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Live Report from „The Black Heart Tour“ of Marko Hietala Supported by Oceanhoarse @ Z7 in Pratteln Some shows are worth travelling to see them. Marko Hietala presenting his solo album accompanied by some exceptionally great fellow musicians and supported by Oceanhoarse certainly is such a show. Among the large number of projects he is in, is there any of those that matters more to him than the others – apart from obvious features, I ask him (interview to be posted soon)? He points out how special his solo album has become to him (check out the interview on obsuro.eu).…

Sunset over crystal blue Lake Lucerne waters crossed by the famous Chapel Bridge – Time to leave the picturesque city centre and walk along the rails to cosy venue called “Schüür”, literally translated into “barn”. Indeed, the charm of this historic building makes a perfect setting for metal concerts. Tonight is the night. A very special night, no doubt. The program consists of two parts: First, the semi-final of the Swiss Wacken Open Air Metal Battle demands the ultimate performance of it’s competitors. Then Bloodred Hourglass, the Finnish Melodic Death Metal heroes play their first ever headlining gig outside their…

The Euroblast Prog Metal Festival 2019 was a very relaxed experience. Some 46 bands plus after show party gigs on four days is rather a marathon than a program. Take this report as an appetizer. Let’s fly in to breathe some Kölsch metal air and explore the treasure island of the German festival calendar. The Smell Of Vinegar … Essigfabrik in Cologne – quite close to the huge Lanxess Arena – is a very atmospheric venue for a festival, even more if the weather invites us to spend some time in the cozy yard between the stage slots. There is…

This lineup might confuse at first. Orchestral void and proggy tales – could that work? Indeed, it can. And it does here! The passion for dark soundscapes from three very different angles adds to a atmospheric beauty of a renaissance fresco in metal. A Tuesday might not be the perfect day to fill a venue for any lineup. And so – no surprise – it was not a sold-out show, but the crowd was quite decent in numbers, still! Actually that meant just enought space to mosh, and bang and drink a beer in between. The undiluted power of more…

Insomnium released „Heart Like A Grave“ (review) back in October and immediately kicked of a series of tours beginning with release shows in their home country Finland and then continental Europe.  Our photos were taken on their show in Berlin in early December. This tour – currently continued in the UK and Finland – is the first with Jani Liimatainen (The Dark Element with Anette Olzon) since he was officially presented as the band’s additional guitarist. Jani has been a friend and stand-in for Ville Friman for years when Ville could not tour due to his day job obligations. He…