Day five! Just two days ago I couldn’t believe we still had two more, but now it seems like time warped us straight into the weekend. Tricky thing this perception of time.
Since this was our last day in beautiful Tolmin, at least for this year, we decided to drop by earlier and see how the people are faring, what they are doing to pass the time when not moshing and headbanging. It’s not at all surprising that people find a way to keep themselves entertained long before any band hits the stage.
Monster Energy Drumming | photo Marko Ristić
At the New Forces Stage, near the camping site, the guys at Monster Energy set up a drum set for people passing by to test or prove their skill. From shy ones to complete pros, everybody had fun jamming in between the sound checks at the stage. Who knows, maybe this will inspire someone to take up drumming. As we made our way to the main stage we met a lot of people carrying inflatable boats, water still dripping as they passed.
Hell @ MetalDays 2017 | photo Marko Ristić | click for more
The first to hit the stage was the legendary UK heavy metal veterans, Hell. Disbanded in the 80’s after their label going bankrupt and their original singer Dave Halliday committed suicide, they were reformed in 2008 by the famous producer and guitarist Andy Sneap. Known for their theatrical performances, I was surprised to see the band on a naked stage. However, we soon found out that their show almost didn’t happen at all.
“We are Hell from England, formerly of Europe. This is what happens when you let stupid people vote” joked frontman David Bower as he explained their equipment was held at the Manchester airport. A trained actor, Dave Bower is definitely the band’s biggest asset, delivering a theatrical performance and never leaving the role for a second. His manners are matched by his voice, as he easily hit even the highest notes. To the joy of many, Dave descended among the crowd to baptize the audience. As you would expect from a bunch of veterans and a renowned producer, their sound and playing skills were tight, albeit the show was definitely too short.
Grand Magus @ MetalDays 2017 | photo Marko Ristić | click for more
Next on the schedule were the Swedish heavy metal Vikings from Grand Magus. A show I have to say was among the ones I was looking forward the most, their hour long set was a best-of repertoire featuring instant classics like “Hammer of the North”, “Ravens Guide Our Way”, “Iron Will” and “Steel Meets Steel”.
To be completely honest, I was so entranced by their performance that I did not pay attention to anyone else in the crowd, but could not help but hear the people chant with the band. Guitarist and singer JB Christoffersson proved once again that he is currently one of the most powerful voices in heavy metal. He was expertly backed by bass player Fox Skinner. The band ended their set with “Hammer of the North” featuring an epic sing-along performance by the crowd and bid them farewell.
These guys definitely prove that in metal, less is in fact often more. With no keyboard or vocal backing tracks, the band uses their instruments and vocal chords to create an atmosphere so powerful it drew the scattered crowd to the main stage.
Equilibrium @ MetalDays 2017 | photo Marko Ristić | click for more
Due to a scheduled interview with Hell, we only had the chance to catch a few songs by the German folk metal warriors Equilibrium. They completely transformed the stage to match the atmosphere of their music, adorning it with replicas of trees and an imposing backdrop. It was clear from the start that the band’s music is something that goes hand in hand with metal festivals, as crowd surfers did not seem to ever go tired. As we left for the interview the band organized a huge wall of death to the tune of their battle hymns.
Pain @ MetalDays 2017 | photo Marko Ristić | click for more
There is a fine line between genius and insanity, and there’s no better example than Peter Tägtgren, who performed next with his industrial metal project Pain. The band is currently on tour promoting their latest release “Coming Home”. However, their set represented a retrospective of their greatest hits.
The band’s stage set was imposing and depicted their latest album cover. The mood was perfect throughout the show, with people screaming and dancing to famous tunes like “Zombie Slam”, “Dirty Woman” and “Suicide Machine”. The crowd exploded when the band performed their most famous track, “Shut Your Mouth” after which the band bid the crowd farewell.
Heaven Shall Burn @ MetalDays 2017 | photo Marko Ristić | click for more
Everything was getting ready for the show that was going to close the main stage at this year’s edition of the festival. This is not the first time Heaven Shall Burn performed at MetalDays, and last time they did ended up as one of the largest recorded circle pits. Therefore the expectations were high and people were visibly excited before the show even begun.
It was clear from the second the show started that this year’s performance may very well beat the last one, as confetti burst from the stage followed by impressive pyrotechnics display. The minute the music started playing the crowd formed a giant wall of death that stretched all the way from the stage to the sound tower.
Heaven Shall Burn @ MetalDays 2017 | photo Marko Ristić | click for more
The people sang and cheered throughout the set, and you could cut the excitement in the air with a knife. The crowd followed the band through old tracks as well as new off of their latest album “Wanderer”. The band used an impressive stage set to further enhance their music, as their set resembled an old factory.
Frontman Marcus Bischoff used every chance to thank the audience for the amazing reception as the band shredded through their discography. Walls of death, mosh pits, circle pits and crowd surfing did not stop for a second but for the pauses between the songs. The sheer power of their performance could turn a casual listener into a die-hard fan and the band made the most out of this incredible opportunity to formally close one of the biggest European metal festivals.
Heaven Shall Burn @ MetalDays 2017 | photo Marko Ristić | click for more
I thought saying farewell to Tolming would be much more difficult, as we spent seven perfect days in this incredible retreat. But as we’re rushing down the highway, I find myself feeling not sad that it’s over, but hyped and looking forward to next year as if it were just around the corner, trying to guess which bands could be headlining the next edition.
MetalDays is definitely a vacation every metalhead should experience at least once. The positive atmosphere, the kind people, the great bands and flawless organization make this experience all the more satisfying. As if seeing a ton of your favorite bands in one place wasn’t enough.
Heaven Shall Burn @ MetalDays 2017 | photo Marko Ristić | click for more