The Finnish melodic death metal juggernauts, BLOODRED HOURGLASS, have recently unleashed their most ambitious album to date, “How’s the Heart.” To celebrate this release, they embarked on a tour across Finland. On October 21st, 2023, they graced the stage at Vanha Ylioppilastalo in Helsinki. Joining them for this night of metal mayhem were the Estonian sensation HORROR DANCE SQUAD and Finland’s own metalcore powerhouse, BALANCE BREACH.
HORROR DANCE SQUAD brought their unique energy to the stage, but their performance was somewhat hampered by the venue’s inconsistent sound system as we struggled to hear the vocals clearly, which is something that happens quite often at Vanha Ylioppilastalo. However, despite these technical difficulties, the squad managed to deliver a dynamic and entertaining show. For those of us unfamiliar with their music, it was a great introduction, and they made the most of the short time they had on stage.
BALANCE BREACH have always been known for their high-energy live performances, and this night was no exception. The band members were a whirlwind of movement, jumping, twirling, and headbanging throughout their set. Frontman Aleksi Paasonen commanded the stage with a commanding presence. The band predominantly focused on tracks from their latest album, “ABYZMAL,” released earlier this year. It was a real treat for fans who hadn’t yet experienced these songs live. BALANCE BREACH‘s growth as a band was evident, and they left the audience wanting more.
The main event of the night was, of course, BLOODRED HOURGLASS, whose latest album “How’s the Heart” had fans buzzing with excitement. The anticipation centered around what songs the band would include in their setlist. I felt like their refreshed sound also brought in a lot of new fans, who looked like they hadn’t been to many metal shows yet, which was a peculiar sight.
The band kicked off their performance with the energetic “Of Course I Still Love You,” setting a high-octane tone for the night. They continued with songs from the new album, including “In Lieu of Flowers” and “Fragile.” We were hoping to hear “Anomaly,” but alas, nevertheless, the setlist was filled with dynamic hits from their earlier repertoire, such as “Waves of Black,” “Drag Me the Rain,” and “Alysia.”
BLOODRED HOURGLASS, as expected, delivered a solid and electrifying show, with the entire band headbanging and engaging the audience to the fullest. The mix of new material and classic favorites created an unforgettable evening for metal enthusiasts. In summary, the BLOODRED HOURGLASS “How’s the Heart” tour stop in Helsinki was a memorable night of metal at its finest. The bands managed to connect with the audience, leaving them eagerly awaiting the next opportunity to experience the power of live metal.
Text and photos by Laureline Tilkin
Setlist
- Of Course I still Love You
- In Lieu of Flowers
- Fragile
- Nightmares are Dreams Too
- Drag Me the Rain
- Alysia
- The Sun Still In Me
- Song of Forgotten
- Tell Me About Yesterday Tomorrow
- The End We Start From
- Devotion
- Waves of Black
- Where the Sinners Crawl
- How’s the Heart
