LIVE REVIEW: Heilung @ Barrowlands, Glasgow
The Barrowlands was a space that would bring a tribe together and reach down to your inner being. Somewhat to a family affair. Stimuli ranging from birdsong and projected imagery to the hubbub of anticipated voices filled up the iconic venue to the brim with eager spectators about to witness three separate rituals from HEILUNG, EIVØR and LILI REFRAIN on a bitter Sunday evening.
Starting off with the evening, LILI REFRAIN stood strong with a stimulating presence in attire and warpaint while looping sounds from different implements to create very evocative and chilling sequences. Hailing from Italy, combining the tribal culling sounds and dense sounds from the guitar gave more spine tingling emphasis. With a lot of appreciation for the solo artist and the crowd already got clapping to the circuit of unique echoes from the drums to the tinkling of the bell. While fully embracing the energy from the Glaswegian crowd, LILI REFRAIN expressed a final moment of inner power coming through from her dynamic shrills through the microphone that transcended a great start to the evening.
Rating: 8/10
As EIVØR led the charge with the weapon that is her Viking war drum (vegvisir), the blend of heaviness through Salt initiated the grand mix of rock and folk from the Faroe Islands. The next song Lívstræðrir gave a fixation with the calm and for those who would be familiar with The Last Kingdom television series, it brought it to the widest setting with such ease. The recognisable Í Tokuni gave high appreciation with a more heavier approach with the lighter notes. Another noticeable occasion from the track The Last Kingdom was another opportunity to appreciate the ancient trills and the dramatic atmosphere. Gullspunnin brought Eivør Pálsdóttir with her trusted hand drum along with the thrilling harmonies and the finale in Trollabundin brought on another high of enthralling calls from The North marking a set that was enjoyed by all.
Rating: 8/10
The spirits were about to break through the cracks for HEILUNG as the opening ceremony took place. Each performer were about to play a vital role for the songs of the night and every moment was about to be charged with a primal energy that was unparalleled. Bringing the hypnotic calls of In Maidjan, which weaved the warriors together to create the theatrically chilling Alfadhirhaiti as each note boomed. What was mesmerising throughout the premonition was the Old Norse song leaders Maria Franz and Kai Uwe Faust. Their duality of their visual presence and vocal range was not only soothing, but shows an exceptional dynamic to their storytelling. This gave the troop being lead by Maria Franz with Asja and the use of traditional instruments with the magnetising Krigsgaldr one can almost imagine walking through nature. The spiritual experience with the warriors cry was in full unison for Hakkerskaldyr and Svanrand guided another dynamic that no one present was any different. The recognisable Norupo saw the crowd physically close their eyes and some was nearly close to tears and with primal wails hit the ceiling and the synchronised floor stamps led the charge into Othan with grit and harmony.
Nearing to what spectators can call the finale as a spiritual awakening, Traust saw more symbolism given to the stage performers while hands were joined and newest oblation Anoana saw their leaders surrounded by the sun as if it was story time in their circle. Sounding like the spirits ran rampant as Galgaldr vibrated the walls and Elddansurin gave offerings to the pre-ultimate thrill to the set. If the viewers could describe their last offering, imagine RAMMSTEIN was HEILUNG‘s backing band – the Glaswegians were given the crushing Hamrer Hippyer. Throughout the set, it was a healing. It was a blessing with each arousing layer and the warriors joining the rabid audience made the moment like a tribal party. In silence and with hand joined, the tribe gave the last roar that brought catharsis and a everlasting cheer marking their closing ceremony and the final night of their UK tour.
Rating: 10/10
Check out our photo gallery of the night’s action in Glasgow from Sabrina Ramdoyal Photography here:
Like HEILUNG on Facebook.