Bloodstained Metal Minifest @ Alimus
November 29-30, 2024, Alimus, Helsinki, Finland
On the one hand, one could lament that such a legendary metal festival location like Nosturi has still not found a replacement. On the other hand, more and more new clubs (e.g. Playhouse Bar) are popping up that offer rock/metal gigs more frequently and some older venues (e.g. Ääniwalli) are investing in stage technology and environment. Which means that metalheads in the Finnish capital can be looking into a quite bright future. The first Bloodstained Mini Metalfest offered me the perfect opportunity to check out one of those newer venues called
Alimus.
And the club itself is immediately appealing – an old building where the decor, massive wooden coffered ceilings and a piano (? or mini organ?) suggest that it had once a more spiritual purpose … For about a year now, Alimus has been operating as a professional multifunctional venue (spacious stage literally underground, impressive lighting/sound system) with a wide-ranging program from stand-up comedy to regular rock/metal gigs.
The first act of the mini metal festival has obviously decided on combining the aforementioned two genres: Carnival Academy impresses with nice colorful outfits even before the first note is played. The music could be described as “imagine a songwriting collaboration of Linkin Park, The Cult and Volbeat”, plus a dash of disco, plus just the right dose of -core that doesn’t sound annoying. A hilarious frontman makes the show particularly entertaining, unfortunately in front of not so many people (yet), although this gig is open to metalheads of all ages (due to strict alcohol licensing rules, many Finnish club shows & festivals adopt the 18+ access policy).
Bandwebsite
By the time prog-metallers Kaira take to the stage, the approximately 150 people venue has filled up a little better. The attendance remains on somewhat half capacity for the entire festival, but the enthusiasm of those present easily makes up for it. Some of the Kaira band members are already known from Keoma … This band has also specialized in long, intense and epic songs with beautiful melodies, but with Finnish lyrics and a strong dose of doom. On this day, singer Jasse’s kids are probably the youngest in the audience who show big interest in the performances. Bandwebsite
There is a relaxed family reunion atmosphere throughout the festival, with the audience ranging from teenagers to senior citizens. The short changeover breaks and the punctual schedule are also positive.
Obviously there are a lot of fans of the epic melancholic melodic death band Beyond the Hate in the audience, because for the first time it’s not just the photographers right at the stage. The metal veterans are not put off by the initial technical hiccups on the lead vocal mic and deliver a solid show with literal audience contact. Which in this case means that friendly fans hand over some of their drinks to thirsty musicians. Bandwebsite
SulfuriS also have a bit of a problem at the beginning, for example with the clean vocals pitch during the first song – later on, the change between growls, shouts and clean vocals works better. However, the energetic, dramatic show immediately impresses the audience – here a guitarist runs around among the crowd, there the sassy frontman performs goth rock metal modern dance and entertains with sarcastic comments. Such chaotic energy reminds me of the early Lost Society shows. Bandwebsite
I probably shouldn’t have praised the punctuality, because on day 2 Artifer starts more than 20 minutes late. The alternative metal band from Estonia is visiting Finland for the first time – and probably not for the last time. Catchy melodies with pop appeal, a bit of punk and industrial – it all goes down well. Even those whose parents had only just been born when the original was released can sing along to Britney’s “Baby one more time” cover version… It’s nice to see the rock/metal kids enjoying the show. At the end the Artifer sound becomes -core and the singer seems a bit more relaxed when performing without a guitar. Or was it just a bit of double-duty anxiety? Bandwebsite
With EGRES, the reason for the lengthy sound check becomes clear – the Finns’ performance opens with a music video premiere (it’s really worth watching “Retrieval”) on a big screen. And what follows is truly spectacular in every respect, not only referring to the special effects. Symphonic prog metal, many instrumentalists and singers, plus a cello – no doubt it’s anything but easy to get the mix right for a live show. Indeed, the sound / light people did a great job not only for this band but for the whole festival. For the only Finnish song in the EGRES program, a KÄRKY cover, the song’s composer Henrik Illikainen joins them on stage as a guest singer. Bandwebsite
Strych:9 are another guest act from Estonia and calso playing live in Finland for the first time. And here, too, it can be assumed that this will not be the last time. The high-energy industrial metalcreates a party atmosphere immediately, because those ear-candy songs also have this dancefloor appeal. Bandwebsite
And kudos to the organizers who handled the changeover breaks in record time, which were designed to be very short in first place. When the Finns DOL kick off, the delay in this day’s schedule was just 10 minutes… The party atmosphere is continued with more traditional rock/metal sounds, where the cover version of “Hurt” can be placed somewhere in the middle of the NIN and Johnny Cash versions. Bandwebsite
In conclusion, I can only say that you should check out all the bands, the festival was a full success in terms of the program: Overall high quality and a variety of genres, but not too much contrast. There could have been a bit more audience, though, hopefully the next Bloodstained Metal Fest will be a full success in this aspect as well.
