26/05/2023 – Elvenking + Great Master + Helicon @ Legend Club

report of Elio Ferrara
picture of piero paravidino

Elvenking celebrated its second release party for the publication of the beautiful “Reader of the Runes – Rapture”, the second chapter of the concept they started with “Reader of the Runes – Divination” in 2019, almost a month ago a prime time After’ Astro Club of Fontanafredda (PN): If, on that occasion they really played at home, being Friulian, in this case we can say that they are still welcoming places like the legend club in Milan Finding themselves in an atmosphere where metal is really at home and where Elvenking himself is a frequent guest, offering a certain guarantee in terms of attendance, although we cannot say that the evening was sold out.
With them, Helicon and Great Master shared the stage: this time, therefore, we selected two groups more oriented towards power than other concerts in the same venue where the folk metal component seemed to predominate, but still a Overall with sonority consistent with the headliner’s distinctive power/folk, especially in relation to the Great Masters.

helicon
We arrive a little before the doors open and we see how the Legend Club presents itself in a certain sense in the summer version, since the usual verandas and gazebos that are usually found at the entrance to the bar have been removed , Thus the large outdoor has been enhanced. The spaces and gardens, where it is pleasant to relax, even in the evenings are splendid and the temperature mild (indeed, even a bit warm).
Helicon is a band from Brescia that has one EP and one full length, but will be releasing a new EP soon, three songs from which are previewed, as well as some more dated pieces like “Prince of the Night” and a cover by Megadeth, the famous “Tornado of Souls”. Their prelude indeed has thrash vibes, but their attitude seemed closer to power and melodic metal, also due to the singer’s clean and high pitched voice. The band was faced, as is often the case with many debutant bands, with the fact of being in front of an audience that probably knows them little and is just not there to see them, but our impression was very positive.
In fact, the group has shown that it knows its stuff and has been able to warm up the present audience who were no less, who did not put them off at all, proving that they are capable of catalysing their attention and their interest. are capable.

great master
The story of Great Masters is a bit special, because we are talking about a group that already has a respectable discography behind it, but which may never have been able to score big hits or enjoy that much success which he deserved: yet, when we see him on stage, all his skill and ability to hold the public is immediately apparent, which is found to be involved with an ease and immediacy, perhaps even rare.
We’ll see if his definitive consecration can happen with the upcoming new album, “Montecristo” (inspired by the novel by A. Dumas), whose publication is scheduled for next September: so it’s a bit early to present the album, but it Played at least in preview (for the first time live), is the lead single, which is also the title track.
However, his show begins with songs from his catalog from “Lion and Queen” from 2016 and “Pirates” from 2019 to “Skull and Bones – Tales from Over the Seas” and “In the Harbor” from 2021. Last (not an actual album, but a compilation of sorts that also includes reinterpretations of traditional songs related to pirate figures). The band’s performance as a whole is convincing, with stories that range from the chill of Kamchatka to the warmth of the Caribbean. There is also a surprise in the finale as on the occasion of the final “Skull and Bones” bassist Jacob of Elvenking plays with them, in this case holding a violin.

set list:
voices (intro)
another story
shine on
time Traveler
rolling down to old maui
Warning
long john silver
the black spot
Monte Cristo
skull and Bones

elven king
We finally arrive in elven land with the Elvenking. As anticipated in the introduction, the evening is dedicated to their latest release, “Reader of the Runners – Rapture”, which is a truly remarkable album, so much so that we wouldn’t mind if it were performed in its entirety. It doesn’t happen. However, the Friulian band has a much larger discography and prefers to perform only a few songs, along with other songs taken from previous full-lengths.
From the new album, compared to the Fontanafreda evenings, “Rapture”, “The Hanging Tree” and “Bride of the Night” are retained, all greeted with great enthusiasm by the public, which is a “pagan revolution”. “As compared to the classics. , “The Divided Heart” and “Elevenlegions”; On the other hand, two other songs are proposed for the first time, namely “The Repentant” (which is the closing track of the album) and “Heardchant”: in any case, they are all songs that are instantly mesmerizing and therefore enhance These live versions have all their passion and power. In fact, we’re a little surprised by the decision to devote ample space to songs culled from “Secrets of the Magic Grimoire” and “The Pagan Manifesto,” to the detriment of the newer ones, while including only “Silverseal” among the encores.
It should be noted, however, the presence in the lineup of some tracks not performed very often, namely “Straight Inside Your Winter”, “The Dweller of Rhymes” and “3 Ways to Magic”, which of course also appear live. perform well. version. The performance of the whole band was excellent, with the decidedly rediscovered Simon on drums and new guitarist Hedmatt, who immediately integrated very well with the veteran Ayden. Vocalist Damana is also excellent, although we notice how, compared to other dates in which we’ve seen the band live, he doesn’t spend much time talking to the public (though he’s not one to shy away from doing that anyway, admit he is less talkative than usual), prefers to maintain a certain rhythm and continuity between one piece and another, but the curtain is inevitable with the violinist Léthien, who was celebrating his birthday today and so it was perfect Best wishes from all that they have received their dues.
Once again, Elvenking has been able to evoke legend with a beautiful concert in which he played new pieces, but where he once again prepared to offer some surprises with skillful care from his repertoire. Have done Really an applause worthy show.

set list:
Excitement
hanging tree
dragon’s vortex
pagan revolution
3 ways to do magic
penitent
straight inside your winter
Moonbeam Stone Circle
bride of the night
that we will follow
resident of rhims
Shepherd
split heart
Elvenlegions
Repeat:
silver seal
the winter wake