The Great American Music Hall in San Francisco bore witness to a raucous night of folk metal revelry on March 14, 2025, as Korpiklaani, Ensiferum, and Trollfest took the stage for an unforgettable evening of blistering riffs, infectious melodies, and all-around madness. From the moment the doors opened, the air buzzed with anticipation, and by the time the first note rang out, the crowd was more than ready to embark on a whirlwind journey through folk-driven metal mayhem.
The Norwegian party metal maestros of Trollfest wasted no time in whipping the crowd into a frenzy. Dressed in their signature outlandish attire, they opened with the high-energy “Dance Like a Pink Flamingo”, immediately setting the tone for the night. The combination of wild saxophone solos, fast-paced drumming, and accordion-fueled melodies turned the venue into a madhouse.
As they transitioned into “Flamongous” and “Essenfest”, the audience bounced along, fueled by the band’s frantic energy. Their performance of “Ave Maria” (Charles Gounod cover) was a comedic yet surprisingly skillful rendition, giving a brief yet hilarious interlude before launching back into the chaos with “Twenty Miles an Hour” and “Kaptein Kaos”, both of which saw the crowd engaging in call-and-response chants.
One of the highlights of the night was “Piña Colada”, during which an impromptu conga line formed in the audience, winding its way around the venue as the band cheered them on. They rounded out their set with “Kjettaren mot strømmen”, the anthemic “All Drinks on Me”, and the fan-favorite “Helvetes hunden garm”, leaving the audience breathless, sweaty, and completely enthralled. Trollfest once again proved why they are one of the most entertaining live acts in folk metal.
Following Trollfest’s carnival of madness, Ensiferum took the stage with a more battle-hardened approach. Their set was a masterclass in melodic death-infused folk metal, kicking off with “Fatherland”, its soaring melodies and pounding rhythms igniting the crowd. “Twilight Tavern” followed, bringing a drunken singalong feel, while “Treacherous Gods” brought old-school fans into a frenzy with its intricate riffing and epic storytelling.
“Winter Storm Vigilantes” was a fierce reminder of the band’s ability to blend aggression with melody, leading into the anthemic “Lai Lai Hei”, which had the entire venue singing along to its iconic chorus. “The Howl” and “From Afar” kept the momentum going, with Pekka Montin’s clean vocals shining in the latter, adding an ethereal contrast to Petri Lindroos’ harsh growls.
The latter half of their setlist was an all-out battle, with “Andromeda” and “Leniret Coram, Tempestate” featuring blistering solos and intricate harmonies that showcased the band’s technical prowess. The crowd erupted into a sea of raised fists during “Victorious Wanderer” and the drinking anthem “Rum, Women, Victory”, setting up the explosive finale with “In My Sword I Trust”, which had everyone chanting along. The final song, “Two of Spades”, saw the venue transform into a chaotic battlefield of mosh pits and headbanging, ensuring that Ensiferum left an unforgettable mark on the night.
Headlining the night was the Finnish folk metal juggernaut Korpiklaani, who brought the house down with a setlist that was equal parts party and power. Opening with “Rankarumpu”, the band wasted no time launching into their signature folk-infused drinking anthems. “A Man With a Plan” followed, with its anthemic chorus and foot-stomping rhythm energizing the crowd.
The night truly took off with “Saunaan”, a lively song celebrating the Finnish sauna tradition, before the band launched into “Happy Little Boozer”, prompting beer mugs to be raised high. A standout moment came with “Ievan polkka”, a high-speed polka-metal rendition that had the entire venue bouncing in unison.
The middle of the set saw a mix of heavier tracks like “Rauta” and “Aita”, their galloping rhythms and folk instrumentation weaving together seamlessly. “Oraakkelit” and “Kalmisto” brought a darker atmosphere, showcasing the band’s ability to blend eerie melodies with their signature folk sound.
The set took a wild turn when they played their cover of “Gotta Go Home” (Boney M.), which turned into an unexpected yet joyful dance party. The momentum continued with a blistering performance of “Iron Fist” (Motörhead cover), a tribute to the rock legends that had even the most hardened metalheads nodding in approval.
As the night neared its end, the energy levels remained at an all-time high with “Viima” and “Metsämies”, leading into an electrifying drum solo from Samuli Mikkonen that left the crowd in awe. The party truly hit its peak with “Sahti”, before the band delivered their ultimate drinking song trifecta: “Tequila”, “Vodka”, and a frenzied finale that had everyone dancing, drinking, and celebrating the power of folk metal.
The night was a testament to the unbreakable bond between folk metal and its devoted fans. Trollfest brought the chaos, Ensiferum brought the battle, and Korpiklaani brought the celebration. Each band delivered a unique yet cohesive performance, making this an unforgettable night in the heart of San Francisco.
The combination of mosh pits, singalongs, and moments of pure joy made this one for the books. If this tour is rolling through your city, don’t miss it—you’ll laugh, headbang, and likely leave the venue hoarse and exhilarated. Skål!
Photos by Scott Martin Photography
Korpiklaani
Ensiferum
Trollfest
Source: www.antiheromagazine.com
