In Extremo / Korpiklaani / Raubein @ Z7
November 16, 2024, Konzertfabrik Z7 Pratteln, Switzerland
Fans had to wait for almost a whole year for this In Extremo concert, which was planned to take place December 21, 2023 and now we have Mid-November 2024 when it finally takes place.
The delay occured back then, because to wrap up the new album «Wolkenschieber» took much more time than expected, but I think I can say that it was worth the wait. Since September the new output has been on the market and now the tour, and we are grateful that they still drop by here at Z7. Unfortunately such big names have become rare in this part of the country, many big bands prefer to play in Zürich instead – but some luckily still rather enjoy performing at Z7.
This concert eventing starts early with the first band on at 18:45 h, and the club is pretty full already, even no longer feels really comfortable. Naturally the bands appreciate a sold-out venue. The opener today are Raubein with their Deutschrock, rough Rock in German language, which inspires a good mood and raising the glasses. For Raubein it’s the third time at Z7 and singer Henry seems to enjoy it here – there’s a lot of banter and even more beer, which leaves a smitten audience. This evening, Raubein definitely make a lot of new fans.
Only a short changeover until the next act: Korpiklaani from Finland belong to the regular guests at Z7. This time the Finns don’t have a smooth start, singer Jonne Järvelä sounds pretty off-key, which improves during the show. However, he has delivered better performances in the past – admittedly, also much worse shows. It is a bit of a lottery with Korpiklaani, whether you’ll get a good performance or not. It’s a pity, this was one of those real good acts and I have no idea why the quality has been less reliable. Let’s hope that there are no health reasons behind it… The setlist tonight focuses on classics and tracks of this year’s album release Rankarumpu. The audience enjoys the show and sing along happily with Vodka. What a drinking spree this Saturday, quite fun if you had a few, not so funny when sober.
In case you are familiar with the movie Walhalla from 1986, where Tjelve travels with Thor to Udgard – this is how I feel, as if at Udgard amidst the Trolls, funny and scary at the same time.
Anyway, we’re here for the music, and finally the long wait is over: In Extremo are ready for the stage, but we photographers still have to wait. Due to many pyros and other effects, we are allowed to take pictures from the pit only from the tenth song. Somehow relaxing to simply watch the band perform right from the start and to enjoy songs like «Troja», «Herr Mannelig», «Liam», «Küss mich», «Rasend Herz» and of course Moonshiner, Störtebeker or Sternhagelvoll, where the audience sings along. This must be the most beautiful present for a musician – when they don’t need to sing themselves, because everybody in the audience takes over this job, and loudly. Happy and ecstatic fans everywhere, and the photo crew receives first a welcome by Michael (You’re taking photos now?) and then a burst of heart-shaped confetti from a cannon. This is simply an act that knows how to make their audiences happy, a band that creates music in high quality which is difficult to surpass. A fantastic concert evening, which hopefully will soon receive an encore.
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