Wolfheart
Pumpehuset, Copenhagen - 2024
Text: Tobias Nilsson Photo: Lunah Lauridsen
Having missed out on their gig at Metal Hammer paradise the day before, it was now time to dedicate some time to Wolfheart, second of two bands touring together with Dark Tranquillity and Moonspell. Wolfheart also being the title of Moonspell’s debut album, I of course wondered if there might be some connection there, but I can’t say I found one.
Maybe Wolfheart would find more of a connection with Copenhagen?
“Good evening! We are Wolfheart from Finland. Copenhagen!”
- Tuomas Saukkonen (vocals/bass)
The calm acoustic intro (possibly taken from The Hunt, but I can’t be sure) used by the band belied the ass kicking they had in store for us. The first thing to hit me however, was the visuals of the band. Due to how much space the equipment of the next two bands took up, thus pushing Wolfheart’s drumkit all the way to the front, the band didn’t really have all that much space, and yet, they sported some mighty impressive mic stands decorated with skulls and horns, and both Lauri Silvonen and Vagelis Karzis had brought boxes along to stand on, something they were often in favour of doing. In short, Wolfheart was really good at optimizing the hand they were dealt.
This bled through to the performance as well. Silvonen was the most mobile of the bunch, where Karzis favoured wild headbanging, something Saukkonen joined in when not being tied to the mic.
“It’s a fucking hour to be here! How many are seeing us for the first time? (almost all hands in the air) Ok, we should come here more often!”
- Saukkonen (vocals/bass)
Wolfheart was a brand new experience for me, and it would seem I wasn’t the only one going at it in the same manner. The band was cheered on when they entered the stage, and there were hearty applause in between songs, but other than that, the crowd was mostly just grooving along to the songs, bobbing their heads. Still, there was no lack of enthusiasm to play along when Saukkonen asked for something, be it fists in the air or a large circle pit - all was accepted and undertaken by the audience.
Wolfheart was without comparison the hardest and heaviest band here tonight, but it’s hard to say if this worked in their favour or not. For my part, I fully acknowledge the good work they put in to play for us, but sadly, they just didn’t quite manage to grab my.
Still, it was a good start for the rest of the evening, and when the last part of The Hammer rung out, I believe we were all truly warmed up and ready for the rest.
Maybe Wolfheart would find more of a connection with Copenhagen?
“Good evening! We are Wolfheart from Finland. Copenhagen!”
- Tuomas Saukkonen (vocals/bass)
The calm acoustic intro (possibly taken from The Hunt, but I can’t be sure) used by the band belied the ass kicking they had in store for us. The first thing to hit me however, was the visuals of the band. Due to how much space the equipment of the next two bands took up, thus pushing Wolfheart’s drumkit all the way to the front, the band didn’t really have all that much space, and yet, they sported some mighty impressive mic stands decorated with skulls and horns, and both Lauri Silvonen and Vagelis Karzis had brought boxes along to stand on, something they were often in favour of doing. In short, Wolfheart was really good at optimizing the hand they were dealt.
This bled through to the performance as well. Silvonen was the most mobile of the bunch, where Karzis favoured wild headbanging, something Saukkonen joined in when not being tied to the mic.
“It’s a fucking hour to be here! How many are seeing us for the first time? (almost all hands in the air) Ok, we should come here more often!”
- Saukkonen (vocals/bass)
Wolfheart was a brand new experience for me, and it would seem I wasn’t the only one going at it in the same manner. The band was cheered on when they entered the stage, and there were hearty applause in between songs, but other than that, the crowd was mostly just grooving along to the songs, bobbing their heads. Still, there was no lack of enthusiasm to play along when Saukkonen asked for something, be it fists in the air or a large circle pit - all was accepted and undertaken by the audience.
Wolfheart was without comparison the hardest and heaviest band here tonight, but it’s hard to say if this worked in their favour or not. For my part, I fully acknowledge the good work they put in to play for us, but sadly, they just didn’t quite manage to grab my.
Still, it was a good start for the rest of the evening, and when the last part of The Hammer rung out, I believe we were all truly warmed up and ready for the rest.