Photo courtesy of Dana Gorab

Hello there! I’m Jere from Heathen Hearts, and was asked to tell you about a show that has made me cry.

I have to tell you that I’ve probably never actually cried at a show, but this one was pretty special in all aspects of aggressive music and the metallic hardcore scene in Finland. To myself, as a young guitar-playing fan, this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience with all these bands I looked up to. And still do.

The year was 2014, and Impericon’s Never Say Die! tour was landing in Finland, into a legendary venue called Nosturi (gone but not forgotten) in Finland’s capital, Helsinki. The lineup was mental: Terror, Comeback Kid, Stick To Your Guns, Obey The Brave, More Than A Thousand, No Bragging Rights and Capsize. Terror, Comeback Kid and Obey The Brave had made an indelible impact on this young guitarist looking for his place in the world.

It was in mid-November, so the weather was getting quite chilly in Finland. My best friend and I were eagerly waiting for this day to come after buying the tickets. We were not sure if the event was sold out, but very close at least, and while we were freezing our asses off in the waiting line it was one of the most exciting moments of my life to wait for the doors to open as well as for my friend.

A couple of the first bands we watched from the bar, getting in the mood before the main acts. If I remember correctly, the running order was Obey the Brave, Comeback Kid, Stick To Your Guns and Terror, which all of them exploded the roof from its place in their own way. During those bands, the whole venue was a giant mosh pit/dance arena and you could really see that the whole small scene of metallic hardcore fans was there, sweating, dancing and just letting loose.

In Finland though, stage dives are/were not allowed, though some of us had the chance to do that behind security’s back. Very nice! It was an evening that I think anyone participating cannot forget. One of the best musical memories ever, it was a night of community and belonging. Good times.