Mar 223 min read

Gloryhammer brings their, The Red, White, and Hoots tour to Denver’s Oriental Theater March 18th, 2024

Updated: Apr 4

This past Monday night I made my way to the Oriental Theater excited that I was approved to cover this show.

Opening the show this evening was a local Denver band called Skoldvagg with their Folk/Power Metal sound that fit right into this night's sound. The band came out waving at the crowd encouraging them to yell and holler which energized the crowd and set the tone for the night to come. Though a short set, they poured out their music from their ep, Maiden Voyage and the crowd showed their appreciation for a fun set of music.

Sköldvägg are:

Kevin Merz - Drums

Adam Andrepont - Guitars

Elle Ray - Violin

Matthew Siefker - Vocals

A short turnover and the stage was set for the Swedish power metalers Twilight Force. One by one each member came on stage, jumped up on riser egging the now cheering crowd for more. Dressed in outfits from medieval times they started their set with, “Dawn of the Dragonstar” from their 2019 album of the same name. The energy flowed from the stage and the crowd returned the same.

Their interaction with each other and the crowd only took the energy level higher. The powerful voice of Alessandro Conti (Allyon) rang out through the venue with songs, “Dragonborn”, “Flight of the Sapphire Dragon” and “At the Heart of Wintervale”. This was my first time seeing Twilight Force and I can’t wait to see them again. Their costumes, stage presence and their energy they pour into their music is something to experience live. See them!

Twilight are:

Philip Lindh (Lynd) – lead guitar, backing vocals, acoustic guitar, lute

Daniel Beckman (Blackwald) – keyboards, backing vocals, piano, violin, cembalo

Dunder Björn Lundqvist (Born) – bass, backing vocals

Jocke Leandro Johansson (Aerendir) – rhythm guitar, backing vocals

Alessandro Conti (Allyon) – lead vocals

Isak Olsson (De'Azsh) – drums, percussion

Setlist:

Dawn of the Dragonstar

Twilight Force

Dragonborn

Thundersword

Flight of the Sapphire Dragon

Sunlight Knight

Again a quick turnover and the crowd was fired up from the previous bands. The lights flickered and the crowd let out cheer followed by, Hoots,Hoots, Hoots and a tape started. As the tape finished Gloryhammer entered the stage one by one and the crowd was chanting even louder, Hoots, Hoots. Gloryhammer started the night off with, “Holy Flaming Hammer of Unholy Cosmic Frost” from their 2023 album, Return to the Kingdom of Fife. Their on stage presence was Immense! Then Sozos Michael (Angus McFife) announced in a loud and enthusiastic voice, we will now take you to, “The Land of Unicorns”. The venue rocked from the roar and cheering from their fans and the crowd sang along with the song as they would with others throughout the night.

A strange creature came out carrying a large hammer and he and Angus wrestled with it and took the hammer away, chasing the creature off the stage. Turning to the crowd, he raised the hammer to the cheers of everyone. As Gloryhammer moved through their set of music with, “Wasteland Warrior Hoots Patrol”, “Sword Lord of the Goblin Horde” the crowd sang with them and cheered with Hoots. The energy in the venue was something to feel and watching the crowd reacting to the music was energizing in itself.

Gloryhammer finished their amazing set with “Hootsforce” and “The Unicorn Invasion of Dundee”. Gloryhammer said goodnight to the cheers and hoots from their fans.

This was my first time seeing Gloryhammer and I am very grateful for having the opportunity to cover their show. Can’t wait to do it again.

Gloryhammer are:

Christopher Bowes (Zargothrax) – keyboards, backing vocals

Ben Turk (Ralathor) – drums

Paul Templing (Ser Proletius) – guitars, backing vocals

James Cartwright (The Hootsman) – bass, backing vocals

Michael Barber (Zargothrax) – keyboards

Sozos Michael (Angus McFife) – lead vocals

Setlist:

Delilah @Tape @Cover

Incoming Transmission @Tape

Holy Flaming Hammer of Unholy Cosmic Frost