Live Review: Bucovina w/Finstnerforst, Firtan and Countless Skies at Camden Underworld!

Is it a little strange arriving at Camden Underworld at 17:00 in the afternoon on an unassuming Friday night in October when most gigs start at 19:00? Yes. But given the stature of the four bands playing tonight, there is a requirement to start early so they each get the maximum amount of stage time. Having been couped up on a single tour bus, sleeping in coffin sized bunks while travelling across Europe for the past few weeks, the 25 odd musicians plus managers and crew also deserve a few minutes to stretch their legs. Sharing a backline drum kit for the run has saved the bands the need for a bigger trailer as well as reduced the time needed to switch over between sets, something that is always a blessing.

Opening tonight are Melodic Death Metal Kings Countless Skies, [9/10] a band who survived Bloodstock Open Air Festival in 2019 and have continued to shine since. Unbelievably this tour marks their 10th Anniversary as a band, so a career spanning set is on the tarot cards. Each tune is laden with rich lead guitars from James Pratt, brutal bellowed harsh uncleans from Ross King and stunning cleans from bassist Phil Romeo. The rhythm section drives things forward in understated fashion but never taken for granted, drummer Nate Robshaw delivering a masterclass, the bands set best described as triumphant homecoming. From the majestic “Moon” through “Daybreak” to the grand finale that is “Tempest” the quartet are in their element, having had a career thus far that has been distinctly quality over quantity. It’s testament to just how good they are that there are so many people in the venue with the early start and literally all that is missing is something new to shine a light on the shape of things to come.

Continuing the celebrations on this tour, for  Germans Firtan [9/10] this is an album release run for “Ethos“, which appeared via AOP Records in September. Arguably what sets them apart from the Wolfpack is that they have in their armoury an electric violin performed by Klara Bachmair to add a somber touch and bolster their sound in place of lead guitars. Walking on stage encrusted in Corpse Paint, tonight also marks the five pieces first appearance in the United Kingdom. Their Melodic Black Metal creations are both intense and ferocious with cuts like “Nacht Verweil” (or “Night Dwelling“) and “Wermut hoch am Firmament” (or “Wormwood High In The Firmament“) creating dark atmospherics with the raw Black Metal of the 90’s scene cutting against the grain of somber melodic moments. The contrast of the two stylistic elements within the bands sound is what makes them a captivating watch, their stage presence second to none. Their violinist takes centre stage for a solo piece to finish the set in “Wenn sich mir einst alle Ringe schließen” (or “When all my rings close one day“), which is a stunning moment of sublime quality. No doubt that will be a mid set break for the band to towel down when they play summer Festivals.

Tonight is the last night of the tour for German Black Forest Metal act Finstnerforst [8/10] and bathed in blue light while surrounded in swirling dry ice, the lumber jack shirt wearing five piece play out a set that crosses many territories. Elements of Post, Black, Death and Folk Metal make up their sound with heavy riffing and an accordion giving them an edge. They specialise in longer cuts, last year’s EP “Jenseists” being one song split into 4 movements and 40 minutes long, the problem being that their performance lacks a little bit of theatricality to go with it. If they had a images on a screen behind the stage, pyrotechnics or a more expansive light show it would do wonders for their live show. A huge shout out to all the bands on this tour ends up with 25 odd musicians on the stage for the bands final cut with fans encouraged to row like Vikings heading into battle…

Tonight’s headliners Bucovina [9/10] are arguably Romania’s most prominent Pagan band, offering Folk laden Blackened Heavy Metal that everyone can enjoy. Formed in the millennium year they have remained fiercely independent and are testament to what can be achieved without label support with set highlights like “Spune tu, Vânt” (or “You Say, Wind“) surpassing a million streams on Spotify alone. Prior to that “Şoim în Văzduh” (or “Falcon in the Sky“) and “Tariile Vazduhului” (or “The Lands of the Air“) are majestic, the Viking warriors making sure their presence is felt. The audience chant their name between songs, raising fists and throwing hammers as each one plays out with the sense of Oktoberfest like joy filling the venue. Soul stirring and heartwarming, tonight’s show may have been a little eccentric and eclectic but variety is the spice of life and each of these bands are heroes in their own special way.