I saw Hammerfall once already this year when they played some warm-up shows in Finland. This time the band had brought their entire stage-show to Finland. The stage was designed to look like an arctic landscape, and the gig began with some fake snow coming from the ceiling. Maybe not the best idea considering Finland is just getting ready for months of snow, ice and coldness, but it looked cool anyway.
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Luckily the band had shuffled the setlist around a bit since the last time, and we were treated to a real gem in the form of At the End of the Rainbow. As much as I hate to sound like a geezer, I really enjoyed the older material the most, while the songs from the last two albums didn't make much of an impact on me, except for Fury of the Wild.
The band themselves were in good form, although the sound could have been a bit better. I suspect the venue is not well-designed for metal gigs, as Stratovarius seemed to have the same problem. The audience was loud and intense, but it really needed guidance on what to do, as I didn't hear much singing during the chorus of Hammerfall or during the sing-along in Heeding the Call (which got going after Joacim showed how to do it, though). Anyway, the band seemed happy, and we were a better crowd than the stiffs at Helsinki.
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Hammerfall setlist:
1. Secrets
2. Riders of the Storm
3. Renegade
4. Let the Hammer Fall
5. Hammerfall
6. Drum solo
7. Fury of the Wild
8. At the End of the Rainbow
9. Steel Meets Steel
10. Blood Bound
11. Heeding the Call
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12. Templars of Steel
13. Hearts on Fire
Stratovarius had an interesting stage set-up, as there were two screens behind the stage that at first showed footage from the band's trip to South America earlier this year. When the band began their set, the screens showed a picture describing whatever song was being played at the time, such as a watch during Father Time and, well, ice and snow during The Land of Ice and Snow.
It was very nice to hear Eagleheart in the set, as it really hasn't been played live many times, despite what people might think. The band seemed to be enjoying themselves, and new man Lauri Porra is truly a bass wizard, as his bass solo proved. The solo and following ballad slowed the gig down a bit too much for my taste, though. Of course, I'll take Land of Ice and Snow over Forever any day, thanks to the great marching drum near the end. After the slow period, the gig reached it's pinnacle in my personal opinion. The screens started showing death-tolls from the world wars. I was expecting the Hitler-song, really, but the text went on:
When will we learn?
We are all in this together.
We're all in the same boat.
We are all one.
The key to the universe is love.
We are United.
That moment truly sent shivers down my spine, as I had promised I wouldn't leave the gig before I heard this song. Very corny, but that's what made it so good.
Stratovarius setlist:
1. Maniac Dance
2. Speed of Light
3. Kiss of Judas
4. Eagleheart
5. Father Time
6. Twilight Symphony
7. Fight
8. Bass solo
9. The Land of Ice and Snow
10. United
11. Hunting High and Low
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12. Destiny
13. Black Diamond
As I said, the sound wasn't that good during the whole night, but it got the job done. And the line-up was probably the best my hometowns ever had, so it's a small complaint. I'm not good at judging crowds, but I'd say there were a little over one thousand people there. A few guys in the crowd were complaining about the lack of attendance, but to me it seemed like a good turnout, and the bands said they were positively surprised at the good crowds, as well.