A surprisingly relaxed atmosphere floated over The Gov as metal fans stood waiting patiently like isolated, scorched tree stumps. Despite being a rainy Sunday in Adelaide the last night of Switzerland’s Eluveitie’s Australian tour was a treat for local metal fans.
With bright white lights hi-lighting pale, tattooed forearms Melbourne’s Orpheus Omega began their set with a cry of “Adelaide”, attempting to shake the audience from its Sunday night semi-coma. The band’s passionate tones did what a good support should do, getting the crowd pumped for the headline act. Epic keytaring and strong interplay between band members showed why the Melbourne based shredders had been chosen for the tour.
This was the first time the 8 piece Swiss act Eluveitie had performed in Adelaide and 2 years since they were last in Australia. To even the most unversed observer it was obvious from the outset what makes this group so unique in the metal scene. Along with the usual guitars, screamo vocals and drums, they also incorporated violin, tin whistles and the most unusual instrument, a hand-operated string instrument called a “hurdy gurdy”.
There was some confusion early on when lead singer Chrigel Glanzmann decided to conduct a circle mosh (opposite direction in the northern hemisphere perhaps?) but it got there in the end, although the medium turn out meant it resembled a mob of angry pixies rather than a full blown metal body storm. Fantastic band interaction gave testament to the longevity of the group, having produced 6 studio albums over 10 years.
Part 2 of their show involved an ‘unplugged’ set, complete with bar stools and a number of Celtic folk pieces lifted from their acoustic album Evocation. Loyal fans were excited, but replacing the circle mosh with twirling hips had some looks of bewilderment from the toughest metal heads. Folk meets metal – it was a bit like the temperance union infiltrating a beer and bbq exhibition. After a brief interlude the group were back into the thick, lush, saturated guitars with the trade mark Celtic overtones.
With imminent line up changes for the group this was the first and last chance for Adelaide fans to see Eluveitie in its current form. Definitely worth seeing for any metal fan, and an eye opener for the intrepid Celtic music lover.
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