‘Tis not often that one can squeeze together a concert review, and an album review, into one and the same review.
However, as we are reviewing Huldre’s release party of their second album, Tusmørke (Twilight or Dusk), at which the band presented the album by playing it live through and through, ‘tis exactly what we’ll attempt here.

“This is wildly, wildly fantastic! Absolutely fantastic, fantastic, fantastic to see you here!”
- Nanna Barslev (vocals)

‘Twas a long event, and it opened up long before we even reached Loppen. Again, a fitting place to hold this type of event. The old, naked wood that makes the shell of the concert hall worked well with the world of Huldre, and it was, after all, the place where we saw them for the first time, so long ago.
The band made sure their fans were well fed with traditional “fedtemad” (a slice of bread spread with fat, and sometimes, though not necessarily, with other toppings, such as brown sugar or fried onions, for added flavour), and well drunk with beers and a special kind of wine (I think, though I didn’t try it).
The merchandise booth held everything a fan could desire. There were shirts old and new, albums old and new, rub-on tattoos and stickers, keyring bones, and for a limited few (they sold out during the evening) there was even a logo-branded ceramic cup.
A special DJ was hired, and the party was going well. Two hours after the doors opened however, the highlight of the evening was set to begin. The concert. The new album played, song after song, all the way through. The audience was ready, the band was ready, the stage was set. This is what we heard.

“Jagt” (Hunt)
A slow and heavy beginning, changed into a higher tempo further in. Great opening, and just like the hunt it was named for, it had some nice changes in speed and intensity throughout.

“Hindeham” (Deerhide)
This one, we were told, Laura Emilie Beck came up with the melody for during a soundcheck at Amager Bio. It featured a very nice riff from Lasse Olufson, and was an all-around headbanging friendly piece. And then there was that middle section, where everything went crazy!

“Varulv” (Werewolf)
Varulv is almost a trademark livesong by now, having been featured in Huldre’s live set for at least two years already. This of course meant that it was perfect for a song-along, and the audience happily joined in during the “ulven render I skoven” bit. Nice mid-tempo song, with a good folkish structure.

“Underjordisk” (Subterranean)
By now, it was time to turn up the tempo. Huldre delivered one of their faster songs, and had the audience jump along to the wild rhythm.

“Skifting” (Changeling)
This gruesome story about a child being swapped for a troll child, started out slow and threatening, and then moved over to a melodious song with a lot of changes in. Jacob Lund’s drums had a prominent role to play here, and the vocals sounded almost like Gregorian chanting in places.

“Fæstemand” (Fiancé)
This is another one of those that have been featured in the live set before, although not for as long as Varulv, I believe. Either way, it was a slow, melodious piece, where Olufson changed his guitar for a mandolin (or something like it). Again, there was a nice sing-along line for the crowd to join in on.

“Mørke” (Darkness)
Really changing things up now, Huldre went straight for a fast song, featuring thundering drums, and a rat catchers pipe (no, don’t know the name of that one either) played masterfully by Troels Nørgaard. The latter actually made for a competition when the song was done. Name the flute, win an album. And somebody did.

“Tæring” (Corrosion)
Now we entered into new territory, with some kind of sailor’s song. This was clearly catering to the more metal inclined of the audience, letting Olufson’s guitar take the lead, while being exceptionally backed by Lund’s drums and Bjarne Kristiansen on bass. It was possibly the most straight forward of all the songs, but worked well as a counterweight to the more folkish material. Good to see the band pulling this sort of stuff off as well.

“Nattesorg” (Nightsorrow)
The last song of the album, and thus the main show, was another slow, brooding, and melodic thing. And dark, very dark. Without sounding like it, it reminded me in tone and spirit of Skærsild from Intet Menneskebarn, and it was nice to hear the consistency of thought and artistry. Getting more into it, I’m sure I’ll find this to be a perfect closer.

Between songs, Barslev entertained us with information about the coming song. Little anecdotes regarding the origin or meaning of certain things, or simply tales from the studio, or the writing process. At this type of event, that was a brilliant strategy, and it was well received by the audience.
It was still the songs however, that really hit home. Please bear in mind, that the text above only reflects a first time impression, and a live one at that. For a more in-depth analysis, more in-depth listening is of course required. What I can say with certainty, is that Tusmørke as a whole, will not disappoint anyone! ‘Tis another slab of a well-crafted folk and metal hybrid. There is room for both, and neither one assimilates the other. Perfect harmony.

The show wasn’t over though. A short breather for the band, and they were back for the planned encore. This time, they hadn’t run out of songs.
So, as Barslev took to the crowd, the musicians went at it with Spillemand, that wild frenzy of an instrumental that has proven effective at all previous occasions. Huldre was a bit playful this evening though, and didn’t mind changing it up a bit from its well-known formula. Especially Kristiansen got to show off some skill here.
After this, Barslev was back on the stage, and the band topped the whole thing of with Ulvevinter, another crowd favourite. Or so they thought. But, even though the DJ resumed his work, the crowds' call for more deafened the music out, and beckoned the band back on stage once more. This, they apparently weren't prepared for, but were still quick to take up the challenge. Knoglekvad was chosen as the real encore, and once again, the crowd went wild.
After this, the concert truly was finished, but the place stayed open, and the band members were soon on the floor to mingle with friends and fans alike.

What can I say? This band hasn't ceased to amaze me yet, and I doubt they will for the foreseeable future. I'm strongly looking forward to delving into this new album. It's been long overdue, but now it's here. And yet, there's no company that has come to their senses, and signed the band?! Not that this seems to stop them.

Setlist:

Jagt
Hindeham
Varulv
Underjordisk
Skifting
Fæstemand
Mørke
Tæring
Nattesorg
Spillemand
Uvlevinter
Encore:
Knoglekvad