Tired Warriors… 32nd Battle… The Grand Finale… Mission Complete

London - Hamburg - Helsinki
Out of the airplane, defrosted, napped, changing clothes, charging the cam and entered the train towards Hamburg. After a 36 hrs non-stop-trip the next one was supposed to follow right on ;)
Haunting across Europe for one and a half month Norse black metallers SATYRICON and Swedish hopefuls ZONARIA finally face the last show. The warriors are tired, having had only 3 days off on the entire trek. And those who have seen them performing live know that both bands give 150% at every fucking single show.

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On an early evening Hamburg’s Reeperbahn and the surprisingly small club Knust got entered (around the corner of the Docks, Große Freiheit… etc.) Roadrunner lady Therese had her hands full to get the “last-day-chaos” and the remaining interviews handled. My interview part was short, drummer Frost tired but talkative.
The club itself looked like roomy for around 400 people; in fact, it’s made for 800 people! And these 800 people would find its way into this club! Means, the Knust was sold out tonight.
And it seemed like the Knust has for the very first time seen a stage barrier and somewhat of a photopit (maybe just a foot and with cases and spotlights in it, but I fitted in too ;)).

Two bands (Evile dropped off the tour after Ol Drake broke his chops in Rotterdam), an early beginning (7pm) and a short evening (curfew 10pm), and all that just because a Reggae party was closing in! Gee, that's going to be fun… ;)

On a tiny stage room :: ZONARIA :: kicked off on time, already playing this club the second time, welcoming the fans with: „great to be back again“. Those fans were still clearly arranged and took it easy. Some already shouted for Satyricon, which I somehow understood, but it is for sure nice and supportive to the band playing. However, the guys didn’t care and delivered once again an raring and energetic show to bring their sophomore The Cancer Empire (released on Oct 24) closer to the audience. It in fact took some time, but with Simon brightly gabbing to the audience and the symphonic songs crushing in, the crowd finally melted and paid tribute. As for me I find the cats downright simpatico and they delivered a great show!

Before it was upon time for :: SATYRICON :: to enter the stage, the Knust was really packed. No fingerbreadth room anymore. The fans stood their full of expectation… and they won’t be disappointed! As at the shows before (check out Satan’s Convention & the Munich Gig) SATYRICON played a mercilessly great show. Damn… how to describe? SATYRICON was might! Bathed in glistening white lights and with excellent sound the guys played incredible tight, perfect, precise and with brutal power. With the fans completely freakin’ out, the location was at risk to burst. And Satyr still cheered for them, always being close to the crowd, paying attention to all fans, no matter if in the first row or on the balustrade, the stairs, whatever. Unbelievably intensive! When Satyr (btw. downright charismatic and not that arrogant and reserved as assumed) later called for moshpits, I really was afraid that it now would get the first injuries. Luckily not, instead blissful faces everywhere ;) Focusing on newer material, on the last 3 albums to b exactly, only three “classics” were played in between. That might be not satisfying for the die-hard fans, but with a record such as The Age Of Nero up the sleeves, there is no need to repeat what was already played 15 years ago ;) And yes, SATYRICON visibly enjoyed being frenetically adored. What a show! One of the best, one of the greatest shows in 2008, that’s for sure!
Setlist: Intro, Repined Bastard Nation, The Wolfpack, Now, Diabolical, Havoc Vulture, Black Crow On A Tombstone, Forhekset, Commando, To The Mountains, The Rite Of Our Cross/The Sign Of The Trident, Die By My Hand, The Pentagram Burns // K.I.N.G., Fuel For Hatred // Mother North

Having found an early end, many fans stayed in the club drinking and talking, scaring away the dreadlocks ;) Well, what a stupid plan. Fortunately, the entourage decided for a pub crawl at the Reeperbahn (Hamburgs known red-light district), again with live music, where the bands (guitar & bass player) were in need (no room) to play ON!!! the counter.
As for me it was a very welcome bridgeover, since my DB-go-home-service was set on 5:37am. And… surprise, surprise… although the ICE was set in directly in Hamburg, it already had a 1 hr delay right from the grid *grrrr* Anyway, made it back home on time to directly head to the late shift. Hellish knackered, but happy ;)

story & pics © Dajana