It was one of those nights that explored the clashing of the short sword and axe, the bashing of a drunken sodden pirate and a rebellious barbarian wildling. Not what you would exactly call the clash of the titans, yet I believe that Progstage Productions' second edition of the Folk Fest, aided enough to the conception that Tel Aviv was leveled on several points due to the intensity that went on within the hall of Reading 3.

Unequal to any kind of brutality caused by sheer extremity of course, but with desirable chants and praises to the sins of society that make Metal music so great. If you haven't got it, it is mainly booze, killing, pillaging, and hard on sex. ALESTORM, consisting of British members from Scotland, Northern Ireland and England, and HEIDEVOLK, of the The Netherlands, two bands signed to the Austrian label, Napalm Records, were up for the challenge to swarm the Israeli audience, to sign the horns, drink till drop and generally lose their mind to the sounds of Folk Metal mastery.

So, my fellow comrade, Alexandra, and I paved our way into the heart of the beast swarming with the likes of pirate and Viking customs, ready for the final settings of the stage before the main support act to arise. I have to admit that it was a pretty sight, more of a custom party rather than you ordinary Metal show, yet who actually thought that it was going to be ordinary?

First to confront the Israeli mass audience attending were the Dutch horde of HEIDEVOLK. Frankly, earlier down the road Metal Temple covered their releases, yet I have never really set my ears on the band's music as I should have. Gladly, this here show strongly convinced me that I should as such. Right before the Dutchmen hit the stage one by one, I had my doubts, though those faltered as I was gradually surprised of the audiences reaction to what was presented before them.
 

Charmingly opening in a rather traditional Folk Metal fashion with acoustic guitaring and flute recording, the HEIDEVOLK six piece clan arrived to the sound of cheers from their spectators, it was a marvelous sight. "Nehalennia" pierced the air, a flamboyant battle hymn, no less than IRON MAIDEN inspired with its riffs and rhythm, inflicted by violin samples throughout its stretch. Right from its opening roar, this number had the audience quite excited. For a band that hasn't yet to become an icon, it was greeted as such. Tremendous energies so uplifting rammed through the next tune, "Opstand Der Bataven", commemorating the resistance to the conquering Roman Empire. I couldn't understand a single word but it was easy to feel the passionate heat of battle and chants of valor preached by the due vocalists, Mark Splintervuyscht and Lars Vogel, which proved time and time again throughout the set that they complete each other in several ways though at times hitting equal notes, including clean and growl vocals. Damn, what a fine vocal synergy it was. The chorus resembled a bar type of song, letting the others join in for a sing along, catchy enough to spike those that can distinguish the language. Musically, I was treated with a glorified Heavy Metal inducement with several shards of extremity for slight intensification. "Ostara" hooked the audience into a jumpy mood, led by the call of Splintervuyscht and bass player, Rowan Roodbaert, for everyone to get loosen. Quite a Folk Metal revelry went on right there. Though I haven't heard any intricate or classic kind of soloing in the vein of Traditional Metal, one of the guitarists, Reamon Bomenbreker, played a decent enough lead to welcome the coming blast beat hurricane that filled the air, a blackened feel but with such a victorious affirmation due to the fast paced riffery. Coming on hot, with what I thought to be one of their known songs, "Sakenland", HEIDEVOLK clashed swords again with British Metal magic, introducing an incredible storyteller chanting. Anyone for a tale? Gradually, the mood shift became apparent, turning it into a sheer war song with vigor and Black Metal beats and riffs with clean vocals. It was bloody high rate. At that point I first noticed how the guys on stage were enjoying themselves, inhaling all the admiration from the audience watching and cheering.
 

"Wapenbroeders", from what I conjured it was dedicated to the soundmen and probably to the roadies as well, translated to Weapon Brothers I presume, exemplified the prolific stage show of the Dutch horde. Again I wished for that bit of English to let myself sing, yet even with scarce knowledge of what were they addressing about, the people around went on with the sing along, possibly understand nothing of what it was all about. As if abruptly the song ended, too soon from my end, but it wasn't in vain as Roodbaert demanded more energy from the audience for the next uplifting feature, "Een Nieuw Begin", similar to a march of a legion vast in numbers, slowly pacing its way. I never expected such ferocity but it was called for. Though lacking melodies, the rhythm section and riffs were able to make a difference. "De Toekomst Lonkt" introduced a Speed Metal sense, a bursting war cry for the warriors to assemble, letting another drop of the British infestation within the band's music, battle Metal heresy right into one's face. The audience went berserk on this one. "Het Wilde Heer" was devoted to a Winter, which we never really had here at least this year, but it felt warm and bolstered with immense power of the rhythms, a shot of yet another Heavy Metal hymn. The crowd was captivated by the thundering with conviction drum roll along with the melodic guitars right through the finish line. "Einde Der Zegen" exploded with ounces of the MAIDEN influence, retaining the Folk heritage from the first tunes. This number actually resembled something from earlier on, but with a much stronger Traditional Metal presence to be later evolved into extreme Metal profanity. It was one of the best songs on the set. "Gelders Volkslied" proved to me how honorable and professional the HEIDEVOLK crew is, pledging the song to the ALESTORM for their first time performing side by side. It was a sign of true comrades in the arms of Metal, a salutation for the headbangers that roared throughout the riffs. "Beest Bij Nacht", translated as Beasts At Night, turned the hit up again for another craze, a straightforward bullet train, crying for another pillage, a Power Metal swagger inflicting pain, slowing down for the lead guitar delivery of an adequate melody. After a short encore, the march of the horde ended with "Vulgaris Magistralis", a forthright sharp edged axe, commanding a barbarian attack, led with tasty riffs. No doubt a way to end this chapter.
 

Setlist:
1. Nehalennia
2. Opstand Der Bataven
3. Ostara
4. Sakenland
5. Wapenbroeders
6. Een Nieuw Begin
7. De Toekomst Lonkt
8. Het Wilde Heer
9. Einde Der Zegen
10. Gelders Volkslied
11. Beest Bij Nacht
12. Vulgaris Magistralis

It didn't take much time till the crazy British lads took the stage by storm and confidence. Two years ago I had the pleasure, and great opportunity, upon reviewing their later cracker, "Back Through Time", nothing short but an excellent and versatile Metal album worthy of anyone's interest. However, with ALESTORM it is either you get into the groove of their flavor or condemn yourself you remain outside due to stubbornness and miss all the fun. Essentially, ALESTORM, beneath the piracy in their eyes along with the eye liners and makeup, has been creating music, even in their darkest epics, that entice the spirit, spreading a sense of wicked happiness and anti-sobriety in the name of enjoyment.
 

I believe that Reading 3 was ready for its arse to be kicked, and hard to the bone. No Jollyroger or Blackbeard could have stopped the manic entrance of the band with "The Quest", a true speedster with vibrant accordion effect infestation by the keyboards. If pure insanity was in order, it was right there in tons. The wacky lead vocalist, Christopher Bowes, a true arse kicker, inflamed with creative soloing on his sitar, adding enough juice to the madness before him, also contributing to the entire atmospheric feel of the band's music soaked with an aura of booze. Not letting go of the reigns for a second, "The Sunk'n Norwegian" chop was dropped and started swarming. Bloody hell, where was a Jack Sparrow when I needed one? ALESTORM championed this astounding catchy song with fine showmanship, and it seemed quite clear that Bowes was having his share of fun. At the period, Dani Evans, the guitar player, appeared a bit static, wearing sun glasses showing off like a Rockstar, yet in his place. A little while later, he became a bit more energetic. Alcohol, intense sex and slaying sea monsters erupted with the emergence of "Leviathan", one of the set's strongest numbers. That was a Heavy Metal thunder right there, pain and pleasure, not too melodic with its riffs, but the keyboards were there for a reason. Generally, a terrific delivery of the goods, especially after the outburst of a beer can right in front of Bowes right as the headbanging started. Is anything but Metal or what? How about a human row boat forming in the audience rowing to nowhere to the beat of the drums? Freakin' hilarious. However, what troubled me a tad bit, later rather more, was the fact that Evans's guitar sound was barely felt, lacking the power to ignite the band's songs even further. On the other hand, strong in the mix were Gareth Murdock's bass, Elliot Vernon's keyboards and the sitar of Bowes, which appeared to have much stronger stance. The strong hitter, "Shipwrecked", splashing in, channeling the band's natured vibe, a true barroom drinker carried by a kind of Metal wizardry, nothing of a technical display of any sort, but straight to the face speed with a whole lot of vigor. "Over The Seas" continued the barrage of high seas piracy, not your usual beach comfort song but close enough to rip your skull. Evans showing great riffs with a better stance on stage, Vernon taking a gulp from his beer while playing with his other hand, that was a pretty sight. Frankly, this song wasn't that different from the former, yet it was a much better live spectacle. "Midget Saw", rallying up against midgets this time, ALESTORM appeared creepy for a moment there, but it was all for the thrill of it. It was yet another drinking song, humorous with fine intentions, loosened and breaking. Evans was back again to being less dominant with his guitar sound, a factor that slightly ruined the ongoing shindig. At least his semi shredding right before the blow solo was noticeable and made to perfection. "Nancy The Tavern Wench" lowered the tempo of the fast pace sailing, revealing an army of hands in the air with loud cheers. It was time to raise the glasses and the tankards of ale, but where were they? Those were needed as two more human row boats emerged to the sound of the wench song. I believe that it was the truest Folk Metal hymn of the set till that particular time, Bowes commanding with his crooked evilly sounded voice played some nice tunes on the sitar, letting off emotive moments, spreading a chorus that was no less than a crowd pleaser dragging a great sing along with it. Rolling on to the next, an obvious follower that was bound by steel and lunacy, a well picked "Pirate Song", Bowes' kind of Scottish accent was called for. It was a slow tempo cruncher, marry accordion effect driven, could have been a fine sing along, especially to that capacity crowd as it did grinded clapping all around. Also it was the first time to see a solo exchange between the guitar, sitar and keyboards, amazingly impressive performance.
 

"Wenches And Mead" crossed in chanting with about the wonders of drunkenness and the foul exploration of the female body, and yes plenty of beer. Like being thrown into a moshpit, this was erupted like a steaming volcano with senseless blast beats, thrashing the place apart. "Back Through Time", my number one out of the entire setlist I'd tell you that, expressed the hatred towards Vikings, especially when there were ones that wore the Viking horns in the audience, punched another axe into the skull, a kind of storming with menace, a moshpit invitation with no mail, marching rapidly through the madness all over Reading 3, as it was screaming its guts out to the sound of the Heavy Metal riffs and blasting drums. With the band's epic from the "Back Through Time" album, "Death Throes Of The Terrorsquid", the slaughter continued, unlike any kind of epic, with Speed Metal onslaught that slowly sunk into a sing along mode, dragging the front rows with it into an amazing victorious clout. There was that tad RUNNING WILD flakes over it, but as the story began engulfing, ALESTORM's signature was felt, following an extremer fashion, along with the backing vocals and the crowd's sing along that did the trick. Back from the bottom of the sea, it was time to party hard and have some fun, and "Keelhauled" and "Rumpelkombo" were called in. The former led by keyboards, became a Thrashed up fest, slashing with speedy riffery prolonging the obviousness of the bar song elements to kick in. It was kind of expected, but certainly not bad as the delivery and presence were tight. Letting the encore slide really fast, as previously by HEIDEVOLK, it was no time to rest, but to conquer! ALESTORM came back scoring more land with "Set Sail And Conquer", a hymn of pure pirate victory, intense booze flamer with an amazing chorus that led the charge on the unlimited energized audience that was still brawling to be heard loudly. Again the guitar was nearly nonexistent, too bad for that. "Wolves Of The Sea" invited the short drum soloing of Peter Alcorn, which appeared to be playing the intro to "Painkiller" but slowly met the hands of Vernon back on the keyboards for a few duel games. Slowly the frantic pack returned for the crusher. After the presentation of the band members to the audience, ALESTORM fired their last barrage with "Captain Morgan's Revenge", which was a deathly dance throughout the brains and then straight to a half of some of "Rum" to send this ship down the drain. An explosive ending for an amazing show.
 

Setlist:
1. The Quest
2. The Sunk'n Norwegian
3. Leviathan
4. Shipwrecked
5. Over The Seas
6. Midget Saw
7. Nancy The Tavern Wench
8. Pirate Song
9. Wenches And Mead
10. Back Through Time
11. Death Throes Of The Terrorsquid
12. Keelhauled
13. Rumpelkombo
14. Set Sail And Conquer
15. Wolves Of The Sea
16. Captain Morgan's Revenge
17. Rum

When I first heard about this event, I knew that it would drag folks in due to the higher impact of Folk Metal, especially nowadays. I was glad to witness that two bands, both for the first time in Israel, which hasn't been considered as the big starlets of the worldwide Metal scene just yet, were able to sweep off the Reading 3 attendees. It was glorious. Throughout the shows, especially in the ALESTORM show, there were several sound troubles, however, not too much to interfere with mania and fun that went both on stage and the crowd space.

I wish to thank Patrick Losinsky, Dorin Mandelbaum and Progstage Productions for yet another warm hospitality and the cooperation with Metal Temple for covering another well-made production. Furthermore, I wish to thank my partner in crime and a Metal Temple staff member, Alexandra Zeevy, for making the best effort to come up with the best photo shots for this live report. Now all that is left is to wait for the next wooden legged and one eyed pirate to come screaming in my ear all over again.