The Metal Nordic Goddess Tour swept the East Coast with its second to last performance of the tour at the Williamsburg Music Hall in Brooklyn. The show certainly lived up to the tour’s name with stunning performances by the Norwegian solo instrumentalist Sylvaine and Faroese singer-songwriter Eivør. The evening was a vivid testament to the powerful draw of Nordic music, seamlessly blending ethereal and visceral elements to captivate an intensely diverse audience.
Sylviane graced the stage first, her presence alone commanding awe amongst the crowd. Known for weaving atmospheric soundscapes, Sylvaine’s music captivates with a voice that transcends the natural realm; ethereal seems an incomplete descriptor for the haunting beauty it possesses. Her ability to invoke deep emotion and stir the soul is unparalleled, echoing the beautiful landscapes of her Norwegian heritage. Sylvaine’s music often combines haunting vocals with multi-instrumental prowess, treating listeners to waves of melancholic beauty and introspective calm. Her live performance further accentuated with added layers of intensity and immersion, at one point performing a song with strong black metal roots, showing off her vocal range into an entirely new genre and dropping the jaws of everyone in attendance.
Following Sylvaine, headliner Eivør stepped onto the stage, and with her first note, it became immediately clear why her compositions have spread like wildlife and found their way into popular media such as ‘The Last Kingdom’ and ‘God of War’ franchises. Eivør’s performance transcended the studio recordings of her songs, elevating them to an entirely new plateau live, a rare achievement for many artists. Her unique sound is not only a product of her stunning vocal range, it is enriched by an extremely talented and intuitive band, as well as her use of electric guitar accents and the distinct resonance of her shamanic drum. The ability to merge these elements — often with acapella interludes that showcased her vocal strength — concocted a truly unforgettable auditory experience.
Eivør is a master at blending traditional Faroese elements with modern sonic textures, creating a distinct and evocative sound that resonates with both Viking enthusiasts and metal fans alike. Her live band accompaniment during the concert added a dynamic layer that transformed familiar songs into living, breathing entities, thrilling an audience with music as varied as it was captivated.
Setlist via setlist.fm):
Ein klóta
Jarðartrá
Hugsi bert um teg
Purpurhjarta
Let It Come
Skyscrapers
Trøllabundin
True Love (Extended Intro)
Enn
Upp Úr Øskuni
Hymn 49
Salt
Í Tokuni
Gullspunnin
Encore:
You Want It Darker (Leonard Cohen cover) (with Sylvaine)
Falling Free
Both artists performed in a way that not only highlighted their individual talents but also celebrated a combination of modern and more primal Nordic sounds and themes. The juxtaposition of Sylvaine’s haunting serenity with Eivør’s powerful, resonant tones created a holistic concert experience that was not just a feast for the ears, but an invocation of the spirit of the North. Indeed, the Metal Nordic Goddess Tour encapsulated the sentiment perfectly—
I cannot stress how important it is to see an artist like Eivør when she comes to your town next. I was always a fan of her studio work but hearing and seeing her live was an entirely different experience.
Buy Eivør music and merch here:
https://amzn.to/4koM684
Buy Sylvaine music and merch here:
https://amzn.to/4h3E29L
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY JAMIE SHERWOOD
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