Finland’s fun lovin’, beer swilling folk heroes Korpiklaani returned to Australia this past week with the final show hitting Perth on Sunday night. A decent turnout along with a few surprises along the way made for a great night of live music.
The overall theme here at Amplifier Bar in Perth was fun and melody and we got that in the form of three bands of different genres but all sharing that same sense of catchiness and entertainment value that we come to expect at a live show. With a newly renovated venue setting the tone for a difference, it was Perth’s own Silent Knight who kicked things off with their Power Metal Supreme style of music. The now veteran 5 piece are never a let down and despite being the openers, got the crowd right involved from the onset with a tight performance that was right in the pocket the whole time. The fact that it’s all smiles with this band really shines back into the crowd as they blasted through a set of favorites Perth has come to be familiar with over time.
Coming in from the seaside town of Wollongong, Troldhaugen were the surprise of the night easily. The highly theatrical band were a hybrid of many different genres that jumped into bits of heavy rock, nu-metal, electronic dance, pop, industrial and rock opera all in one. Dressed in various garments of egyptian styled clothing with the frontman changing outfits more times than a Lady Gaga show, the wildly eccentric performance was entertaining at best with the music side of things a hit and miss, depending on what you liked. There was a weird progressiveness to it all but the rock opera style of the antics on stage was really what grabbed you, hilarious, weird, fun but most importantly, entertaining. They came , they saw, they conquered and confused. Mission accomplished.
Finland’s best folk metal band were up next and admittedly, while this genre of music is not necessarily at the top of my music lists, I’ve always enjoyed Korpiklaani as they bring something a little more different and unique. Their last run 6 years ago was a lot of fun and impressed the hell out of me so I anticipated much of the same again.
Supporting their latest release “Kulkija” out last year, the band have been hitting the road fairly hard and it was nice to see Perth included on that trek. Many of the fan favorites made it onto the set of course including “Hunting Song” and while many of the songs are in their native language, that didn’t stop the crowd from singing along and getting right into it. The catchy, thumping nature of the band’s music makes for various forms of moshpit dancing as young and old got right into the swing of things.
“Wooden Pints” and “Beer Beer” of course had to be highlights and they came much later in the set which by that time was gathering the last of the energy into the beer swilling drunkeness of the swaying people dispersing all over the room. As the band ended things with “Happy Little Boozer” and said their goodbyes, we were reminded once again what a fun show looks like. With all bands involved giving us a full night of entertainment, why would you choose to stay home on a Sunday night when things like this are going on?
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Adrian Thomson
Korpiklaani
Troldhaugen, Silent Knight
