04.08.2018 Ensiferum

Wacken Open Air XXIX

Wacken (Germany)

(Pentax K-5 with Sigma AF 70-200mm 2.8 EX DC APO HSM II)

It was back in 2011 when I watched Ensiferum at the Wacken Open Air for the last time. Unfortunately they had to open the day to that time which was not very good from atmosphere point of view but this year they were able to play just before the headliners.
Also the line-up was slightly different then as Enni Silvennoinen was backing the band on keyboard. During slowly setting sun on the banner at the background an impressive statue of a warrior was shown and proper to that epic picture the band entered the stage to the strains of “Ajattomasta Unesta” right before the terrific concert was ringed in by “For Those About To Fight For Metal”. Because the crowd in front of the stage was really keen on partying just as the four musicians above on the Louder Stage. The songs, a lively compilation of Viking and folk metal with straight influences of black and death metal were directly rocking one from the start and so it was not astonishing that it was loudly roared along until the end. Singer and guitarist Petri Lindroos appeared vocally superior and so he was singing with clear voice and also growling through the potpourri on the setlist. Dominating was of course the last album “Two Paths” of which besides the opener also other songs like the eponymous were played.
During “Lai Lai Hei” it was really getting loud, as the lyrics were accoding to Lindroos that easy, that really everyone is able to sing along (that was working excellently). Besides Lindroos, who only made very few words between the songs also founding member and musical mastermind Markus Toivonen as well as bassist Sami Hinkka and drummer Janne Parvainen were showing their skills. All swirled nonstop across the stage just as the audience in front of them did which was permanently moving.
Compared to their last show I watched of them this was a notch above which was not only due to the band by itself but also due to the ace moods within the crowd. So, the four Finns were rightly with lots of applause and loud cheers after their last song “Iron” heavy-hearted released from stage. I would have liked to hear some more, but that was unfortunately not possible.