ELUVEITIE – Brisbane, Australia 17th May 2019
The last time Swiss folk metal legends Eluveitie performed on our shores, it was with a somewhat different line-up. Future changes resulted in the departure of three members including fan favourite, hurdy gurdy player and vocalist Anna Murphy, so it was going to be interesting to see how band visionary Chrigel would go with some new blood in the group.
Fortunately, tonight’s performance shows that the new additions to the band have done nothing to dim their reputation as one of the great live bands not just in folk metal, but in extreme metal overall.
It’s also a big night for local metal five-piece Devonian, performing their first big international support slot. Local metal watchers will already be well aware of Devonian’s rise in the local scene, with their single The Other Half attracting considerable interest. Their live show has also tightened right up and a strong sound mix enhances their melodic and powerful set.
The Other Half starts off the set with its mix of ferocity and softness, not to mention some awesome breakdowns in the mid-section. Frontwoman Diletta Luna delivers powerful vocals, veering between harsh and cleans with great skill. While there is some nervousness evident, it’s more than compensated for by the band’s catchy take on metal which takes in a wide mixture of styles and moods, ranging from thrashy and proggy to a serious power metal vibe at times. Closing song Collateral Damage even has a shamelessly anthemic ’80s-flavoured chorus. This band are trying out a few styles to see what fits, and it’s fun following their journey.
If I could describe Eluveitie’s set in one word, it would be “EPIC”. Playing a big two hour set, the folk metal combo’s last visit was some two albums ago, so there’s a great blend of old and new material awaiting us. Frontman Chrigel is in fine voice throughout, his harsh growl resembling a Celtic warrior commanding his troops. As well as a huge barrage of metal riffs and barreling drums, the music’s folk elements come courtesy of tin whistle, bagpipes, Celtic harp, hurdy gurdy, mandola and violin.
The diverse instrumentation produces a wide range of moods, with the heavier moments taking on a melodic extreme metal flavour which wouldn’t sound out of place on an In Flames or At The Gates record. On the other end of the spectrum, Celtic harpist and clean singer Fabienne Erni performs a near-acapella that resembles the mystical, ethereal vocals of Dead Can Dance’s Lisa Gerrard.
Neither the band or the audience flags in energy for the whole two hours and when they finish their encore with live favourite Inis Mona, your humble reviewer finds himself humming the tune well into the next day. This is a performance of large-scale folk metal that evokes wind-blown landscapes, ancient rituals and legends long consigned to myth and history. After having seen Eluveitie twice, I can reliably say that they are a live band you simply shouldn’t miss.
Reviewer: Matt Thrower
Photographer: Charlyn Cameron http://instagram.com/chuck_stuff
