This past Monday night I made my way to the Oriental Theater excited that I was approved to cover this show.
Opening the show this evening was a local Denver band called Skoldvagg with their Folk/Power Metal sound that fit right into this night's sound. The band came out waving at the crowd encouraging them to yell and holler which energized the crowd and set the tone for the night to come. Though a short set, they poured out their music from their ep, Maiden Voyage and the crowd showed their appreciation for a fun set of music.
Sköldvägg are:
Kevin Merz - Drums
Adam Andrepont - Guitars
Elle Ray - Violin
Matthew Siefker - Vocals
A short turnover and the stage was set for the Swedish power metalers Twilight Force. One by one each member came on stage, jumped up on riser egging the now cheering crowd for more. Dressed in outfits from medieval times they started their set with, “Dawn of the Dragonstar” from their 2019 album of the same name. The energy flowed from the stage and the crowd returned the same.
Their interaction with each other and the crowd only took the energy level higher. The powerful voice of Alessandro Conti (Allyon) rang out through the venue with songs, “Dragonborn”, “Flight of the Sapphire Dragon” and “At the Heart of Wintervale”. This was my first time seeing Twilight Force and I can’t wait to see them again. Their costumes, stage presence and their energy they pour into their music is something to experience live. See them!
Twilight are:
Philip Lindh (Lynd) – lead guitar, backing vocals, acoustic guitar, lute
Daniel Beckman (Blackwald) – keyboards, backing vocals, piano, violin, cembalo
Dunder Björn Lundqvist (Born) – bass, backing vocals
Jocke Leandro Johansson (Aerendir) – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Alessandro Conti (Allyon) – lead vocals
Isak Olsson (De'Azsh) – drums, percussion
Setlist:
Dawn of the Dragonstar
Twilight Force
Dragonborn
Thundersword
Flight of the Sapphire Dragon
Sunlight Knight
Again a quick turnover and the crowd was fired up from the previous bands. The lights flickered and the crowd let out cheer followed by, Hoots,Hoots, Hoots and a tape started. As the tape finished Gloryhammer entered the stage one by one and the crowd was chanting even louder, Hoots, Hoots. Gloryhammer started the night off with, “Holy Flaming Hammer of Unholy Cosmic Frost” from their 2023 album, Return to the Kingdom of Fife. Their on stage presence was Immense! Then Sozos Michael (Angus McFife) announced in a loud and enthusiastic voice, we will now take you to, “The Land of Unicorns”. The venue rocked from the roar and cheering from their fans and the crowd sang along with the song as they would with others throughout the night.
A strange creature came out carrying a large hammer and he and Angus wrestled with it and took the hammer away, chasing the creature off the stage. Turning to the crowd, he raised the hammer to the cheers of everyone. As Gloryhammer moved through their set of music with, “Wasteland Warrior Hoots Patrol”, “Sword Lord of the Goblin Horde” the crowd sang with them and cheered with Hoots. The energy in the venue was something to feel and watching the crowd reacting to the music was energizing in itself.
Gloryhammer finished their amazing set with “Hootsforce” and “The Unicorn Invasion of Dundee”. Gloryhammer said goodnight to the cheers and hoots from their fans.
This was my first time seeing Gloryhammer and I am very grateful for having the opportunity to cover their show. Can’t wait to do it again.
Gloryhammer are:
Christopher Bowes (Zargothrax) – keyboards, backing vocals
Ben Turk (Ralathor) – drums
Paul Templing (Ser Proletius) – guitars, backing vocals
James Cartwright (The Hootsman) – bass, backing vocals
Michael Barber (Zargothrax) – keyboards
Sozos Michael (Angus McFife) – lead vocals
Setlist:
Delilah @Tape @Cover
Incoming Transmission @Tape
Holy Flaming Hammer of Unholy Cosmic Frost
Gloryhammer
The Land of Unicorns
Fly Away
Angus McFife
Questlords of Inverness, Ride to the Galactic Fortress!
Also Sprach Zarathustra @Tape @Cover
Wasteland Warrior Hoots Patrol
Fife Eternal
Masters of the Galaxy
Sword Lord of the Goblin Horde
The Siege of Dunkeld (In Hoots We Trust)
Keeper of the Celestial Flame of Abernethy
Universe on Fire
Hootsforce
The Unicorn Invasion of Dundee
