A venue show during summer seems like almost a rare thing, especially with the many outdoor events happening all around the world. However, we couldn’t resist heading to Tavastia in Helsinki on July 22nd, 2023, for an evening filled with folk metal, as METSATÖLL and ENSIFERUM were scheduled to play sets.
The Estonian folk metal ensemble METSATÖLL consistently commands a substantial following in Finland. Thus, the sight of Tavastia gleaming with anticipation as the band took the stage wasn’t completely unexpected for us. Given a generous 1-hour time slot, ideal for a special guest performance, the band made the most of their time on stage and played no less than thirteen songs for the audience with highlights like “Vimm.” The setlist consisted of songs ranging from all albums, treating the audience to a delightful array of their finest folk metal compositions. As the show neared the end, the band gave us two additional tracks and an encore that ensured a memorable performance.
The spotlight then shifted to Finnish folk metal legends, ENSIFERUM, ready to take the stage. Having stuck to almost the same setlist since the unveiling of their latest effort, “Thalassic,” the band switched up their setlist, which turned out to be a welcome surprise. It was a little unexpected hearing “In My Sword I Trust” so early on in the setlist, but the change paved the way for the inclusion of all of the Väinämöinen-themed tracks: “Old Man,” “Little Dreamer,” and “Cold Northland.”
A funny moment unfolded during the show when an enthusiastic fan attempted crowd surfing, only to find themselves unintentionally being carried around due to the absence of security personnel. Although the setlist maintained a significant focus on their latest opus, “Thalassic,” there were no complaints, given songs like “Rum, Women, Victory,” “Run From the Crushing Tide,” and “Andromeda” are excellent live.
In a weird turn, bass player Sami Hinkka made a mystical switch to the keyboards, kicking off the encore with some sort of funny prelude. The final chapter of the night, “Andromeda,” “Lai Lai Hei,” and “One Man Army,” left a lasting impression on the audience as the curtains fell. All-in-all it turned out to be a great evening with lots of folk metal classics!
Metsatöll
Ensiferum
Photos by Laureline Tilkin
