It seems that slowly the metal is returning to het Paard. Our local venue which before the rebuilding often brought us metal but teh last few decades it's been poor on teh metal front. So in order to show my appreciation of this change I coud not let this evening of black and folk metal pass by. Now these two are not typically my favourite styles of metal, but last year I was blown away by teh Sgaile album and Saor sounded different, but not miles away either. The first two bands are Swiss and unknown to me until yesterday. Staying in The Hague, meant enough familiar faces around and the small hall filled up with closed balcony.
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Morgarten opened the evening with some male choir singing. The band was dressed medieval and they called us warriors. Folky battle metal where Manowar is honoured at times too. I can have this kind of music in a live setting, but the humpah factor made stay away from their albums as at home it is not for me really. Towards the end a wall of death was expected, but the open space was filled with dancing people, not fighting warriors. They went down pretty well with those more in the know in this scene.
Next band Can Barrd are also Swiss, but they upped the metal factor. The heaviest band of the night and thus the favourite to some. I also liked them more as you could bang along at parts. When they went for three singing voices it sounded a bit too masssive compared with the lead vocalist solo, but overall this set went down ok. Maybe a bit more variation would work better for me, but when a female with flute appeared I thought not that much variation please. A good band and this folky black does create a party easily.
Headlineres were Saor and they could proof if that was deserved. Well that soon became clear to me. Their playing did raise the bar. From a heavy opener to many folky interludes this sounded different, fresh and good to me. It turned out they played their new album Amidst the Ruins in full. Glad I picked it up after their show as it sounds nice at home too I now hear. The set had a permanent participation of the lady with flutes, electric bagpipes and backing or lead vocals. This mix worked very well for me and Saor did what I hoped for, give me something new and refreshing while staying metal enough throughout. Amidts the Ruins is their sixth album in twelve years. So I am late at the Scottish party, but I will keep an eye on Saor returns to the low lands. Always great to see leaving your comfort zone paying off with a very nice show.
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