Korpiklaani & Moonsorrow – Islington academy, London – 20th April 2016

Tonight’s co-headline gig sees both bands getting good length sets.  First up are Pagan metal band, Moonsorrow.  They’ve got a dark, heavy, pagan sound that borders on black metal.  A glance at the setlist shows just 8 songs, so you might think that it was a short set, but nothing could be further from the truth – they planed a good 90 minutes, but their songs are long and intricate.  Moonsorrow are a band I’m not really a fan of, but I have to say they were very good tonight, putting in a great set.  The crowd loved them too.  A very good start to the night.

Setlist:

Jumalten aika
Raunioilla
Suden Tunti
Jotunheim
Ruttolehto
Ukkonen
Ihmisen aika
Sankaritarina

Next was the turn of Finnish folk metal band Korpiklaani.  After the darker sounds of Moonsorrow, Korpiklaani’s brand of folk metal are just what the crowd needs to turn the night into a party.  There’s something about Korpiklaani’s music that makes you want to drink and have fun.  Tonight’s set includes six songs from their latest album, Noita along with plenty more from their earlier albums. Korpiklaani balance the folk and metal elements perfectly keeping things heavy without losing that folk sound.
It’s a great set from the band who all look to be having as much fun as the crowd are.  What better way is there to end the set than their classic…Vodka!

Setlist:

Viinamäen mies
Journey Man
Pilli on pajusta tehty
Kantaiso
Lempo
Ämmänhauta
Erämaan Ärjyt
Ruumiinmultaa
Petoeläimen kuola
Sumussa hämärän aamun
Vaarinpolkka
Rauta
Kipumylly
Metsämies
Kultanainen
Minä näin vedessä neidon
Palovana
Sahti
Karhunkaatolaulu
Kylästä keväinen kehto
Vodka

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About Ant May

I spend half my life at gigs or festivals and the other half writing the reviews and editing photos, and somehow find time for a full time job too. Who needs sleep - I've got coffee.