A completely new and, to me, unknown band called Huldre were opening for Svartsot this night at the good old Christiania venue Loppen. It was a long time since my last visit, and I was glad to be back, but more importantly was of course the music we would be given this night…

Dressed in medieval clothing, the very folkish metal band Huldre began playing a slow, almost meditative song called Beirblakken, but no sooner had we closed our eyes and been transported to a time and place long since lost, than the heavier section of the band kicked in and yanked us right back to the here and now with some heavy riffing from the bands guitarist Lasse Olufsen and bassist Bjarne Kristiansen, well backed by drummer Jacob Lund.
Ok, so this is what the band is about then I thought, heavy riffing from the gents with a violin played by Laura Beck and the captivating voice of Nanna Barslev to carry the lofty and silky-sweet melody. Then the second song, Ulvevinter, began and the scene was completely changed by the cheerful dance atmosphere which the track lured out in us.
Barslev commented this by asking us if there wasn’t anyone interested in taking their neighbour under the arm and dance around, and to help things along she entertainingly added; ”Beer might help!”
Well, beer did flow, and dancing and merriment was made like never before all through the set; had it not been for the fact that the small venue was only about half-filled (there was another, larger metalshow being played at the same time elsewhere in the city), this could easily have been a dance-moshpit which could rival the best of Korpiklaani, the uncrowned kings dancy metal shows...
Barslev herself even joined the throng during the instrumental song Spillemand, which was the second to last song for the band this evening.

Maybe it was this great connection with the crowd, or the fantastic atmosphere created by positive, good music which made the crowd love the band so much that they were shouting relentlessly for more when the show was done; I even heard someone shout; ”Huldre is better than Svartsot!”.
Whatever the reason, our enthusiasm clearly rubbed off on the band and after a quick check with time, they generously agreed to play one more song, even though it wasn’t actually planned.
Now, remember how I in the beginning mentioned that Huldre is a new band? Well, when it was time for the encore, this certainly showed, as the band apologized for not having any more songs, and hence they were forced to play a song they had already played this night!
Not that anyone disapproved though, and Ulvevinter pulled out just as much, if not more, dancers as it had the first time around.

If I should describe Huldre, I would think that the closest I can come is by referring to early Lumsk, around the Åsmund Frægdegjevar era (you know, when they were still interesting), as the earlier mentioned constant riffing from the guitar, with the violin creating the melody. Also the way Barslev used her voice in a very distinct Nordic tradition reminded me of the two female singers this band has had.
If I should describe the show I would have to go into words like delightful, soothing, wild, invigorating and certainly not least, surprising! If they were good enough to top Svartsot, as the good man said, I shall not go into as I do not have a ready answer, but I shall say that both bands did an amazing job, and that Huldre one of the best new finds in a band I have made this year.
There is still some work to be done here, but with the way things are going, I anticipate a bright future for this band.

Setlist:

Beirblakken
Ulvevinter
Skovpolska
Troldesang
Togsang
Havgus
Spillemand
Knoglekvad
Encore:
Ulvevinter