At The Gramercy Theatre in New York City on April 9th, 2024
Finnish folk metal superstars Korpiklaani following an extensive UK tour with Alestorm and Heidevolk in February and March embarked on a North American tour with Visions Of Atlantis and Illumishade. After a proper kickoff in Reading, PA bands came to shine within the bright lights of New York City.
Written by Andris Jansons
First up came a Swiss rock and metal band Illumishade. The band was founded in 2019 by Eluveitie band members Fabienne Erni and Jonas Wolf makes cinematic and fantasy music, combined with rock and metal. Their set consisted of eight songs, with most coming from their latest release Another Side Of You. As I witnessed Eluveitie performance last year, I must say that Fabienne Erni is an excellent vocalist in any subgenre she wants to be, from folk to metal her voice is amazing.
Photo Gallery of Illumishade performance here.
Illumishade links
Austrian band Visions Of Atlantis is led by another bombshell vocalist from France Clémentine Delauney. The band has gone through a multitude of lineup changes with only one of their founding members left on the band – drummer Thomas Caser. Current members gel together seamlessly and the band’s music and performance is wonderful. Band has engaged in pirate style. All members are dressed in pirate attire during their live performances. Band has released eight studio albums with the last one in 2022 called, you guessed it, Pirates. The new one, you guessed it – Pirates II – Armada set to be released on July 5th. As Symphonic metal band Visions Of Atlantis rely heavily on catchy rhythms and melodic female voice. They played a set of ten songs with most coming from the 2022 release and two from the upcoming album, so this was a real pirate set.
Photo Gallery of Visions Of Atlantis performance here.
Visions Of Atlantis links
https://www.visionsofatlantis.at
Korpiklaani chose an interesting stage decor for a Finnish band, filled with palm trees and exotic plants. I would have more expected evergreens and ferns. But hey, when they hit the stage it quickly became evident that you are here not just to listen to Finnish folk motives, but to party !!! Though, Korpiklaani is not the only folk metal band that I have witnessed, and from all my experiences I must say that it is a common motive for many folk metal bands to embrace this party like music and atmosphere.
Visually the band’s vocalist Jonne Järvelä looked more like a voodoo magician from New Orleans, with his hat, leather outfit and dreadlocks. His enthusiastic singing and dancing was infectious that many in the attendance became fluent in Finnish and sang along to the songs. The other band members include Kalle “Cane” Savijärvi on guitar, Jarkko Aaltonen on bass,Sami Perttula on accordion, Samuli Mikkonen on drums and Olli Vänskä on violin.
Korpiklaani just released on April 5th their twelfth studio album Rankarumpu and are touring in its support. All together they played six songs from the latest release and the whole set consisted of over twenty songs.
Photo Gallery of Korpiklaani performance here.
Korpiklaani links
Stream and purchase Rankarumpu here.
The tour will continue through May 5th and end in Baltimore, MD. I wonder if it will be a double party – Finnish folk party and Cinco De Mayo. You can still get your tickets here.
List of the dates below.
13.04. CA Toronto – Phoenix Concert Theatre
14.04. US Pontiac – The Crofoot
15.04. US Milwaukee – Turner Hall
17.04. US Minneapolis – Vivarium
18.04. CA Winnipeg – Park Theatre
19.04. CA Regina – The Exchange
20.04. CA Edmonton – Starlite Room
21.04. CA Calgary – Dickens
23.04. CA Vancouver – Rickshaw Theatre
24.04. US Seattle – El Corazon
25.04. US Portland – BossaNova Ballroom
26.04. US San Francisco – DNA Lounge
27.04. US Los Angeles – 1720
28.04. US San Diego – Brick By Brick
29.04. US Phoenix – The Nile
01.05. US Denver – Gothic Theatre
02.05. US Lincoln – The Bourbon Theater
03.05. US Joliet – The Forge
04.05. US Pittsburgh – Mr Smalls Theatre
05.05. US Baltimore – Baltimore Soundstage
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