On the second and final day of the first ever Epic Fest, a local band got to open the day.
I say local, but that does in no way mean a band without merit - the band was none other than Denmark’s premium power metal band Iron Fire.

“So many people at a power metal show in Denmark? What the hell is going on?!”
- Martin Steene (vocals)

One is tempted to agree with Martin Steene’s surprised outcry. Power metal has never been a big genre in Denmark, nothing compared to neighbouring nations such as Sweden and Germany. Still, Epic Fest had opened up the gates for the fans, and now they were coming out. Being the first band out, Iron Fire didn’t enjoy as packed a hall as Blind Guardian had done the night before, but there was still a fair amount of people ready to rock, and they were chanting the frontman’s (and sole original member) name as the band took the stage. The biggest problem wasn’t actually a lack of interest in the band, but that most people were still stuck in the check-in line. That’s a bad deal for the band and fans alike, but at least the crowd kept growing through the show.

Regardless of the amount of fans they had before them, the band were ready to open the day in style. Especially Steene was very talkative between songs, and he often encouraged the crowd to sing along, holding out his mic for everyone to take part in the show. The rest of the band was more focused on delivering the music, taking things a little easier and focusing on playing and headbanging, but at least bassist Jakob Haugaard could be seen looking out over the room, trying to get an eye contact going with the audience.
Steene also incited the crowd to pump their metal horns in the air and sing along for Manowarian titled Kill For Metal, a fitting song with its sing along friendly and melodious chorus.

“Thank you for showing up and singing along, you have been awesome!”
- Steene (vocals)

Despite the band’s, and especially Steene’s efforts, and the band being among friends, the show never managed to fully take flight. It was a good time, but nothing exceptional, and I was hoping for that, I must admit. But as mentioned, both the band and the crowd had a good time - one so much she threw her red knickers up to Rune Stiassny at the end of the show!
At the end, there was really only one unanswered question - where was Thunderstorm? The band’s signature hit song had for some reason been left out of the set, and it was sorely missed.

Setlist:

Wings Of Rage
March Of The Immortals
Blade Of Triumph
Bridges Will Burn
Kill For Metal
Leviathan
The Final Crusade