{"id":23080,"date":"2024-09-25T07:55:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-25T05:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/orkus1.com\/that-was-the-case-with-heilung\/"},"modified":"2024-09-26T08:47:27","modified_gmt":"2024-09-26T06:47:27","slug":"that-was-the-case-with-heilung","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/orkus1.com\/en\/that-was-the-case-with-heilung\/","title":{"rendered":"That was the case with HEILUNG"},"content":{"rendered":"
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September 19, 2024, Cologne, Palladium<\/p>\n\n

Would you like to escape our stressful world for a while, do something good for yourself and slow down?\nThen you’ve come to the right place.\nBecause we were too when we visited Heilung<\/strong> ‘s current tour.\nWe were already aware that going to concerts can be balm for the soul.\nBut the rituals of Heilung<\/strong> take you into a wondrous parallel world. <\/p>\n\n

Refreshing start<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

On the way to the Palladium in Cologne, we noticed the not-so-typical music lovers.\nWe noticed all sorts of braided pigtails, fur headdresses, elaborately painted faces and small antlers or flower arrangements that had previously been draped on headbands.\nMany English-speaking fans mingled with the slightly excited audience.\nNo distracting music awaited us during the wait in the sold-out concert hall.\nInstead, the twittering of birds and the gentle babbling of a stream from the tape provided a pleasant atmosphere. <\/p>\n\n

Mythical Special Guest<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

We met Zeal & Ardor<\/strong> as the tour’s special guest supporting act.\nThe sextet recently released their brand new studio album “Greif”.\nInspired by an imaginative hybrid of bird and lion that parades through Basel (the hometown of singer Manuel Gagneux) in an annual ceremony, the newcomer presents itself as proud, majestic and versatile as the griffin itself.\nWhile the band was previously known for its ingenious mix of black metal and gospel elements, it now enriches its musical range with blues, electronic sounds, pure rock and even hardcore elements. <\/p>\n\n

Rapid rise<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

At 8 p.m. on the dot, the singers’ three microphone stands shone in the fog.\nThe band’s logo adorned a huge backdrop that was dotted with LEDs.\nThe opener “The Bird, the Lion and the Wildkin” kicked off the eventful evening.\nJust like at the parade in Basel, the opening was accompanied by enthusiastic drum rhythms.\nA mystical melody and melodious guitars were joined by the warm voice of Manuel Gagneux.\nWide hoods covered the faces of the five musicians, who were dressed in black and positioned next to each other in front of the drummer at the edge of the stage.\nAfter the quiet start, things got down to business.\nThe cloaks gave way and Zeal & Ardor belted out their “G\u00f6tterd\u00e4mmerung” with full force and beastly screams.\nOnly the crystal-clear chorus allowed us to get a grip on our own tense breathing again.\nWhile some fans had traveled especially for the Swiss and were visibly celebrating their band, the rest of the audience watched quietly but with interest. <\/p>\n\n

Deliver <\/strong>instead of talking<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Tuskegee” presented themselves with full heaviness but also contrasting guitar melodies.\nGrowls and sharp screams made their way through the packed hall.\nA young man with a fur cape and bone crown was inevitably carried away by the voluminous sounds.\nThe rest of the crowd suddenly joined in the clapping.\nIt was the ideal time for Manuel to greet the 4,000 visitors: “Have a good evening.\nWe’re Zeal & Ardor<\/strong> and we’re not very good at talking. That’s why we’re playing music now.” With the poetic song “To My Ilk”, Manuel created an ode to an oppressed people. With a deep sadness in his voice, the singer created accusing moments. The title “Devil Is Fine” is the band’s most successful song to date. Numerous scoops were swung to the smash hit “I Caught You” before Zeal & Ardor<\/strong> bid farewell with “Clawing Out”, the heaviest track of their career to date.\nWhile the polyphonic chorus repeated like a mantra, Manuel’s voice sounded so determined and terrifying that it sent shivers down your spine.\nThe accompanying rearing sound also had a spooky effect.\nYou can’t make a concert finale any more thrilling! <\/p>\n\n

Attunement<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

In complete contrast to the harshness just experienced, the busy bird calls and calming sound of the water resumed during the 30-minute break.\nIn no time at all, an impressive stage backdrop was created behind the mysterious curtain.\nNumerous trees, micro-stands fitted with antlers, ancient structures and huge drums created a look from a bygone era.\nThe founder of Heilung<\/strong>, Kai Uwe Faust, was the first to enter the venue.\nHe wore an elaborately designed robe with lots of different narrow, fluttering lengths of fabric.\nWith the help of a branch, he generously dispersed the vapor of incense to set the mood for the ancient prayer to come.\nAlongside Maria Franz and Christopher Juul, the Healing<\/strong> Collective slowly walked along.\nTogether they formed a circle and together with the audience they spoke the words of their meaningful opening ceremony: “Remember, that we all are brothers. All people, beasts, trees and stone and wind. We all descend from the one great being, that was always there. Before people lived and named it, before the first seed sprouted.” <\/p>\n\n

A feast for the eyes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Christopher blew a powerful horn to open the first track: “In Maidjan”.\nIn the background, two drummers set to work with their full bodies.\nAt the same time, they beat their huge instruments to the beat.\nKai Uwe joined in vocally with his impressive overtone singing, reminiscent of Mongolian lutes.\nThe fascination began.\nFor “Alfadhirhaiti”, Maria was initially the focus of the action.\nHer snow-white dress was trimmed with white strings and feathers under her arms, reminiscent of a dreamcatcher, as she folded her arms in a circle in front of her body.\nAs always, Kai Uwe and Maria’s faces were covered in fringes and they wore decorative antlers on their heads.\nThe singer gleefully raised his drinking horn and the crowd of fans promptly responded with a unified “sk\u00e5l”.\nHe greeted the audience with a stately wolf call and they responded in kind.\nThe band and fans were already united in thought.\nNumerous warriors with spears and shields positioned themselves in the middle of the stage to support Kai Uwe by stomping and singing. <\/p>\n\n

Endurance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

From then on, the fighters formed a circle and removed their shields.\nThe free upper bodies of the men and women were simply covered in dark war paint.\nAs they moved in unison, Maria’s voice rang out to “Asya” in her typically ethereal high notes.\nA murmur went through the crowd as “Krigsgaldr” followed.\nVarious sounds were created with bones, drums and metal objects.\nThe dedicated drummers continued to swing their arms far into the air to set the striking tone with all their might.\nKai Uwe and Christopher fought a vocal duel before the song ended with a stick hitting the floor.\nDuring the song “Tenet”, the delicate singer with the copper-colored dreadlocks incessantly swung a horn rattle.\nThe warriors’ torsos were adorned with individual runic symbols in neon letters.\nHer choreography was accompanied by steady rhythms and hypnotic chanting. <\/p>\n\n

Hot phase<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Kai Uwe turned his attention to a female warrior in the title “Traust”. He tied her backwards to her spear with a rope and then tightened the noose around her neck with a jerk. The young woman immediately fell to the ground. But Maria took heart. She approached the fallen woman with determination, brought her back to life and freed the young fighter from her weapon to release her. To “Anoana”, the frontman took his place on the floor with two female singers. They gracefully moved their arms around while Maria sat on a pedestal in the background playing an ancient string instrument. Suddenly Kai Uwe lit a torch. While they drummed themselves into ecstasy to “Elddansurin”, the leader beat his source of fire on a shield to the beat.\nThere was now a lot of movement in the audience.\nIt was impossible to stand still during this spectacle.\nPassionate dances were also performed on stage.\nHymnal female singing began.\nWith two flaming antlers, a dancer captivated us with her sensual movements. <\/p>\n\n

Exhilarating finale<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The wild piece “Hamer Hippyer” transformed the stage into a large dance floor.\nDetached, the entire collective got moving. The atmosphere was at its absolute peak. The euphoric togetherness inevitably spread to the audience.\nThey danced themselves into a frenzy on and in front of the stage.\nBeaming faces were the result and thunderous applause was guaranteed for Heilung<\/strong>.\nThe Danish-German-Norwegian band bid farewell to their fans in Cologne’s Palladium with a farewell ceremony.\nAs at the beginning, Kai Uwe lit his incense in a bowl.\nThis time, however, everyone on stage formed a circle and the singer fanned not only the audience with the strong scent, but also the entire band.\nReverently and happily at the same time, the collective bowed to each other and to the enthusiastic crowd.\nThis concluded the great ritual of the evening. <\/p>\n\n

Side effects?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Customs and traditions are not forgotten thanks to a band like Heilung<\/strong>.\nThey skillfully aroused the necessary awareness, but also interest in a bygone era.\nDoes the spectacle of this special dimension still have an effect?\nBut yes.\nAt first, all the unfamiliar impressions had to settle.\nBut then a truly pleasant relaxation set in.\nAlthough there was so much going on on stage, the audience was able to be at peace with themselves during these two hours.\nThe regular rhythms and mantra-like singing created an inner contentment that left you feeling thoughtful and happy at the same time.\nAnd what could be nicer than escaping the demands of everyday life in this magical way? <\/p>\n\n

Setlist ZEAL & ARDOR:<\/strong>“The Bird, the Lion and the Wildkid” – “G\u00f6tterd\u00e4mmerung” – “Ship on Fire” – “Tuskegee” – “Blood in the River” – “Kilonova” – “To My Ilk” – “Death to the Holy” – “Sugarcoat” – “Devil Is Fine” – “I Caught You” – “Clawing Out”<\/p>\n\n

Setlist HEILUNG:<\/strong>“Opening Ceremony” – “In Maidjan” – “Alfadhirhaiti” – “Asja” – “Krigsgaldr” – “Hakkerskaldyr” – “Svanrand” – “Tenet” – “Traust” – “Anoana” – “Galgaldr” – “Elddansurin” – “Hamer Hippyer” – “Closing Ceremony”<\/p>\n\n

Text: Nadine KloppertPhotos: Michael Gamon<\/p>\n\n

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