Review & photos by Karina Diane
May 6th 2015, House Of Blues Sunset Strip, West Hollywood CA: Finnish warriors Ensiferum embarked on a North American tour with fellow Finnish band Korpiklaani and Norwegian group Trollfest to present to audiences across the continent an out-and-out folk metal lineup from start to finish. Los Angeles witnessed the first show of the tour, at the House Of Blues Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, and our photographer/writer Karina Diane was on-site to capture the action via some beautiful images and a brief recap. Check it out below.
Trollfest played a ten-song set to warm up the crowd, including their interpretation of Britney Spears’ ‘Toxic’, featuring a guest appearance on vocals by Eric Dow of Southern California pagan metal band Helsott, who have toured with Trollfest in the past.
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Set List:
01. Kaptein Kaos
02. Vulkan
03. Toxic (Britney Spears cover, w/ Eric Dow of Helsott)
04. Brumlebassen
05. Die Grosse Echsen
06. Konterbier
07. Ave Maria
08. Böse Tivoli
09. Solskinnsmedisin
10. Helvetes Hunden Garm
Korpiklaani were up next, presenting a good chunk of their latest Nuclear Blast full-length release ‘Noita’, the first to feature new accordion player Sami Perttula. The violin and accordion solos and duels were the highlights of their set.
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Set List:
01. Viinamäen Mies
02. Journey Man
03. Pilli On Pajusta Tehty
04. Lempo
05. Sahti
06. Ruumiinmultaa
07. Petoelaimen Kuola
08. Sumussa hämärän aamun
09. Vaarinpolkka
10. Viima
11. Metsämies
12. Kultanainen
13. Minä Näin Vedessä Neidon
14. Ämmänhauta
15. Kylästä Keväinen Kehto
16. Vodka
17. Rauta
18. Wooden Pints
Just like Korpiklaani, Ensiferum also focused on performing material off of their brand new album ‘One Man Army’, released via Metal Blade in February 2015. Former Turisas accordion player Netta Skog is now a member of Ensiferum and is featured on this new release. But as is invariably the case with any typical Ensiferum show, guitarist/vocalist Petri Lindroos and bassist Sami Hinkka stood out with the performances on their respective instruments, and having perfected the art of live folk metal musicianship, they were able to bust some dancing moves even while they played their parts.
For fans of folk metal in North America, attending a show on this tour is a no-brainer.
More photos:
Set List:
01. Axe of Judgement
02. Heathen Horde
03. Into Battle
04. Little Dreamer (Väinämöinen, Part II)
05. Warrior Without a War
06. Ahti
07. Smoking Ruins
08. Two of Spades
09. Unsung Heroes
10. Burning Leaves
11. One Man Army
12. Victory Song
Encore:
13. Breaking the Law (Judas Priest cover)
14. From Afar
15. Token of Time
16. Iron
Remaining Tour Dates:
5/15/2015 Summit Music Hall – Denver, CO
5/16/2015 Bourbon Theater – Lincoln, NE
5/17/2015 Mill City Nights – Minneapolis, MN
5/18/2015 Bottom Lounge – Chicago, IL
5/19/2015 Agora Theater – Cleveland, OH
5/20/2015 Opera House – Toronto, ON
5/21/2015 Mavericks – Ottawa, ON
5/22/2015 Club Soda – Montreal, QC
5/23/2015 Imperial de Quebec – Quebec City, QC
5/24/2015 Brighton Music Hall – Boston, MA
5/26/2015 Mr. Small’s Theater – Pittsburgh, PA
5/27/2015 Baltimore Soundstage – Baltimore, MD
5/28/2015 Theatre of Living Arts – Philadelphia, PA
5/29/2015 Irving Plaza – New York, NY