Gloryhammer
Copenhell - 2025
Text: Tobias Nilsson Photo: Lunah Lauridsen
Moving outside of our Danish borders for the first time of the day, it was time for guests from the myth shrouded land of unicorns, space goblins, and crazy comedy - from the shores of Dundee, it was Gloryhammer!
“Holy fucking shit! We love coming back to Denmark!”
- James ‘The Hootsman, Astral Demigod of Unst’ Cartwright (bass)
With them, as always, was none other than Tom ‘The Voice’ Jones as a trusted support band, warming the already active crowd up with his chart breaker Delilah.
After this, it was of course time for the main act to take the stage, a stage built in the same fantastic manner as it had been at Metal Hammer Paradise late last year.
Gloryhammer opened the ball with The Land Of Unicorns, a track that was greeted by the crowd filling up with unicorn balloons and other, pink inflatables - everyone knew what the assignment was, and were geared up for the task.
It was nice to see that the band members also came prepared and ready to go. Paul ‘Ser Proletius, Grand Master of the Deathknights of Crail’ Templing, whom we’ve noticed in the past to be relatively relaxed on stage, even came out jumping, that’s how pumped the band was! Sozos ‘Angus McFife II’ Michael was more in character and playful than we’ve seen him before, but it was still and again Michael ‘Zargothrax, Dark Emperor of Dundee’ Barber that stole the show with his overpowering stage presence.
“Copenhell, how are you doing? That was about 25 percent. I want 1000 percent! Ok, we can work with that!”
- Michael ‘Zargothrax, Dark Emperor of Dundee’ Barber (keyboard/guitar)
As hinted at, the band had gathered a whole lot of fans in front of the Hades stage (surprising move by the festival not to have them play Helvíti), and the party was on from even before the musicians entered the stage. Things didn’t calm down when they did though, as the festival guests were only too happy to sing along to the songs, and show their allegiance with raised weapons and raised fists for those without extra arms. There was moshing and circle pits from the first track, but for a while there was a surprising absence of crowdsurfers, something the band usually excels at bringing out. Well, all things to those who wait, I suppose, as this particular crowd activity finally kicked into gear in full effect as a goblin was laying down a sax solo in Wasteland Warrior Hoots Patrol.
After this, it was all in on all gears until the show was done.
“Copenhell, you live up to your name! You’ve turned this cold day into a flaming hellscape!”
- Sozos ‘Angus McFife II’ Michael (vocals)
Gloryhammer had fun, and so did the crowd. It was a fine show, with nothing in particular to point any fingers at. Even so, it didn’t quite manage to rise above fluffy pastime entertainment into something truly memorable.
Setlist:
Delilah (Tom Jones song)
The Land Of Unicorns
He Has Returned
Fly Away
Wasteland Warrior Hoots Patrol
Gloryhammer
On A Quest For Aberdeen
Keeper Of The Celestial Flame Of Abernethy
Universe On Fire
Hootsforce
The Unicorn Invasion Of Dundee
“Holy fucking shit! We love coming back to Denmark!”
- James ‘The Hootsman, Astral Demigod of Unst’ Cartwright (bass)
With them, as always, was none other than Tom ‘The Voice’ Jones as a trusted support band, warming the already active crowd up with his chart breaker Delilah.
After this, it was of course time for the main act to take the stage, a stage built in the same fantastic manner as it had been at Metal Hammer Paradise late last year.
Gloryhammer opened the ball with The Land Of Unicorns, a track that was greeted by the crowd filling up with unicorn balloons and other, pink inflatables - everyone knew what the assignment was, and were geared up for the task.
It was nice to see that the band members also came prepared and ready to go. Paul ‘Ser Proletius, Grand Master of the Deathknights of Crail’ Templing, whom we’ve noticed in the past to be relatively relaxed on stage, even came out jumping, that’s how pumped the band was! Sozos ‘Angus McFife II’ Michael was more in character and playful than we’ve seen him before, but it was still and again Michael ‘Zargothrax, Dark Emperor of Dundee’ Barber that stole the show with his overpowering stage presence.
“Copenhell, how are you doing? That was about 25 percent. I want 1000 percent! Ok, we can work with that!”
- Michael ‘Zargothrax, Dark Emperor of Dundee’ Barber (keyboard/guitar)
As hinted at, the band had gathered a whole lot of fans in front of the Hades stage (surprising move by the festival not to have them play Helvíti), and the party was on from even before the musicians entered the stage. Things didn’t calm down when they did though, as the festival guests were only too happy to sing along to the songs, and show their allegiance with raised weapons and raised fists for those without extra arms. There was moshing and circle pits from the first track, but for a while there was a surprising absence of crowdsurfers, something the band usually excels at bringing out. Well, all things to those who wait, I suppose, as this particular crowd activity finally kicked into gear in full effect as a goblin was laying down a sax solo in Wasteland Warrior Hoots Patrol.
After this, it was all in on all gears until the show was done.
“Copenhell, you live up to your name! You’ve turned this cold day into a flaming hellscape!”
- Sozos ‘Angus McFife II’ Michael (vocals)
Gloryhammer had fun, and so did the crowd. It was a fine show, with nothing in particular to point any fingers at. Even so, it didn’t quite manage to rise above fluffy pastime entertainment into something truly memorable.
Setlist:
Delilah (Tom Jones song)
The Land Of Unicorns
He Has Returned
Fly Away
Wasteland Warrior Hoots Patrol
Gloryhammer
On A Quest For Aberdeen
Keeper Of The Celestial Flame Of Abernethy
Universe On Fire
Hootsforce
The Unicorn Invasion Of Dundee
Gloryhammer
