She can be reached at DC.in.Detroit [at] gmail.com
Korpiklaani
18 September 2012
Harpos, Detroit
I like to make things. You know that about me, right? A good concert will give me not only motivation to make something wearable, but often a theme as well. For Korpiklaani — "Wilderness Clan" — I needed a good pair of horns. But for Harpos, I wanted something they'd let me in with. No deadly-antlered weapons.
I got to spend all day Tuesday at home experimenting with felt and faux fur. Sometimes life is tough, eh? The result was adorable. That's appropriate for metal shows, right? Adorableness?
My fuzz-covered workspace. |
It had been a few years since my last trip to Harpos — the bands that play there don't tend to be the kinds of bands I want to see. One of my workmates turned me on to Korpiklaani a couple of years ago, though, and I'd been excited about seeing them from the first time I heard them. With MCB's Punitor riding shotgun, we rolled out with the sun still shining and parked the tank right on Harpos, steps from the front door. Good for parking, but maybe not so good for the expected crowd.
Even though I remembered the metal detector at the door, I just stomped right into the lobby. Security dude laughed at it bleeping and said, "Yeah, sure, just plow right through there —" then got serious "— or, uh, give me your metal stuff and do it again." Derp. He had a job to do, but like I said, we were a bit adorable to be taken as a threat. See, I go through the trouble of making a furry-horn-hat and Punitor? She just shows up in one. I walked up to the ticket window to claim my press credentials, and was greeted, "Are you here to take me to Valhalla?"
I winked and responded, "We'll talk after the show."
MCB's Punitor. Would you let this woman in without searching her? |
Naturally, first stop was the bar. The one bar that was open that night, with the one staffer. All night.
"We'll have a couple Jager and Red Bulls."
"We don't have any Red Bull."
Looking up at the two massive Monster energy drink ads behind the bar, I try, "Jager and Monster then."
"We don't have any Jager."
"How do you not have any— okay, two vodka tonics."
We got vodka and soda. At least they had vodka. (And apparently one brand of beer. Most house parties are better-stocked. Shit MY house is currently better-stocked.)
*crickets* |
We had a couple of minutes to chat before the second opener came out. Oh boy, guitars and drums. And a shirtless Scandinavian. (I approve of that part.) That would be Tyr, and I don't have much to say about them. They seemed, you know, serviceable, and the metal-heads liked them. Let the hair-helicoptering commence!
Moonsorrow (more guitars and drums) were the last thing between us and Korpiklaani, and my experience of this band was completely ruined by said former coworker pointing out the kerning problems on their banner. Oh NOW how am I going to be able to take them seriously!
Man, you could drive a truck through that kern. |
Typical tinmen. |
Finally, it was folk-metal time.
This is everyone. I don't mind a light crowd, I just hope it means they won't skip Detroit next time. |
Best view I could get of squeezebox and fiddle. |
Claiming, as I have, repeatedly, that I'm not a metal fan, let me tell you why Korpiklaani is so great. Yes, they holler and growl, but the singer still is recognizably in tune. Yes, they shred on their instruments, but those include an accordion and a fiddle. It's happy, dancy, celebratory music, that hasn't once pissed me off or offended me. Bands of this calibre prove that you can still rock your face off without being shot through with so much poisonous anger. (Granted, I don't understand a good portion of the lyrics, but I'm happy remaining under the assumption that none of it is about gory deaths or screwing bitches.)
Punitor offers, "I can best describe the event as 'joyful.' The band brings you back to your roots and inspires a child-like sense of playfulness and camaraderie. Or maybe it was the vodka. Or the 'happy little boozer' mantra took hold subliminally."
Or maybe not so subliminally.
Yeah, vodka.