Review and Photos by Fred Kuhlman
Promoter: 13th Floor Entertainment (https://www.13thfloorentertainment.com/ )
Venue: The Nile Theater (https://www.theniletheater.com/ )
Date: Wednesday March 27th, 2024
Tour: The Red, White, and Hoots North American Tour 2024
Sorry for the delay of this review, but with family, Easter and helping a friend move to Tucson, I have been a little busy. But it’s time to get back to concerts and reviews.
Unfortunately, this was the end of this tour for Gloryhammer & Twilight Force (2 more shows were left). But if tonight’s show was any indication, both bands are still giving it their all and putting on a fantastic performance. When I first showed up at the venue, I saw some lady in the parking lot getting dressed in a dragon outfit. I was wondering why since Gloryhammer’s music is about goblins, unicorns and The Hootsman. So, why the Dragon outfit. Well, I finally figured it out once Twilight Force came on stage. Joining these two great bands was a local favorite, Adavänt.
I am now a huge fan of all three of these bands. If you get the chance to see any of them then I would highly recommend it. You will be transported to a time and place of mystical wonder and overcome by fantastic metal music. You can always tell how good a band is and how into their fans are by how much the audience sings along. I could still hear the band, but the audience was very loud.
Again, I want to make a pitch for everyone to purchase items from the bands at their Merch tables. I understand you can stream their music, but they get very little from that streaming. If you want to see bands like this continue to tour and make great music for us, then please help them out and buy directly from them.
Gloryhammer
I have seen Gloryhammer a couple of times before the pandemic when they had a different lead singer. This was the first time I have seen Sozos Michael as Angus McFife, on lead vocals. The rest of the band consists of Paul Templing as Ser Proletius on guitar, Ben Turk as Ralathor on drums, Michael Barber as Zargothrax on keyboards and James Cartwright as The Hootsman on bass.
This tour was to help promote their newest album, Return to the Kingdom of Fife that was released last June. They have 4 albums released and this concert was a mixture from all of the albums.
Tonight, the band seemed a little subdued from what I remember from past shows. It might have just been since it was the end of the tour. But even this show was fantastic. If you have never seen a Gloryhammer show, their music evolves around mythical characters that each member of the band portrays. The 2 major characters are The Hootsman and Angus McFife. Many of the songs cover the story or history of these characters. Also, their music has a lot of mythical overtures including goblins, unicorns and a magical “Laser Powered Goblin Smasher, Glory! Hammer!”.
Don’t let their musical titles fool you, they are heavy metal. Their music comes at you like a thundering blast straight out of Dundee. From the very first songs, “Holy Flaming Hammer” and “Gloryhammer” they had the house rockin’. They played all of my favorites including “Questlords of Inverness” and “Universe On Fire”. They ended the set with 2 of their best songs (IMO), “Hootsman” and “The Unicorn Invasion Of Dundee”. Overall, it was everything I expected, great music, fantastic musicians and outstanding stage show.
You can check out Gloryhammer on their social media sites and webpage. Their music is also available on all of the streaming channels and YouTube. So, enjoy…
Gloryhammer Social Media sites:
Website: https://www.gloryhammer.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gloryhammer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gloryhammerofficial/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPGTSBEsBiITt6ZaniWufag
Gloryhammer
Photos © Fred Kuhlman 2024, All Rights Reserved
Twilight Force
The middle band, Twilight Force, tonight was new to me. I have never seen them before. From the little I heard of their music prior to their show, I knew I would like them. They are a style of music I enjoy, symphonic power metal. Well, I total was blown away by their performance. They were outstanding. From the very start all of the members of the band commanded the stage. The lead singer was dynamic and their female backup singer was amazing. Together they hit it out of the park.
Twilight consists of Philip Lindh (Lynd) on lead guitar, Daniel Beckman (Blackwald) on keyboards, Dunder Björn Lundqvist (Born) on bass, Jocke Leandro Johansson (Aerendir) on rhythm guitar, Isak Olsson (De’Azsh) on drums and Alessandro Conti (Allyon) as lead singer. They were joined by female singer Kristin Starkey.
“Twilight Force is a Swedish symphonic power metal band known for their highly fantastical lyrics and LARP-style outfits which the band performs onstage in. The band’s main lyrical themes are based on the lore of a fictional world known as The Twilight Kingdoms, created by keyboardist Daniel Beckman.” (from Wikipedia)
Their set covered all 4 of their studio albums with 4 songs coming from their latest album, At the Heart of Wintervale. They only played 9 songs, but that was just enough for the fans. Everyone was singing along and dancing with the band. And when Kristin came out with the little dragon (blow up toy) the crowd went nuts.
Since they are out of Sweden, they have had both Joakim Brodén and Tommy Johansson of Sabaton join them on tour. Unfortunately, not here on this tour. You can find out more about Twilight Force on either their Social Media pages or website. You can also listen to their music on any of the streaming channels.
Twilight Force Social Media sites:
Website: https://www.nuclearblast.com/pages/twilight-force
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/twilightforce/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twilight_force
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCC2vosEc_9UsSLkE36T3yA
Twilight Force
Photos © Fred Kuhlman 2024, All Rights Reserved
Adavänt
I might sound a little bias since I am friends with the band, but Adavänt is one of my favorite local bands. I try to see them whenever they play and have been at their last CD release party. Unfortunately, I have heard that their lead guitarist, Justin, is leaving the band. This will put a hurt on them and they will have to locate someone to fill his shoes. Hopefully they will locate someone soon.
I was told that part of the band will be forming another band and are working on some new songs. When I find out more, I will let you know. Until then, let’s hope that Adavänt can find another guitarist. Note: It is not uncommon for local band members to be part of multiple bands. Some do it just to get more exposure, some for more gigs and some to just play different music.
They had a short set of just 30 minutes and 6 songs since they were the first band. Almost all of the songs were from their latest CD, The Mystic and the Mountain. The one song I wish they would have played was “The Black Barrel Ale”. However, their overall set was very good.
It was strange but not unexpected to see their lead male singer, Nathan jumped off the stage and join the mosh pit during their last song, “Of Gnomes and War”.
Check out Adavänt on their social media pages or website. You can also steam their music on all of the popular streaming sites.
Adavänt Social Media sites:
Website: https://adavant.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AdavantOfficial/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AdavantOfficial/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-XIBRcvwLl6954wQaKmGBA
Adavänt
Photos © Fred Kuhlman 2024, All Rights Reserved
Gloryhammer Setlist: (Album)
——Incoming Transmission—– (Return to the Kingdom of Fife)
Holy Flaming Hammer (Return to the Kingdom of Fife)
Gloryhammer (Legends from Beyond the Galactic Terrorvortex)
The Land of Unicorns (Legends from Beyond the Galactic Terrorvortex)
Fly Away (Fly Away – Single)
Angus McFife (Tales from the Kingdom of Fife)
Questlords of Inverness (Space 1992: Rise of the Chaos Wizards)
——-2001 Sunrise—–
Wasteland Warrior Hoots Patrol (Return to the Kingdom of Fife)
Fife Eternal (Return to the Kingdom of Fife)
Masters Of The Galaxy (Legends from Beyond the Galactic Terrorvortex)
Siege Of Dunkeld (In Hoots We Trust) (Legends from Beyond the Galactic Terrorvortex)
Keeper Of The Celestial Flame (Return to the Kingdom of Fife)
Universe On Fire (Space 1992: Rise of the Chaos Wizards)
Hootsforce (Legends from Beyond the Galactic Terrorvortex)
The Unicorn Invasion Of Dundee (Tales from the Kingdom of Fife)
The National Anthem of Unst (Space 1992: Rise of the Chaos Wizards – Special with 2015 box set)
Twilight Force Setlist: (Album)
Dawn of the Dragonstar (Dawn of the Dragonstar)
Twilight Force (At the Heart of Wintervale)
Dragonborn (At the Heart of Wintervale)
Thundersword (Dawn of the Dragonstar)
Flight of the Sapphire Dragon (Heroes of Mighty Magic)
Sunlight Knight (At the Heart of Wintervale)
At the Heart of Wintervale (At the Heart of Wintervale)
The Power of the Ancient Force (Tales of Ancient Prophecies)
Knights of Twilight’s Might (Heroes of Mighty Magic)
Adavänt Setlist: (Album)
Voyage of The Vagrant Heart (Tales Untold)
Miss Maddie’s Forge (The Mystic and the Mountain)
Lunar Cutless (The Mystic and the Mountain)
Feast of Fiends (The Mystic and the Mountain)
Of Gnomes and War (The Mystic and the Mountain)
