 | Written and photographed by Navneet Johal (C) 2019 All rights reserved by www.metalmasterkingdom.com NORTH AMERICAN PAGAN REBELLION II TOUR ARKONA w/ METSATOLL, PROTOKULT and IOMAIR @ Velvet Underground Toronto, ON, Canada August 27, 2019 Presented by Inertia Entertainment On a cloudy lightly drizzling mid-summer evening, folk metal lovers strolled into the dingy shelter of Velvet Underground, donning various band shirts, flags, and drinking horns. The crowd pouring in immediately after the doors opened was rather small and family-like, but nevertheless, delivered stadium level cheers of support for the first opening band of the night Iomair. |
With a combination of progressive guitar chords, catchy melodies, folky violin ballads, dark growls and clean singing, Iomair is difficult to categorize musically. Their innovative style has carved out a dedicated niche in Toronto’s metal scene. The highlight of Iomair’s set was the Dark Tranquility cover of "Misery’s Crown"; the crowd excitedly screamed along with Sam and Gabe the lyrics: “Don’t bring it! Don’t bring your misery down on me!”
Next on stage were beer-loving folk tune-smiths Protokult, with a special guest, the exceedingly talented and beautiful Alina Gavrilenko (Snowmaiden, DiAmorte, Haven Dream). Alina and Kat’s duet blended perfectly through "Heaven Cast Me Out". The crowd riled into a ferocious circle pit patriotically screaming to "Oy Kanada" and never to disappoint, beer maidens came onto stage dancing and pouring drinking horns into the gaping maws of a thirsty audience.
Next on stage were beer-loving folk tune-smiths Protokult, with a special guest, the exceedingly talented and beautiful Alina Gavrilenko (Snowmaiden, DiAmorte, Haven Dream). Alina and Kat’s duet blended perfectly through "Heaven Cast Me Out". The crowd riled into a ferocious circle pit patriotically screaming to "Oy Kanada" and never to disappoint, beer maidens came onto stage dancing and pouring drinking horns into the gaping maws of a thirsty audience.
| IOMAIR Photo credit: Navneet Johal / (C) 2019 www.metalmasterkingdom.com | PROTOKULT Photo credit: Navneet Johal / (C) 2019 www.metalmasterkingdom.com |
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The black, white and blue stripes were raised next for Estonia’s Metsatoll, delivering epic tales and proud anthems of their homeland. Varulven enthralled with his mastery of traditional instruments: Estonian bagpipes, flutes, jaw harp and zither strings while Markus’ ferocious war cries riled up a frenzied mosh pit.
Finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for, the lights dimmed out; Masha Scream’s chant mesmerized the congregation with the rhythmic beating of a hand drum – the intro track of Arkona latest release Khram; four more songs from the latest offering would follow. As with 2014’s Yav; Khram incorporates black and progressive metal elements, creating a mournful somber mood quite distinct from previous albums. Later, the atmosphere was reversed with exuberant dancing, moshing and jumping for classic crowd pleasers "Goi Rode Goi", "Zakliatie", and "Yarilo", complete with a wall of death for "Stenka Na Stenku". Myself and dozens of other happy fans left covered in beer and sweat.
Finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for, the lights dimmed out; Masha Scream’s chant mesmerized the congregation with the rhythmic beating of a hand drum – the intro track of Arkona latest release Khram; four more songs from the latest offering would follow. As with 2014’s Yav; Khram incorporates black and progressive metal elements, creating a mournful somber mood quite distinct from previous albums. Later, the atmosphere was reversed with exuberant dancing, moshing and jumping for classic crowd pleasers "Goi Rode Goi", "Zakliatie", and "Yarilo", complete with a wall of death for "Stenka Na Stenku". Myself and dozens of other happy fans left covered in beer and sweat.
| METSATOLL Photo credit: Navneet Johal / (C) 2019 www.metalmasterkingdom.com | ARKONA Photo credit: Navneet Johal / (C) 2019 www.metalmasterkingdom.com |
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