Blending the best elements of Bal Sagoth, Ensiferum and Finntroll with a touch of added madness, the 'Battle Metal' moniker of Turisas' debut full length more than befits the merry band of Finns onstage at the Underworld this evening. While the turnout is disappointing, the sheer enthusiasm of the crowd fills the air of the cramped venue such, that it may as well be heaving.
Openers Centurion's Ghost execute the task of warming up the crowd with a denim and leather themed flair and their Orange Goblin on steroids stoner doom proves a hit with much of the crowd. A full half hour of solid material, including some mouth watering lead guitar work shows that these boys are certainly one to watch.
It isn't long before the lights dim once more and the familiar intro of 'Victoriae & Triumphi Dominus' begins to filter through the PA. As six loincloth and fur clad warriors, complete with warpaint take to the stage and launch into 'As Torches Rise' it's smiles all round and best of all, it only gets better! Halfway through the opening track, much to the delight of the crowd, a violinist and accordion player take to the stage to add an extra dimension to the music and an added layer of quirkiness to an already hugely enjoyable stage presence.
These extra musicians are not simply relegated to a backseat role, far from it, as for a number of interludes centre stage alternates between Warlord Nygård and the two less customary players. Blasting out each track as if it were their last ever encore, the band bring a level of energy to the Underworld stage normally only seen in larger venues. The crowd is certainly familiar with the material also, as shown during nutty sing-along 'One More'.
Unlike many of their 'epic' counterparts, Turisas manage to recreate the sound of their debut perfectly on stage, coming together as tightly as an army heading into battle. The addition of the crowd's chants during such cuts as 'The Land Of Hope & Glory' even add an exciting extra dimension to the songs in the live setting.
After a high octane start to the set, the band move towards the back of the stage to allow violinist Olli Vänskä to inform us of his love for 'musical masturbation'. It gets him off apparently. He then promptly proceeds to rip out a violin solo that would have Vai and Malmsteem weeping on each others shoulders.
The battle rages on into 'Sahti-Waari', preceded by a brief violin/accordion instrumental which sends the crowd into a moment of jigging madness. It's then time for those assembled to use their lungs again as chants of 'Battle Metal' ring through the air for the chorus of the debut album's title track. At this point, the band leave the stage, it's not over just yet though, as they return to offer a delightful drinking tune in the shape of 'There's Weed and Alcohol in my Homeland' before concluding the set with 'Among Ancestors'.
With no material left to play, it's somewhat of a surprise when the band returns to the stage for a second time to a rapturous response. 'Why the f*** can't we drink in peace!' snarls Nygård before uttering perhaps the oddest line of the evening, 'who here is a fan of disco?' There appear to be a handful of fans in the crowd, or so they claim, however even they must have been taken aback when Turisas launch head first into a cover of Boney M's 'Rasputin', an utterly bizarre choice and one which would make a mockery of most other bands. It suits the Finns perfectly however and in fact proves to be a moment of pure genius, even sounding as if it could be taken straight from their back catalogue. At this stage, there surely isn't anything left for the band to play, however they delve back to the 'Heart of Turisas' demo for set closer 'Till the Last Man Falls'.
There doesn't appear to be a single face present that isn't emblazoned with a smile at the end of Turisas' 60 minute set, this has surely been the most fun available in London on a Sunday night. The battle has been won!
Setlist:
Victoriae and Triumphi Dominus
As Torches Rise
The Messenger
One More
The Land Of Hope and Glory
Violin Solo
Rex Regi Rebellis
Um-Pah Instrumental
Sahti-Waari
Battle Metal
There's Weed and Alcohol In My Homeland
Among Ancestors
Rasputin - Boney M cover
Till The Last Man Falls
Overall Score: 9 /10
