Paganfest 4/28/14

 

Paganfest has always had a soft spot in my heart. I love the Finnish music that brings all the true metal heads to the venue it is held yearly. This year was quite a blend of folk, power and even Taiwanese metal as Korpiklaani, Turisas and Chthonic joined forces with German metallers Varg and Cinnicinatti’s folk monsters Winterhymn. For nearly six hours, Paganfest broughtt out the best of what it stood for.

Winterhymn opened up the show with power. The monsters of Cincinatti proved their worth with their own brand of folk metal thanks to the round of applause and hollering from the audience. Their lighting was okay considering the use of red and green was consistent for the 3 songs us photographers had. I was literally waiting for the snow to start falling from the stage ceiling since the costumes were so well put together. It was a sight to see, especially from a folk metal band belonging to the states. The twenty minutes they played were enjoyable and I hope to see them again. Winterhymn can be found on their Facebook page in the link provided. No set-list included, but check their photos below.

Varg came out very strong. Considering I have not seen them in two years, I truly enjoyed seeing how they have evolved as a band. The lighting was very intense, as it complimented the intensity of the entire act. For 3 songs it was nothing  but brightly saturated green and strobe lights, straight yellow and the deadly red overtones. Their stage setup was impressive with a massive VARG banner in the back with the wolf and some side banners all draped in German red/black and yellow. No set-list was available but they were extremely fun to watch yet again. One of my personal favorites continuing to do what they do best. Now when they play Paganfest again sometime in the future, I have photos to get autographed by them.

Chthonic has been under my radar since I found out their presence would be felt at Paganfest this year. The Taiwanese metal band took a very dark undertone for their set. But, I tell you, every ounce of my attention was fixated on this bands performance. The photos, the atmosphere, the grace of it all. One of the better beautiful sets to watch and the music was unbelievable. I wish I had a set-list to share with you but there was none for this set either. One of the highlights of the show was when lead singer Freddy Lim began teaching the audience how to curse in their native language. It was hysterical listening to 700+ people curse “F**K your mother” in Taiwanese Mandarin. The hits kept on coming and hopefully they return to the States very, very, VERY…. soon.

The epitome of Battle Metal began as Turisas hit the stage. With a brand new set design and new costumes to boot, the black/red draped warriors of the Finnish city of Hämeenlinna came down to the States to bring the battle to our doorstep. Many fans were in costume for Turisas with various face painted designs and clothing that enriched the culture of the music and history they represent. The die hard fans are worth going to see the show all in itself. The characterization of the bands entire premise is articulated so seamlessly by its fans that you swear they too were part of the band. The set was awesome, playing off their current album “2013”, the atmospheric lights kept the band in the perspective they should be in when playing an indoor show. Bright reds and purples held up for a song and a half, then transitioned onto sky blues and thick walls of green. The red was more appropriate for the actual stage but then again, it doesn’t work in a photographers favor. I did however, enjoy keeping the photos as natural as possible and keeping them true to what was witnessed. Check out the set-list and the photos below.

1. Ten More Miles
2. Take the Day!
3. To Holmgard and Beyond
4. Rex Rexi Rebellis
5. For Your Own Good
6. Battle Metal
7. No Good Story Ever Starts With Drinking Tea
8. We Ride Together
9. Miklagard Overture

Encore:
10. Stand Up and Fight
11. Rasputin

Korpiklaani are the dominant force of Folk Metal. Lets just get that statement out the way now. These guys come to party and they bring it with such casual fashion & finesse that turning your back to do something else is just merely impossible. However, I had a much better time shooting them at Gramercy Theater a few years ago than I did this night. The lights were so vivid with ZERO fluorescent white and/or NO way to get rid of the shadows that were beyond glaring to my camera. Some of my shots made it to my par, but not the expectations I was anticipating like last time. The music however, did not disappoint. Folk circles and circle pits were rampant throughout the hour and twenty minutes the band played. Fans cheered, sang, demanded their encores and danced the night away in a positive manner. I have yet to see any fight break out at a Paganfest and this is by far one of the better qualities of this type of music. Its fun, its visual, and most of all, its powerful. The band ended their night by playing one of my personal classical favorites “Overture” by Bizet from the French opera Carmen. It was quite a way to end what was a spectacular night of music from all over the globe. Check out the set-list and photos below.

1. Tuonelan Tuvilla
2. Ruumiinmultaa
3. Metsamies
4. Veriset Aparat
5. Kantaiso
6. Juodaan Viinaa
7. Petoelaimen Kuola
8. Sumussa Hamaran Aamun
9. Spring Dance
10. Kultanainen
11. Uniaika
12. Louhen Yndeksas Poika
13. Uni
14. Vodka
15. Ievan Polkka
16. Rauta
17. Wooden Pints

When you have tour packages that bring out the positive message of metal, you get a positive result. The night proved to be a success as the presence of every band was felt. Not only did each band come out to their mercy tables at the end’s of their respected sets, they also hung out and took photos with fans and drank. I myself, waited another hour after the show to meet with some of the members of Turisas and Korpiklaani, to extend my gratitude for their music and get some photos autographed from the first Paganfest I participated in. At times like this, you know when certain tours are worth going to see, and ones that hold a tradition to which one can never falter. I for one choose the latter.

Catch all of you rockers on the flip side. Also, check out the spoils from the night with photos from many of the band members in the tour package and the autographs.

—Derek Soto—

You can find the Flickr photos by Clicking HERE!

Winterhymn Photo Gallery

Varg Photo Gallery

Cathonic Photo Gallery

Turisas Photo Gallery

Korpiklaani Photo Gallery