Myötätuulirock (MTR) was first organized in 1997 as a small local event. To date, it has grown to a considerable summer event in the Finnish festival calendar. This year MTR was organized in the Hakunila sports park in the city of Vantaa as a three days event for the first time. And it had a strongest metal emphasis ever with a bill including a long list of domestic bands plus two Swedish one, and the U.S. thrash legends Exodus as the dressing on the cake. Nevertheless, and despite the relatively easy and fast access to Helsinki, this semi-urban festival has maintained its small and intimate atmosphere. The one and only stage, quite a large one in fact, means that every band has the chance of getting the attention of the whole public, but also results in somewhat too long waiting times over the gear changes and consequently in quite long days given the still rather small amount of performers. Anyhow, the small and compact “stadium” works as a nice venue in which food and merchandise booths, toilets and other services work nicely. But why were there no festival T-shirts available?
On Friday, Doom Unit had the honor of opening the fest, unfortunately playing their basic and slightly colorless set at the front of a still very small audience. The crowd did not become very big in the evening either, perhaps a couple of thousand people populated the field. Weather was not necessarily bad, in Finnish standard, but quite cool, and Exodus was not popular enough to appeal bigger masses. In fact, the peak in the number of visitors was probably reached during the Tarot gig. Blake was second on the row, not offering any considerable impact either. During Viikate, who followed, the crowd already started to show some signs of life, partly because of the heightening alcohol levels, but also due to the quite well-humored and relaxed performance of this public favorite. The song material, however, fails to keep up the intensity, and the powerless singing of Kaarle does not help either. The Kuopio troopers Tarot, in turn, was familiarly assertive. The bass sound of Marco Hietala was really heavy, particularly if felt close to the subwoofers. If only the band would include some songs from their early catalogue instead of a number of duller pieces from the recent Gravity of Light album. Well, the Punishment was a positive surprise. Ensiferum seemed to have perhaps the most visible fan representation in Hakunila, but did not create any effect in this head. Exodus, in turn, made a big impact. I have to shamelessly admit that I have never really listened to these old school thrashers, but after this gig I have to check their discography more closely. The band was tight and convincing – quite a paradigmatic showcase of orthodox Bay Area thrash on one hand, but functioning and compelling on the other. The impact was strengthened by the effective lights use in the already darkened summer evening.
Considering the long day ahead, I decided to skip The Milestones and Los Bastardos Finlandeses who opened the second day. But Kiuas was a band to check, definitely. At this time, already a considerably bigger amount of people than on Friday afternoon had appeared on the grass. In overall, Saturday probably doubled the visitor number of Friday. Perhaps even more metal fans would have travelled to Vantaa if the weather was not so horrible. The pouring rain that started at the start of Mokoma’s set, supported by gusty wind, really changed the conditions uncomfortable as the day proceeded. Kiuas and Diablo were lucky to play for the still dry audience, and good gigs did they perform too. Kiuas is a talented group. In specific, it is nice to follow the action of Mikko Salovaara (guitar) and Ilja Jalkanen (vocals). Diablo only performs two gigs in the summer while preparing their following album. Despite the long break, the band mastered the old songs in a routine way. But, as quite often in the Diablo case, the sounds were somewhat scruffy in overall and it is difficult to hear Rainer’s voice. It’s a pity that the nice moments of many songs do not properly materialize in a live setting. Mokoma, who set the sky in the rein mode, was very good. Certainly the best hour of the day, in addition to their Sakara comrades Stam1na later in the evening. The energetic and robust set included songs from a number of their albums. “Marras” naturally caused the most active movements in the audience. And the hand swinging of recently video-taped “Hei Hei Heinäkuu” also seem to work pretty well already in the early summer. And nice were the sounds as well. Korpiklaani was very visual, the hardening rain even served their show setting well. Nonetheless, despite their sheer expertise brought along by active touring, I don’t personally get the big idea behind their drinking songs. The happy mood was next reverted into anxiety by Swallow the Sun, one of the top metal bands from this country. However, the dark and moody music of STS does not really work in such a large festival setting in light conditions, despite the rain that may be a good visual supplement for them. The show appeared a bit lame in-between the cheering gangs of Korpiklaani and Stam1na who really got the crowd in motion. The lingering songs probably did not bring new fans for the band, while it was difficult to hear their nuances live due to very thin guitar sounds and practically unheard vocals. I saw the band perform in a Tuska festival two weeks later, in a small and dark tent with nice sounds and effective lights, and the experience was totally the opposite.
Stam1na, as already said, represented the top of the day. The Lemi troops were, I think, tighter and more intensive than in Sauna a week ago. It’s just fun to follow their set. The surprising cover version of “Puita Kaminaan” song showed a new interesting side of Hyrde’s singing abilities. A good extra treat! Then it was time to see what did the empty slot in the bill, supposed to be filled by mystical surprise act, actually mean. Well, it was Hevisaurus, a cute band in lizard costumes playing heavy metal for young children. Not my cup of tea exactly, but the creature gang had pyros and played really tight, certainly with a louder volume than in their “normal” gigs. And there was quite a large mosh pit circling the field, which was funny. Anyhow, a couple of songs was enough, and it was time to head home to dry and warm. I had to quit Turisas.
Sunday was the day of sunshine, finally, but also the quietest day in the venue. Reckless Love opened the day with a cheerful and quite amusing set of 80’s-inspired hair metal. No wonder the band has caused some buzz recently – the Kuopio group is rather charismatic on stage. Raaka-aine and Peer Günt followed with quite neutral performances. The first Swedish quests of the afternoon, Royal Republic, managed to get some movement in the crowd with their freshly rocking songs and energetic stage working. Suburban Tribe, in turn, was perhaps somewhat tamer than week ago in Tampere. Well, vocalist Ville Tuomi seemed to have lots of extra energy, seemingly after a few cups of fresh lemonade. The gig was also disturbed – or even colored, as so often happens – with some technical problems in both Janne’s bass and Euge’s guitar gears. In the already chilling evening, another bunch of Swedes offered some heating for the Hakunila people. Mustasch, with their usual intensity and dedication, put forth a very nicely rocking set. Ralf Gyllenhammar is a true entertainer who takes a notice of his audience and knows his rock poses and jargon. A kinker that came down to the front row after the gig to share sups from his whiskey bottle with the audience. And then finally, Amorphis sealed the Myötätuulirock 2010 with a great set. The band was seemingly the highlight of the day for the crowd as well. From the many Amo shows that I have recently witnessed, this one made one of the biggest impacts. One obvious reason was the great sounds: Now the guitars, Tomi’s voice and everything were well in balance, crisp and powerful. And as a unique curiosity, the setting sun momentarily created some nice visual effect s on the stage. A nice ending for the three days.
TMK
Myötätuulirock site: http://www.mtr.fi/
