So, enough anthropology, let’s turn to the show.

The kick-off was provided by a Dutch thrash metal band Legion Of The Damned that delivered a steady and neatly played set. For me however, the music was nothing special since it all sounded way too familiar. While Legion Of The Damned was busy rehashing riffs of old thrash legends, I wetted my appetite with a beer or two and waited for the arrival of the Finnish swamp kings.

When Finntroll took the stage it was hard to resist a slight disappointment. Although I knew that they were going to present their new singer to the public, I somehow still expected it to be a huge hideous man in ragged clothes, and not the sly and skinny Vreth that came instead. No worries however as he seemed to be perfectly qualified when it comes to his vocal duties, but still… Anyway, the set of Finntroll was nice and the public clearly took a great pleasure in seeing the Finns soaring through a fitting selection of songs from all their albums, with the overtly anthemic ‘Trollhammaren’ as one of the many pinnacles. The sound could have been way better however – especially the keys and the more subtle guitar parts were completely drown in the abundance of drums and bass. This regrettably rendered the show far less memorable than the gig with Naglfar about a year ago. Presumably the whole installation was already preset for the needs of Sodom, since I can’t think of another valid reason a band with their experience would play without a proper sound check.