523

And the focus of this band is of course singer maria ('Mascha') 'Scream' Archipowa, who uses mainly her mother tongue for her variable vocas. This band from Moskau can already look back onto five studioalbums and live recordings and one compilation, all produces between 2002 and now. Non compromising metal mixed with some russion folk influence is the slogan. But because I didn't get to see the full set of the opener here, I won't criticice too much about it. My first, personal and spontanious impression is, that I don't like female voices in this music. But well, whoever does like it, is well served here. 

More Infos concerning Arkona at: http://www.arkona-russia.com/



The next act in a row are  Varg.

And here we get to a band, who often gets sorted out into the right radical wing, although these guys constantly deny this Noone really knows, where these rumours come from, Maybe it's because of the questionable song lyrics, or the similarity in names to a norwegian guy, who's name is Varg  Vikernes, and who founded a new right wing of ethic. In addition of that, he was in priscon from 1993 until 2009 for the murder of  Black-Metal-Musician Øystein „Euronymous“ Aarseth. More to read about this strange man  hier.
However, our german Varg are going for 5 years now and have released 3 albums so far. the red and black body paint does give 'em some kind of dark touch. Musically they do fit in in this package, maybe a little more Death Metal and less folk.  

Singer Freki aka Phillip Seiler, does mention pretty clear sometime half way through the set, that the band has nothing to do with right radical stuff, and he shouts out: 'fuck off Nazis'. To be very honest, I don't have the impression that anybody in here cares about this right  now. And let's face it: 1) all these 16 years young teenies don't know what's all about that, and 2) within this moment everybody just wants to rock along and nothing else. And that's what they do with all the power they've got. Varg themselves are lucky, because after many discussions, they are finally allowed to play Wacken this year. Not much more to say about them, only maybe, that here it's shown, that it can be truly difficult to get rid of a negative image. Yeah well, as far as it's really only an image... hope so!
http://www.varg.de/

Alll good Pagan things are three and there we go with Dornenreich from Austria. 

Respect, these Dark Metalheads are already going for 16 years now including 6 studioalbums one live CD and one DVD. I've seen them before live on stage, but that time only in a 2 men line up. This time the magic starts also with only two, but after 2 tracks the drums join in, everything in dark blue and a lot of fog. Well whatever Jochen „Evíga“ Stock (Voc/Gitarre), Thomas „Inve“ Riesner (since 2006) and Moritz „Gilvan“ Neuner (Drums)play, it is certainly music you have to get used to. Though this band owns a lot of fans aleady, exspecially females, who enjoy these dark tunes. I for my part do not have any suicid thoughts yet, this dark mood usually developed by such music. However, no question, that these guys are good musician, exspecially what's up to the fidel 

But apart from that, Dornenreich are surely good to improve your individual passion for a manic depression So for all those who love lonely cemetries, or rainy, empty trainstations, this is the perfect entertainment....

http://www.dornenreich.com/

Gruezie miteinand we have to say to Eluveitie,our Swiss exclusive export on this Pagnmetal tour.  

The name is program, and these swiss guys have already worked up their place on the front. This here is not only a band, but almost an orchestra because of eight members - male and females. The generell is still Christian „Chrigel“ Glanzmann, who presents himself tonight with a hat, maybe to hide some weak spots. But hey, you don't need that nowadays do you.... ?! Anyway, it's a fact, that I do like this band most of all of them tonight because of their individual mixture made of metalcore and celtic helvetian folk.

Only the backpipe I still can't stand like always. This instrument for me is the red cloth as we say so. But well, it belongs to the music and it has to be accepted. I just ask myself, why so many band are going for their cultural roots, but not always going for the local language at their shows. But whatsoever, - whatever they are singing up there, even it was german or english, no fans is aware of it by heavy moshing in the pit. You know what I mean....don't you?!

But to make it short and painless. Eluveitie do very well here despite the fact, that one of their female singers has som voice problems tonight. And they get all the love back from the audiance, which will make sure, that they will surely continue the export of their musical herage. 

http://www.eluveitie.ch/

Well, there is one more to come, and that's Finntroll - the Kings on the road on the Paganfest. 

I don't need to tell you, where these guys are from,it's all shown in their name. We are in the 13th year of existence with just about 5 albums and three EPs, and they name their music  „Trollish Hoedown Metal“. Yiipieehh  my grey cells are melting with all these expressions and descriptions within the genre. One curious thing is the fact, that this band uses humppa influences in thier finnish metal and it takes care for listening. It's that special little something, which gets your ears bouncing on 10 degrees. Frontman Mathias'Vreth' Lillmåns, who is only 4 years in the band yet, does own a pretty good aura and of course voice. That one again uses one of the oldest singing technics, the so called Joik, which is for instance well recocnizable in the song 'Jakens Tid'-

And again there is a good resonance, exspecially once again from female fans in the audiance. But who care's. Id doesn't do any harm, so or so. Another funny aspect is, that although this band is finnish, they are using the swedish language, as they think it does sound more trollish. But maybe it's also due to the fact, that the band's first singer Jan „Katla“ Jämsen was from Sweden. The songs tell Troll stories (yeah what else??)  and nature and war topics. But if you don't get into this mythology you won't understand all of it anyway. On the other side, music is universal and speaks for itselves. And that's most important... ain't it?!

End of story is, our Kindergarden here at the sold out Backstage Werk is a 100% pleased, as the kids did get the chocolate cake with a lot of icing. But only because of that, we won't give in our confession, no matter if unholy spirits or cathoic samba dancing, - we don't care - it's been great and now good night....
http://www.finntroll.net/