Review
TURISAS
PLUS: Chthonic and Kiuas
The Waterfront, Norwich
31st October 2011
Words and Photos: Charlie Wallis
This show’s been a long time coming for Turisas. The last time they were in Norwich back in 2008, the night ended with a fire alarm and the venue being evacuated. This combined with the fact that Turisas had to cancel their appearance in March gives the night a weighty dose of anticipation. To top things off it’s also halloween which means there are more than a few horned helmets and toy battle axes…though it’s hard not to think that these would have been prominent whether it was Halloween or not!
You have to admire Kiuas, a band who have to deal with an awful lot in the last year or so. From losing half their members in early 2011 to the lack of lead singer Asim Searah, who couldn’t make the UK tour due to “legal issues” this band have had some serious overcoming to do. As it happens it Kiuas rise to the challenge of opening the show, giving the crowd a solid set.
Kiuas
Taiwanese natives Chthonic are next up and you can tell they aim to make an impression. What’s apparent from the get go is that this is an extremely well rehearsed outfit, something you’d expect from a band whose career spans over a decade and a half. Everything is as tight as it is insane from their masked keyboard players to their use of the traditional erhu. All in all the band put on an impressive performance.
Chthonic
As the lights drop any feelings of trepidation after such a long spell away quickly dissipate as fists and plastic swords are quickly raised aloft to greet their heroes. Turisas in turn prove from the moment they step on stage that it’s not in their nature to disappoint, with singer Mathias “Warlord” Nygård swiftly taking control of his throng of would be warriors. Opening with the massively over-the-top, “March of the Varangian Guard” it’s clear that Turisas intend to match the fist pumping, chest beating, village burning feel of their albums. The mix of old classics and newer material goes over well, with everything from the distinctly rousing ‘One More’ to the chugging call to arms that is “Stand Up and Fight”.
What’s impressive about Turisas is that, for a band that on the surface has such a novelty factor, they display real musicianship. The dynamics of the show go from epic and relentless to moments of haunting folk interludes from violinist Olli Vänskä. All in all it’s hard not to like Turisas for what they do. This is a group that clearly love the esteem in which their fans hold them and revel in it. Similarly it’s hard not to love a beardy, painted, moustache-laden, Viking folk metal band from Finland who kick-start their encore with their own rendition of ‘Rasputin’ by Boney M, with the show then culminating in firm favorite ‘Battle Metal’.
Turisas
In summary, whilst the theatrics and folk metal fusion might not be to everyone’s taste, I defy anyone to watch Turisas and not find themselves grinning at the sheer bombastic madness of it all!
