Negura Bunget - Enslaved - Kampfar - Graveworm - Helrunar - Battlelore - Catamenia - Alcest - Bran Barr - Odroerir - Ignis Fatuu - Bifröst

After an absolute relaxing car drive without any traffic jams we arrive early, check in our hotel and appear super on time in front of stage to cheer BIFRÖST. ODROERIR have to face a short blackout that delays everything for around 25 minutes. But luckily organizers can make it up again on a 10 minutes delay, which was ok since SAHG cancelled without replacement.

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Ok, and here we go ;) Austrians finest :: BIFRÖST :: opened the 8th edition of RAGNARÖK FESTIVAL. The Black/Pagan metallers had to face a hall half filled at best, though gave their best and got honored with a jolly atmosphere. Much more, the band already had the backstage crew on their side ;) They were eager to see if singer Hrodgar would master his job after having tasted some brewski. He did! Well, he definitely looked and acted drunk but did not fall down. Well done kickoff.
Setlist: Nordmannenzorn, Der Mönch, Odins Söhne, Spiel mit dem Feuer, Fest der Trolle, Am Pfahle, Schlachtklänge, Herr des Waldes

:: IGNIS FATUU :: is the first Folk Metal band and tonight’s show is something like a home match, since the band members live nearby. Boys and girl downright act lively on stage and knew how to enthuse their fans. As for me personally I can’t stand this genre anymore and get quickly bored. Well, who cares, fans are still crazy about such bands ;)
Setlist: Wörterschmied, Scherenschmiede, Wolfszeit, Wahre Schönheit, Stille Wasser, Frühlingsreigen, Nordwind, Spiel des Lebens, Wächter

Next up is :: ODROERIR :: who already can call this hall their second home ;) Another Folk Metal band but the Thuringian have an earthier and more profound approach. And that even pleases the fans more as the response gains momentum. Solid show!
Setlist: Heimdall, Odroerir, Menosgada, Des Thors Hammer, Heimholung, Zwergenschmiede, Skadis Rache // Zur Taverne

Folk Metal the third, now the French way. :: BRAN BARR :: do it the heavy way and sound all over Irish than any bit of French. Pretty cool stuff that let the fans freak out in front of stage.
Setlist: Intro, Celebration - Son Of Nuadh Amhach, Rebirth - Morgan's Gift To Righ'Sidh, Pride And Malevolence, Bàas In The Underworld, Fury - Exile Of The Orphan, Journey - The Grand Quest For The Magical Acorn

We gonna stay in France but musical style changes. Totally. Hailing from Paris now, Neige and Winterhalter already gained much reputation with their releases. I did not pay too much attention as of yet, but when :: ALCEST :: got into their set, I was stunned! Captivated, fascinated and mesmerized! Especially tracks from the new album Écailles De Lune got me under their spell. Ok, the show was less exciting. Dense wads of smoke, no movements. But hey, ALCEST is a band to listen to, not to watch ;) Close your eyes and listen! Unbelievably intensive. I’m blown away. My first festival highlight!
Setlist: Printemps Émeraude, Les Iris, Écailles De Lune (Part I), Percées De Lumière, Souvenirs D'un Autre Monde

Now we go up to the north and hail :: CATAMENIA :: The Finns had to go through some line-up changes and I was much curious how the new ones would master their jobs. I have to say: especially new fronter Juha-Matti Perttunen does it great. He perfectly suits band and music. Another great moment came when Agathodaimon singer Chris joined them on stage for guest vocals. Besides, the show was ok, but not something special.
Setlist: Blood Trails, Post Mortem, Alive…Cold…Dead, Morning Crimson, The Day When The Sun Faded Away, Cavalcade, Coldbound, Talviyönvarjot, Kuolon Tanssi

Huuuuh… another band and musical direction I cannot stand: female fronted (epic) metal. But seemingly I’m the only one disinclined. Audience is on a high mood when :: BATTLELORE :: enter the stage and especially men start… ahem… drooling when kitty cat Kaisa Jouhki goes wild on stage. For my sake. Anyway, I need something… different *lol*

Ok, prayers got answered :) Let’s head into the interesting part of the evening beginning with :: HELRUNAR :: who filled the slot on a short notice for a cancelled band. HELRUNAR played three songs from their most recent release Sól and two very old ones that got vociferously sang along by the fans. The show once again was very, very intensive and gooseflesh-causing but unfortunately too smoky. Nothing to see on stage. Too bad, because HELRUNAR introduced their new bass player Samiel (also known from German Death metallers Abrogation).
Setlist: Kollapsar, Ich bin die Leere, Unter dem Gletscher, Nebelspinne, Älter als das Kreuz

Next highlight to come is :: GRAVEWORM :: Damn, such a long time I did not see them performing live and they still kick bloody asses. Finally we got some Death Metal treatment and a… erm… an unapproved wall of death ;) Next day many signs forbid such “dangerous demeanor”.

From the south up to the north again continuing with grim Black Metal :: KAMPFAR :: enter the stage and already leave the girls unsatisfied. Dolk wears a shirt, wtf! C’mon ladies, Ice Dale has to come right after ;) However, musically everyone should have been left pleased and satisfied. I don’t know how often I already have seen them but KAMPFAR always carry me away. Songs from the new album Mare for sure differ from the band’s previous work but get well received by the audience. Great show!
Setlist: Mare Inferno, Troll Dod Og Trolldom, Norse, Huldreland, Hymne, Vettekult, Altergang, Ravenheart

Yes, hearts beat faster, eyes start sparkling and with the mighty Ethica Odini :: ENSLAVED :: get into their show and leave me almost breathless. Axioma Ethica Odini is such a great record and on permanent rotation. Besides these Norwegian heroes also play tracks from Ruun and Isa, next to very, very old stuff with Allfadr Odhinn from the band’s first ever split release with Emperor Hordanes Land. Incredible show, the best one this evening. Me is blown away. Totally. And Mr. Ice Dale did us the favor… you know ;) Only thing to nag about were the lights, better said the absence of lights. Much counterproductive if you ask me ;)
Setlist: Ethica Odini, Raidho, Fusion Of Sense and Earth, Return To Yggdrasil, Giants, Ruun, Allfadr Odhinn, Isa, Slaget I Kogen Bortenfor

I also was looking forward to see :: NEGURA BUNGET :: again. But their prune-made booze is killing *laughs* back to the topic… NEGURA BUNGET played their well-proven set with songs of their latest albums. But I have to say, Norilor without an extra drummer does not sound the way it should! But the atmosphere generally was built up quickly and did it again. Even with the singing I got warm (I don’t like on the band’s just released EP Poarta De Dincolo). Altogether a great conclusion for the first festival day! :)
Setlist: Tara de Dincolo De Negura, Pamînt, Cunoa°terea Tacuta, Norilor, La Marginea Lumii, Hora Soarelui, Poarta de Dincolo, Arborele Lumii, Dacia Hiperboreana

Uphot: ALCEST just blew me away, ENSLAVED caused gooseflesh and I liked NEGURA BUNGET. As already said, HELRUNAR was intensive as fuck but the smoke was disappointing. No excessive party afterwards. Friends were still busy to get their equipment clear or already went back to their hotels. We had a long day too, still some stuff to do (ya know… photographers) and the next festival day would even start earlier.

story & pics © Dajana