Written by:	Darkside Momo
Published:	July 15, 2019
Event:	Amon Amarth: European Summer Club Tour 2019
Location:	Le Bikini, Toulouse, France
Galleries:	FRA, Toulouse - Amon Amarth: European Summer Club Tour 2019 by Darkside Momo (20)

In between festival appearances, some bands do tour and play some shows here and there, just like Amon Amarth did in this still blisteringly hot first of July...

Yes, blisteringly hot. We were just at the end of the most extreme heat wave to hit Europe in June since forever (or so), so even with air conditioners blowing as much cold air as their could, the Bikini was an oven. And a packed one at that. I'm not sure if they did sold out or not, but there sure were more than a thousand metalheads ready for some Vikings onstage!


Deficiency




But first, Deficiency.

They're a French band who play some melodic / groove thrash metal, and who seem to be touring and playing a lot these days in the Hexagone. They sure were welcomed warmly; the crowd was already as hot as the venue and started moshing. For sure, the band did enjoy that and were happy to play - under minimal lights, truth be told - for such a reactive audience.

Music-wise, I must say that, while they have some really decent riffing, the clean vocals parts were quite cringeworthy, so I wasn't the only one to go outside to take a breath of somewhat fresher air (and a beer, of course).




Amon Amarth




What could I say about an Amon Amarth live show that hasn't been said already? I honestly don't know.

But it bears writing it again: Amon Amarth, live, are the shit. Their melodic death metal is designed to be played, and enjoyed, live; it's catchy, infectious, and absolutely fun. And I've never seen the band being bored or just going through the motions onstage; they're genuinely happy to play, particularly Johan Hegg who always enjoys interacting with the crowd. The setlist itself was classical, with mandatory new songs and timeless classics (heck, starting with "Pursuit Of Vikings" was a sure sign the show would be enjoyable as fuck), plus the oldie "Legend Of A Banished Man" to celebrate The Crusher's twentieth anniversary.

As far as stage props go, the setting was nice - two small stairs winding around a giant viking helmet supporting the drumkit - but maybe slightly less 'whoa' than two years ago. I also missed the inflatable Jormundgandr . However, performers were back, fighting (between "First Kill" and "The Way Of Vikings"), or raising banners (can't remember at which time). Always a nice addition, but the guys all clad in furs, armor and stuff must have had a rough time in this heat.

Back down in the pit, it was all about spontaneous walls of death, circle pits, crowdsurfers, and bodies drenched in sweat hurling themselves against the others in abandon. Yeah, your regular moshpit, but it was so damn hot the floor was slippery with sweat. As was everyone. Hell, I was so soaked at the end that all my clothes were wet as fuck, and there was absolutely no dry spot on me!

Seriously, a set lasting more than an hour and half in such hot conditions is no mere feat, so kudos to the band, and even more to the performers with their costumes!

tl,dr: as always, Amon Amarth proved they're one hell of a great live band!




Setlist:
1. "Pursuit Of Vikings"
2. "Deceiver Of The Gods"
3. "First Kill"
4. "The Way Of Vikings"
5. "Asator"
6. "Cry Of The Black Birds"
7. "Fafner's Gold"
8. "Crack The Sky"
9. "As Loke Falls"
10. "Legend Of A Banished Man"
11. "War Of The Gods"
12. "Death In Fire"
13. "Shield Wall"
14. "Raven's Flight"
15. "Guardians Of Asgaard"
16. "Raise Your Horns"
17. "Twilight Of The Thunder God"




Once again, many thanks to Antoine for the accreditation! Cheers to Stéphanie, Etienne, Moose, and everyone!