A happy smile was on the face of TYR-frontman Heri Joensen when he entered Hamburger Markthalle with his bandcolleagues. What euphoric welcome for their set, horns and loud TYR, TYR chants. Until October TYR toured with Apokalyptische Reiter in Germany which made them obviously more popular. The band from Faroer islands heated up the crowd in the almost full Markthalle. With their third song, a „The Wild Rover“ Coverversion, everybody moved, the party was perfect. With „Hail To The Hammer“ some members from other bands came on stage. The Wintersun guys had cut holes in their T-Shirts geschnitten ahdshowed their nipples. A plush sheep with TYR-logo was carried on a fishing rod across stage, and Amon Amarth´s Johann Hegg growled the chorus. After this show piece Markthalle felt like Sauna. Heri, Terji and Kari were clever to present their songs half-naked, yet I wonder how Gunnar survived the gig wearing T-Shirt and chainmail ...
Wintersun
When Wintersun entered stage, the audience looked already like being in Sauna, with their sweaty clothes... yet still they had a party with Wintersun. The people in the moshpit were so energetic, not only pushing themselves but also the people around them like domino pieces, so that you were more closely introduced to your sweating neighbour. Fronter Jari Mäenpää and his guys posed without their cut shirts and played their stuff like old pros. Jari, Jukka and Teemu often raised their instruments, a well-done but not too spectacular gig.
Amon Amarth
In the meantime Markthalle felt like tropical area even before the headliner started. A lot of mist, and the Swedes entered stage, welcomed by horns and growls. Amon Amarth didn´t hesitate to kick off with the „Valhalla Awaits Me“ Intro. Johann Hegg´s deep bass voice took the audience to another era, just like having Odin in person on stage; and he seemed to enjoy his impact on the audience, seeking contact all the time. „We and you are sons of Odin“ he announced, and Hegg animated the fans to blow their horns. Amon Amarth delighted the crowd with „Death In Fire“, „With Oden On Our Side“ and „Runes To My Memory“.
The Swedes played a selection of their last three albums, all hit material. So no wonder that the crowd´s transpiration dripped from the ceiling and the walls. Despite unbearable heat the enthusiasm continued, Johann Hegg & Co. didn´t mind stagedivers. The moshpit continued and also the headbanging (which sometimes brought a relieving breeze of air), armes were raised, fans growled until their voices failed. Hard to believe nobody needed the ambulance. After „Victorious March“ the magic Viking kingdom came to an end, reality bites and leaves nice memories of a great concert.
