Saturnus
Metaldays - 2019
Text: Tobias Nilsson Photo: Lunah Lauridsen
After several bands from Norway, and several bands from Sweden, Denmark was finally making their entrance to the game, and they did it in style.
Saturnus is one of the classic Danish bands, having spread their heavy dose of doom across the country since the early/mid 'Nineties, and now it was time for them to level out Slovenia.
“Hello! Are you feeling good? So are we.”
- Thomas A.G. Jensen (vocals)
Saturnus was playing the second stage, which was at this time covered in darkness. The dim, purple light from the stage vaguely illuminated the few trees, and in the far, one could just catch the surrounding mountains by the quickly retreating strands of lingering daylight. The stage was perfectly set for doom.
From the speakers, there rumbled a mighty, majestic piece of intro music, reaching the ears of the few gathered people in the crowd. Every Dane at the festival was surely here, yet that doesn't necessarily amount to all that much, all things considered.
Without a word, yet with smiling faces, the band took the stage and began playing - slow, heavy, dark, just the way it's supposed to be.
As far as I could hear, the sound was very good, with the one comment that Jensen's clean vocals were a bit low in the mix. They obviously don't get the same power as the growls, and needed a boost from the mixing table.
Neither could I clearly hear Martin Steene's guitar, but this was most likely on me - it's common that the guitars get one side each, and I was standing front row in Rune Stiassny's side. I'm positive this was better closer to the middle, or further back for that sake.
The light was purple. With a dash of blue. Yes, the gloomy doom was clearly shining through here, and even though the lightshow wasn't nearly as impressive as for some of the other concerts at the festival, it fit well with the style of the music. In Christ Goodbye, there came a purple and green swirl, which looked very good, and proved that there was a place for some invention after all.
More importantly though, the music was on point. There was even space for variation here, or as Jensen jokingly, yet honestly, said at one point; “Now we're gonna slow down quite a lot.” This was said between Murky Waters and Forest Of Insomnia.
The band performed well. It was interesting to see Steene, because this is very far from the role we better know him for, the energetic frontman of Iron Fire. Here, he had managed to change his stage persona to fit with the music, the band, and his role in it. On the opposite side, Stiassny was living his lead work, seemingly feeling every note. Jensen and Brian Pomy Hansen (bass) took it a bit easier, but warmed up more and more during the show, getting more into it. From where I was standing, I couldn't see Henrik Glass (drums), but the playing was on point.
And yes, warmed up. It was clear that the heat was getting to the band, who had to make several breaks to dry off, and get something to drink. Metaldays this year was a showcase of extremely good weather, and clearly it was getting to the pale vikings.
“I'm surprised to see so many here, especially since Rotting Christ is playing.”
- Jensen (vocals)
When booked, Saturnus was set to play at the same time as Phil Anselmo, who was booked to play an all Pantera set. No one, not even the band, expected to see anyone at Saturnus' show. Then Anselmo cancelled, and things looked up for the Danes. Until Rotting Christ was announced as the replacement. Sure, Rotting Christ doesn't hold as broad an appeal as Pantera, but they've built a strong following nonetheless.
I too was surprised to see as many as I did, upon arriving at the second stage, and yet the crowd kept growing, slowly but steadily. Even more so, shouts and applause grew explosively louder between each song. During the songs, people were nodding along, and keeping generally calm, but there was no doubt that they were enjoying the concert. And why wouldn't they? Saturnus was creating some genuine atmosphere as the show progressed, and in showing their own appreciation, Jensen went into the security pit after the show, to hand out setlists and shake hands with the waiting fans. After him, Stiassny also took a turn in the pit, greeting fans. That's a good way to treat those who like you for what you do.
Setlist:
Litany Of Rain
Murky Waters
Forest of Insomnia
A Father’s Providence
I Long
Christ Goodbye
Saturnus is one of the classic Danish bands, having spread their heavy dose of doom across the country since the early/mid 'Nineties, and now it was time for them to level out Slovenia.
“Hello! Are you feeling good? So are we.”
- Thomas A.G. Jensen (vocals)
Saturnus was playing the second stage, which was at this time covered in darkness. The dim, purple light from the stage vaguely illuminated the few trees, and in the far, one could just catch the surrounding mountains by the quickly retreating strands of lingering daylight. The stage was perfectly set for doom.
From the speakers, there rumbled a mighty, majestic piece of intro music, reaching the ears of the few gathered people in the crowd. Every Dane at the festival was surely here, yet that doesn't necessarily amount to all that much, all things considered.
Without a word, yet with smiling faces, the band took the stage and began playing - slow, heavy, dark, just the way it's supposed to be.
As far as I could hear, the sound was very good, with the one comment that Jensen's clean vocals were a bit low in the mix. They obviously don't get the same power as the growls, and needed a boost from the mixing table.
Neither could I clearly hear Martin Steene's guitar, but this was most likely on me - it's common that the guitars get one side each, and I was standing front row in Rune Stiassny's side. I'm positive this was better closer to the middle, or further back for that sake.
The light was purple. With a dash of blue. Yes, the gloomy doom was clearly shining through here, and even though the lightshow wasn't nearly as impressive as for some of the other concerts at the festival, it fit well with the style of the music. In Christ Goodbye, there came a purple and green swirl, which looked very good, and proved that there was a place for some invention after all.
More importantly though, the music was on point. There was even space for variation here, or as Jensen jokingly, yet honestly, said at one point; “Now we're gonna slow down quite a lot.” This was said between Murky Waters and Forest Of Insomnia.
The band performed well. It was interesting to see Steene, because this is very far from the role we better know him for, the energetic frontman of Iron Fire. Here, he had managed to change his stage persona to fit with the music, the band, and his role in it. On the opposite side, Stiassny was living his lead work, seemingly feeling every note. Jensen and Brian Pomy Hansen (bass) took it a bit easier, but warmed up more and more during the show, getting more into it. From where I was standing, I couldn't see Henrik Glass (drums), but the playing was on point.
And yes, warmed up. It was clear that the heat was getting to the band, who had to make several breaks to dry off, and get something to drink. Metaldays this year was a showcase of extremely good weather, and clearly it was getting to the pale vikings.
“I'm surprised to see so many here, especially since Rotting Christ is playing.”
- Jensen (vocals)
When booked, Saturnus was set to play at the same time as Phil Anselmo, who was booked to play an all Pantera set. No one, not even the band, expected to see anyone at Saturnus' show. Then Anselmo cancelled, and things looked up for the Danes. Until Rotting Christ was announced as the replacement. Sure, Rotting Christ doesn't hold as broad an appeal as Pantera, but they've built a strong following nonetheless.
I too was surprised to see as many as I did, upon arriving at the second stage, and yet the crowd kept growing, slowly but steadily. Even more so, shouts and applause grew explosively louder between each song. During the songs, people were nodding along, and keeping generally calm, but there was no doubt that they were enjoying the concert. And why wouldn't they? Saturnus was creating some genuine atmosphere as the show progressed, and in showing their own appreciation, Jensen went into the security pit after the show, to hand out setlists and shake hands with the waiting fans. After him, Stiassny also took a turn in the pit, greeting fans. That's a good way to treat those who like you for what you do.
Setlist:
Litany Of Rain
Murky Waters
Forest of Insomnia
A Father’s Providence
I Long
Christ Goodbye
Saturnus
