Report
Solstafir and Hexvessel Mesmerize Nosturi in Helsinki, Finland
posted Apr 21 2012 at 5:43 PM by WandererOfKalevala.
These days I’m beginning to think that I live at Nosturi. There’s always familiar faces working, and in the photo pit as well which makes for a rather comfortable aspect to an otherwise extremely exciting and unique event.
Icelandic heathen metallers Solstafir embarked on a journey through Finland last week which started in Helsinki on Thursday. I've been waiting a few years to finally see these guys live, and it was with bated breath that I arrived at the venue on a rainy Helsinki day. The tone for the evening was not the usual drunken folk metal vibe, though I appreciate that on occasion as well! All in all, the event in store was a thought provoking and contemplative one.
First band up for the night was Hexvessel, a self proclaimed “Psychedelic Folk” band out of Tampere, Finland. They were actually formed by an Englishmen, who apparently now resides in Finland and is creating this interesting cultural fusion. One can really hear the English folk influences in these ballad like melodies that seem to predominantly have a focus that consistently revolves around nature. I have to say, this was not my style of music, but I have immense appreciation for the creativity displayed by the band.
One aspect of the instrumentation that really stand out for me was the violin. As a violinist myself, I have to say I am incredibly fed up with violinists all over making the swap to electric over amplified acoustic. We are meant to be raging and lovely; melodic and captivating, and above all in my opinion: organic. In other words, not a replacement for guitars or solos. The violinist playing for Hexvessel this evening added a lovely ambience to the set, providing lovely lilting lines that melded well with the somewhat Tool like vocals of singer Mat McNerney. The set as a whole was somewhat trance inducing, and altogether interesting.
"The Jungle has come loose, is changing purposes."
