Metal Church Triumphs at Skogsröjet and Wins New Fans

Before the first song started, the singer took the microphone and asked the crowd if they were ready for "old school metal." The roar that followed left no doubt about the answer, and shortly thereafter the band kicked off with full force.

For me personally, this was the first time I saw Metal Church live. I must also admit that I wasn’t particularly familiar with the band’s song catalog beforehand. But it didn’t take long before I was drawn into the concert. There’s a presence, drive, and joy of playing that quickly makes you forget you don’t actually know the material.

A large part of the experience was also the strong soundscape. The guitars sat perfectly in the mix, the drums had a wonderful punch, and the vocals cut through without overpowering anything. It was undoubtedly one of the best sound mixes I heard during the festival.

Between songs, the singer mentioned that Metal Church had recently released a new album and took the opportunity to remind the audience that the band is now celebrating 40 years. Four decades is noticeable in the interplay on stage—everything feels natural, tight, and confident without seeming routine.

At the very front by the barricade stood the most devoted fans. That’s where the headbanging happened, people sang along to the lyrics, and fists were raised high in the air. Further back, the audience was much calmer, with many just taking in the concert.

Among the audience there were also some younger metal fans sitting on their parents’ shoulders to see the stage. In the middle of one song, the singer noticed them with a cheerful "Hello little ones!", a little moment that showed he was paying attention to the whole audience—not just the most dedicated fans up front.

At another point, the singer shouted a warm "I love you!" to the crowd. The reply was instant as hands shot up into the air in front of the stage. Shortly thereafter, he wanted an even bigger response and urged the audience to give him more energy. This time, the crowd responded by starting to clap in rhythm, and for a moment, the energy level rose even higher.

Metal Church doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel—and that’s not the point anyway. This is classic American heavy metal performed with experience, heaviness, and genuine commitment. Even if you don’t know every song, it’s hard not to be swept up when the band gets going.

As the final notes approached, someone in the audience brought out a bottle of soap bubbles. During the closing song, the air in front of the stage filled with bubbles that floated slowly above the crowd. It was an unexpected yet truly beautiful contrast to the heavy guitar riffs and gave the concert an almost dreamlike feeling at the end.

For me, this turned out to be an unexpectedly strong debut. I came to the show with no real expectations and with little knowledge of the band’s music. However, I left the concert with a completely different impression of Metal Church. When I get home, their music will definitely find a place in my Spotify playlists—and that’s perhaps the best rating a first concert experience can get.