We started the afternoon by going to see RUÏM from Portugal, with a dark spiritual theme, ritualistic atmosphere, and a very unique kind of black metal. Their presence on stage honored witchcraft and symbolism. The band was formed in 2020 by Norwegian musician Rune Eriksen (BLASPHEMER), an award-winning guitarist previously known for his participation in MAYHEM, along with French drummer César Vesvre (AGRESSOR, THAGIRION).
This band focuses on revisiting the style and energy of the 1994 Norwegian black metal era that BLASPHEMER experienced when being part of MAYHEM. He decided to create an album inspired by Brazilian witchcraft, which made the music even more interesting, as we had BLASPHEMER singing in English, Norwegian, and Portuguese, along with brutal riffs and daunting transitions.
We then moved to see the classic BENEDICTION, a true old school death metal experience with brutal riffs, crushing vocals, and incredible drums. The band comes from Birmingham, England, and was formed in 1989. Make sure to check the band’s new album produced by Nuclear Blast Records, released in April of this year, titled “Ravage of Empires.” An amazing show was delivered by these incredible UK death metal veterans.
We then returned to the coolest venue of the festival, Gildehallen, to see one of Midgardsblot’s core musicians, RÚNAHILD, formed in 2016 in Norway and inspired by healing, her spiritual connection to nature, and the Norse magic Seid. RÚNAHILD, Gustav, and JOHNNY HEXX as a guest playing the hand drum delivered an incredible Norse pagan dancefloor that had everyone dancing and chanting while feeling energized and in a trance. With beautiful vocals by RÚNAHILD, incredible throat singing and chanting by Gustav, and astral beats mixed with real drums, JOHNNY HEXX complemented this performance beautifully. This was my personal favorite show of the whole festival.
For the next show, we had another excellent display of black metal. TSJUDER was very awaited by the crowd that day, and since they had previously played at Midgardsblot, the audience already felt at home with this band. Their music was feral, aggressive, and dark, and it is one of my personal favorites of the genre. They also had incredible visuals and colors that looked amazing against the dark Norwegian forest surrounding the main stage.
For the last show of the festival, we went to see the French band EIHWAR, produced by Season of Mist. They brought their energetic dancing and chanting to Midgardsblot for the first time, and many Vikings gathered close to enjoy dancing to their electronic folk and pagan dancefloor. Midgardsblot then came to an end, but we finished it dancing and celebrating the year, with hopes of reuniting here again at this amazing festival in Borre for more pagan nights blended with incredible metal and wonderful people.
Here are my captures of the fourth day!
RUÏM
Benediction
Rúnahild
Tsjuder
Eihwar
Viking Market
Text and photos by @lolavalkyrie
