From the cold Alpine breeze and heavy snow, the 8 members of the ELUVEITIE came to the hot sunny with the yellow sand Israel, mostly for Humus and warm local weather and also, of course, to perform at the Reading 3 hall in Tel-Aviv, for the second time, the event took place in the 27th of February. I have to admit that I wasn't a big fan of ELUVEITIE, for couple main reasons, usually I dislike the fact that people are searching for something new in matters that are already evolved, such as Death Metal. We have Death Metal in all possible sub - genres, same with ancient authentic Folk music, which is existing for centuries with the same cultural elements.

The result of blending something old with something already chewed up, is usually a big cup of nothing interesting. As I was browsing through ELUVEITIE materials before the show, my expectations was blown away, I was expecting for another generic Folk Metal band, but I could not ignore couple of things that in my opinion make this band absolutely great.

The first one is the perfection, the music is high quality, well made Folk Metal with many kind of types of Metal, mostly with Death. Well, you could not expect less from Swiss-German perfectionism, it's just so well made and so pleasant to the ear, despite the fact that making so many of the same concept might form repeatable kind of feeling.

The second is, the magical elevating sensation through all their materials, old and new. Though, the rough Death Metal growling voice of Chrigel Glanzmann, the heavy guitar riffs by  Rafael Salzmann and Ivo Henzi will make it dark and heavy, but not at all, the diversity of authentic wind instruments, Bagpipes,Whistles ,Flutes also by Chrigel Glanzmann and  Pade Kistler through authentic string instruments such as Hurdy-gurdy played by the amazing Anna Murphy and violin played by the amazing  Nicole Ansperger that looks like a mystical beautiful fairy. And I saved the cherry on the top for the last, the amazing, soul penetrating, crystal clear voice of Anna Murphy. Now, (for those who haven't seen ELUVEITIE live yet), imagine all this on stage, did I talk about perfection? It is an accurate, splendid show.

The opening act was performed by the Israeli Heavy-Power Metal DESERT, though DESERT is a part of the local scene, these guys are on the international level. The show was a delicious appetizer and warmed up the crowd for the main course. DESERT surly know how to lift up the mood and rise the spirits, they were accompanied by a beautiful young and talented Infy Snow who has contributed to the atmosphere much more than expected.
 

I have to give a bid double thumbs up for choosing the Reading hall for the second time, the place capable to contain about 1500 people, was full and crowded like a can of sardines. As the lights were dimmed for ELUVEITIE to get on the stage, the crowd screamed loudly, between songs Chrigel greeted the crowd and expressed his sympathies to our little country, you can see how people love their music and performing it by the connection they make with the audience and the energy shown on the stage, and the connection was outstanding, the atmosphere was magical and the experience was unforgivable.
 

They've performed songs through the old material to the latest from the new album Origins, which is great and very recommended. Another amazing thing that surprised me at the show, is the fact that some of ELUVEITIE songs has a pop-like character, which is nothing wrong with, songs like "A Rose For Epona" and "The Call Of The Mountains" may remind you a bit from chorus to chorus bands like EVANESCENCE, despite the fact that some of these songs have mainstream tunes , but on stage, Anna Murphy and the whole ELUVEITIE crew can give bands like these a lesson on two on how to make real music and perform it perfectly.
 

Another thing that simply amazed me, the prove to a fantastic professionalism, is the fact that Israel was the last performance on their tour, and it didn't feel like it, their energy was on the top there was not even a drop of tiredness, check out their crazy tour list, these guys are performing monsters!
 

This kind of diversity in the set list was a treat for the crowd and the crowd cried for more even after the last song was done. But it surprised, me because even though, The show is an amazing experience preformed by professional musicians with high quality performing skills and the music itself is rich with Celtic Folk history, pleasant and energetic and the lyrics are also simply beautiful.
 

There was some drop points during the show that I have to mention, as I said before ELUVEITIE is a concept band, based on Metal and Celtic Folk, for not an old fan who doesn't know the songs like he's born with then, knowing each word and tune in a sleep, it's hard to maintain the full show with a full, long set list, because in some point it starts to feel so irritatingly repeatable. It's hard to criticize this fact because as I said earlier, the crowd was crazy till the last tune was played.

In general, ELUVEITIE is a band you should open your heart to, because in that moment they will put a smile on your face, after this experience I've become a big fan and I can't wait to see them again on stage in the future.

*Photography: Gilad Luria Givon