Every year, we head down to Borre in Norway to attend the mystical Midgardsblot Festival, one of the highlights of our summer! This year, Midgardsblot Festival took place from August 14th, 2024 to August 17th, 2024. As per usual, Midgardsblot boasted a diverse lineup with bands like AMON AMARTH, GRAND MAGUS, KALANDRA, VADER, GÅTE, EMPEROR, TESTAMENT, and many more!
The first day of the Midgardsblot Festival was a profound blend of music, culture, and ritual, perfectly embodying the festival’s spirit. The event kicked off with an opening Blot ceremony, a powerful ritual mixing elements of Norse tradition with a universal message to all, regardless of their origin or religion, setting a deeply spiritual tone for the festival.
Following the ceremony, UADA took the stage, delivering a set that was dark, atmospheric, and full of raw energy. Their melodic black metal sound, with its haunting melodies and relentless rhythms, captivated the audience, drawing them into a shadowy world of sound.
Next on the main stage was GRAND MAGUS, bringing a dose of traditional heavy metal to the festival. They were followed by KALANDRA, whose ethereal and beautiful performance provided a striking contrast to the intensity of the previous bands. Their fusion of folk and atmospheric rock created an enchanting atmosphere, with lead singer Katrine Stenbekk’s mesmerizing vocals casting a spell over the crowd.
Between bands on the main stage, the public had the opportunity to see solo folk artists on stage in Gildehallen. The first artist was JOHNNY HEXX, followed by KJELL BRAATEN. They both presented beautiful songs performed on historical instruments and drums, which suited the Viking wooden halls they performed in perfectly.
Closing out the night was AMON AMARTH, whose Viking-themed melodic death metal was the perfect conclusion of the kick-off of the festival. With thunderous tracks like “Put Your Back Into The Oar,” they transformed the festival grounds into a rowing pit. The first day of Midgardsblot 2024 was a spectacular start, combining ancient traditions with powerful performances that left the crowd eagerly anticipating the days to come. Check our photo gallery here…
blót ceremony
UADA
JOHNNY HEXX
Kalandra
KJELL BRAATEN
Amon Amarth
Text by Aleksandra Majak
Photos by Aleksandra Majak & Lola Viitanen
