his own universe with the sound of acoustic melancholic music. His folkish tones and touching voice took us through some of his most intense and unique styled landscapes like "Ta Den Løgn" and "Alt er her (der du er)". The second stage was this year moved in the beer-tent facing a fire-pit. While sitting there around the fire surrounded by Sindri's calming voice and the many attendees, that was when one knew, we were all back home.  

Tormentor
The Hungarian experimental metal band Tormentor with Attila in their front was one of the early announcements for this year's Midgardsblot. After a remarkable previous show, we were introduced to what was that more extreme. Finally, we got to experience Tormentor and what a show, the stage was set and ready for the long-awaited corpses. After tearing one song up after another the whole show was special exceptional with Attila's huge inverted cross and his demonic facial expressions that gave that extra show effect, their playing was unblemished together with the stage presence that was truly pure. They had the audience entirely where they wanted them which was no surprise with such a setlist that was covered with a satisfying selection of songs. The screams and the sing-a-longs, we couldn't have asked for more from this rare performance. 

Tormentor, Midgardsblot 2019

Ivar Bjørnson & Einar Selvik

Hugsjá / Skuggsjá
Ivar Bjørnson & Einar Selvik was for the first time bringing their projects Hugsjá and Skuggsjá to Midgardsblot itself. With a show like this, where the music is so rich, atmospheric and creates an intense experience, There was no doubt that this was going to be as memorable as the Heilung show back in 2017. Along with them, they had special guests backing singer Iver Sandøy, Hardanger Fiddler Silje Solberg and more to create this unique performance. Ivar's enchantments to every song were monumental, his expressions and voice were honest and true, breathtaking to watch. This was truly an experience we recommend everyone taking a part of at some point, there are no real words to describe the atmospheric, musical storytelling and intimate aura that is connected within. 

Ivar Bjørnson & Einar Selvik, Midgardsblot 2019

Friday; Day 2

Urarv
The Norwegian Avant-garde black metal band Urarv had the pleasure of opening Gildehallen on the second day of Midgardsblot. After we only have been checking out a couple of songs before the show, we almost went in blind. The immediate impression was total chaos, there was nothing binding anything together and the music itself was without a doubt inspired by bands like Lifelover and by that we mean the combination of happy tones with something that sounded so depressing was playing with one's emotions to the fullest and nothing was really suppose to make any sense. The front singer himself was also an interesting being, his live appearance was the main focus, from the fact that every person in the group had their own type of style which just made the whole thing more confusing. 

Vreid
After releasing their eighth full-length album almost a year ago it was time for the Norwegians to perform their unique melodic black metal sound at the grounds of Midgardsblot. Vreid did a genuine solid show that connected with the crow in an exceptional way throughout their entire performance.  

Vreid, Midgardsblot 2019

Deicide
Traveling from the States like many of the attendees at Midgardsblot, the death metal band Deicide returned to Norway after a long time and for an old-school death metal band, they still had some of their stage presence. Their setlist was jam-packed with great songs from the start to the very end, "Dead By Dawn", "Once Upon the Cross", "Homage for Satan", some of the prominent once from their discography, which made the show worth. As we have witnessed before, Glen Benton had located himself too close to the microphone which resulted in poor and even dreadful vocal sound frequently. But in the long run, the show was stale and uneventful, we did not take anything with us to relive.

Deicide, Midgardsblot 2019

Saturday; Day 3

Ereb Altor
Finally, the day when the Swedish pagan black metallers Ereb Altor arrived and with them just releasing some new material from their upcoming album "Järtecken" this show was already set to be a pure success. Talking to people during the festival, we could not say that many new them until an introduction was made in the camping area, countless times. Despite that and the rainy weather a large number of listeners appeared which seemed to be worth every bit of it from the whole crowds perspective. Firing songs after song like "With Fire In My Heart", "Midsommarblot", "Queen Of All Seas" the whole combination of new and old material was well thought of. Their spirit grew beyond the stage and aroused everyone at this early time of the day. We can still hear the backing vocals... "BLOOD BLOOD, FIRE FIRE, DEATH DEATH, FIRE, FIRE..."

Ereb Altor, Midgardsblot 2019

Einherjer
At this point, the weather already cleared up and the stage was set for the Norwegian's Einherjer. Something the band manages to do every time is to look powerful on stage, even their sound is always taken to the next level during their shows which were no exception this time. Their performance was killer, they just know how to persuade their minions. Having them just where they wanted them to, the crowd was enchanted by their music and the crowd-surfing and headbanging were massive while drinks were raised. After all, the show was often monotonously performed and their mythological storytelling was not all that memorable. 

Einherjer, Midgardsblot 2019

Enslaved
Enslaved was back at Midgardsblot for this five year anniversary. The Viking black metal band brought their career-spanning material, to celebrate their honored return. The audience roared as each member walked on stage and the whole thing escalated quickly, suddenly glittery dancers in one-suit costumes with long "haired" pong-pongs headbanged intact with the music around the stage which was their surprise for the evening. One could tell they were touched by the fact of being back on that stage in front of almost every attendee for this year's Midgardsblot. 

Enslaved, Midgardsblot 2019

Heilung
Heilung returned to Midgardsblot for the second time since 2017, when they gave us a show that is now written in the history books, and in our souls to never be forgotten. The intensity and healing part of their music will forever be haunting our hearts, and there was no doubt that this was how Midgardsblot 2019 was supposed to end. Opening the night, the crowd was enchanted by first sight. By using their passion for history, using instruments or objects from human bones to shamanic drums, Heilung brings out all that other performers do not within their sounds. As the mist slowly crept upon us almost healing, a setlist of old and new songs that was never brought to life before in front of a crowd was performed. Many with their first time experiencing them live with gave the crowd a spirit that had been missing for us at some of their other shows. But at Midgardsblot the atmosphere is like no other and that makes the whole happening that much more real. Closing off with "Hamrer Hippyer" the show was again a healing experience taken to the next level. 

Heilung, Midgardsblot 2019

We would like to thank everyone who made Midgardsblot 2019, jet another year of its unique experience. Thanks to every volunteer, artist, and attendee this was magical. 

Midgardsblot Website: https://www.midgardsblot.no/
Midgardsblot Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midgardsblot/
Midgardsblot Info Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/midgardsblot/

Remember that you can always volunteer for the 2020 edition, and the announcement will be on their site a soon as it is open. Tickets for 2020: https://midgardsblot.hoopla.no/sales/

See you next year!