Sorry it has taken me almost a month to get this up! Thanks to Kassandra, who helped me out by sending me this photo of the setlist, I wrote all the songs down and began reviewing them one-by-one the day I got home from Atlanta.
So here is PART ONE of my set review. These are my opinions of all 18 songs performed at Falconer’s last live show, as viewed from the front row of the main floor -- where else would I have been?
If you read my introduction, you know that you have definitely come to the wrong place if you are expecting an unbiased review. Remember, this is a review written by one of the band’s and the singer’s biggest fans who has been dreaming of seeing them for years -- and it will be written as such. So you will want to go elsewhere for your unbiased opinions!
I also apologize in advance for my overuse of the word beautiful.
1. Halls and Chambers
An appropriate song to open with, since it is from their most recent album. But it wouldn’t have mattered which song they opened with. I, and the rest of the crowd, would have gone wild over any song considering how long most of us had waited to see them perform live, period. Halls and Chambers is a good enough song, but it hasn’t necessarily been a favorite until now. Now, it will always be the first song I heard them perform live, which gives it its own special quality.
2. A Quest for the Crown
I thought it was cool how they went straight from a song off of their most recent album, to a song off of their very first album. The band even made note of this on stage, with Mathias saying that they were going to give us a good selection of songs spanning their 16-year career. Which they definitely lived up to!
3. Locust Swarm
Back to the newest album again with this one. I don’t have a whole lot to say about this song. Definitely nothing negative, but nothing that makes it stand out that much, either. It was Falconer, and you can’t really go wrong with any Falconer song -- especially live!
4. Enter the Glade
A signature song and always a fan-favorite, of course this had to be included in the setlist, and the live version was just as good as the album version. My only complaint is that they didn’t do the extended outro (including that one last riff that sneaks up on you after moments of silence), which I always enjoy when I listen to the album version. The major thing that struck me about hearing this song live (and this might sound silly, but)… listening to the lyrics and seeing Mathias on the stage above me, I felt as though he were singing about himself -- not on purpose, of course, but listen to the lyrics and they seem to fit, beginning with the opening line -- “Listen to me, children, and I will fill your ears, with all the sweet things you love to hear.” How appropriate! And say whatever you want about Mathias’ stage presence (although he appeared to be enjoying the music more in recent performances than in older videos), but with that godlike voice of his, we all know that he owns our souls whenever he’s on the stage. “Kneel in front of the man who was sent by God!”
5. Catch the Shadows
YASSS. Out of the 12 songs included in their setlists at Wacken and Falun, this was the one I was most excited to see live. Mathias introduced it as one of his absolute favorite songs, and it’s one of mine, too. It might not have quite made it into my top 10 songs, but the bridges that feature only Mathias’ voice and a piano (“As the sun descends in the sky…”) are some of my favorite moments in any of Falconer’s songs, and the only part of this entire set that I actually filmed. I could listen to these parts over and over. Beautiful! I only wish the piano had been included in the live performance -- that’s the only thing that could have made it better!
6. Upon the Grave of Guilt
From Catch the Shadows, the band went straight into this track, almost as if they weren’t two separate songs. I would have appreciated a moment to catch my breath in between, a moment to appreciate the previous song and cheer and scream before the next one began. Regardless, this is a great song and always a fan-favorite, whether it’s live or on the album, so it didn’t take me long to get into the Grave of Guilt spirit.
7. The Past Still Lives On
I recently included this on my list of Falconer songs I feel are underrated, so I was quite pleasantly surprised that they chose to play this one. I thought I was the only person who truly appreciated this song, so it was nice to be proven wrong. Mathias’ prologue to this song stated that the band wanted to do some different/unexpected things (I am paraphrasing, as I don’t remember the exact words used) to commemorate this being their final show. This was the first of the unexpected tracks they played, but there would be more to come. My favorite part of their performance of this song was the intro -- it sounded really cool live, with a lot of emphasis on the drums, and the whole crowd clapping to the drumbeat, almost mimicking the two-beat pattern of a heartbeat. Maybe it took someone in the medical field to make that connection -- I’m sure the band didn’t even do it on purpose -- it isn’t as noticeable on the album version because it’s more bass than drums -- but it almost seemed to have a subliminal message: music is life. It also, in a way, mirrors the lyrics, which speak of history and people of the past “living on.”
8. Age of Runes
This is my favorite track from Black Moon Rising, so I’m glad it was one of the ones chosen for the setlist. It is definitely one of the most headbangingest (yes, that’s a word now) tracks in their discography, and therefore the song I had the most fun head banging to live. LOVE that opening riff.
9. Wings of Serenity (acoustic)
The trio of acoustic songs thrown into the middle of their set was something I don’t think anyone in the crowd was expecting, and I think a lot of the diehard fans really lost their minds over it, especially those who love Mathias’ voice as much as I do. The trio began with Wings of Serenity, which was recorded in acoustic form for the recent re-release of their self-titled album. I truly consider this to be one of the most beautiful moments of live music I have ever experienced. This is another song that has always been a fan favorite, and while the acoustic version on the album was beautiful, the a capella chorus near the end was even more stunning live with an entire crowd singing along. To me, live music shouldn’t be just entertainment, it should be a spiritual experience. Falconer and its sea of fans totally nailed that with this song. As you can see in the video I embedded (filmed by Kenji Kobayashi), the crowd waits silently until after Mathias has finished the first chorus, and then goes wild with cheers and applause. You can see the look of satisfaction and joy on Mathias’ face, and then it seems his voice becomes even more gorgeous for the second verse, as he sings with more passion and conviction.
10. Long Gone By (acoustic)
YAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSSS. This has always been one of my favorite songs (not quite making it into the top 10, but it probably would have been #12 or 13 if the list had gone on longer -- right behind Catch the Shadows or Ridom, Ridom). I was NOT expecting them to do this live. It was introduced as one of their most requested songs, so clearly I am not the only one who loves it, but it still shocked me. My friend Karin, standing right next to me in the front row, was almost in tears. The fact that they performed this song was such an unexpected, but incredible surprise!
11. Portals of Light (acoustic)
Another very unexpected and awesome surprise to finish up their acoustic set. There isn’t much to say about this performance, other than it was lovely and a fantastic treat for diehard fans who have waited ages to hear songs like this performed live and/or acoustic.
12. Svarta Ankan
From the acoustic trio, the band went straight into the Swedish trio. I actually prefer the English version of this song to the Swedish one, but both versions are great, and it’s always nice to hear Mathias sing in his native language.
13. Himmel Sa Trind
WHOOHOO! This song was not played at Wacken or Falun. I was hoping they would add it for ProgPower and was SO GLAD they did. I recently listed this as #5 on my list of favorite Falconer songs. It is actually the only one of my top 10 that did get played live, except for the obvious Grave of Guilt and Clarion Call. I love this song so much, and loved getting to hear it live at last.
14. Vargaskall
My only complaint here is that they don’t include the intro (“Ah-ahh… ah-ahh…”) OR the outro (an a cappella version of the chorus with changed-up lyrics). That really surprised me, since the final chorus, or epilogue, if you will, is pretty important to the story of the song as I understand it. It’s also a really beautiful ending, and in my opinion, the best part of the song, so I don’t understand why they didn’t include it. I love it when metal bands include a cappella verses or chorus in their live sets, especially when they have a singer as good as Mathias.
15. Royal Galley
Not a lot about this one really stood out, but it was definitely a crowd-pleaser. The vocalizations after each line of the chorus were particularly fun for the fans to sing along with. However, this is another song where I wish they’d done the extended outro, instead of cutting it off. A good 25 seconds were cut off the end, and while I realize it was just the same short riff played over and over, I think the crowd would have gone wild for hearing the entire outro played live. Or maybe that’s just me.
16. Northwind
Great song, great performance. Nothing special to add. After this song, the band said goodnight and did their faux exodus, which wasn’t fooling ANYONE, but did lead the crowd to begin yet another rousing chorus of “FAL-CON-ER! FAL-CON-ER!” for the third or fourth time of the evening. These chants throughout the night were actually some of my favorite moments, and you could tell how touched the band members were by the crowd’s enthusiasm, and the sheer volume of our voices inside the arena as we chanted their name.
17. Mindtraveller
After a few minutes of the crowd’s chanting, Mathias returned to the stage and asked, “Are you missing something?” After all, every diehard fan in the venue knew that the band wouldn’t possibly end their set without performing the next two songs. After the rest of the musicians returned to the stage, band leader and songwriter Stefan Weinerhall took the mic for the first time that night. Stating that, 15 years ago, he had been unsure if Falconer would even get a contract, as the songs he wrote were unconventional for heavy metal -- especially after choosing Mathias as a vocalist. Stefan’s emotions, as well as those of the rest of the band, were obvious as he thanked the crowd, noting how incredible it was to be on a stage in the United States with so many adoring fans after being so unsure of the band’s future 15 years ago. He then asked the crowd to sing the guitar riff from the very first Falconer song he ever wrote. Everyone already knew what it was; you could even hear a few people shout out its title. He played the first few notes of Mindtraveller, and then the crowd took over, singing the entire intro. Mathias encouraged everyone to clap their hands in the air. Another beautiful moment of unity among Falconites. Mindtraveller has never been my personal favorite of Falconer’s songs; in fact, I used to not like it very much. It was after seeing a video of it performed live (I believe in 2007) that I began to like it. Seeing it live in person reminded me of that, and was definitely a great experience.
18. The Clarion Call
My favorite thing about this performance was how excited guitarist Jimmy Hedlund was, jumping and dancing around the stage as it began. Standing really close to Jimmy, it was great to see that his enthusiasm was so strong, throughout their entire set, but especially when this song was introduced (you can also see it well on the video below, filmed by Anthony DeCristantis).The same excitement Jimmy showed was palpable among the crowd as well, as what is arguably the band’s most popular song was performed. And then at the end of the song, as Mathias blew kisses to the crowd, picks and sticks were tossed out, and the band took its final bow, the sea of Falconites once again erupted into a chant of “FAL-CON-ER! FAL-CON-ER!” My only complaint about their performance of this song is that it was their last one. Despite being 18 songs and close to two hours in length, it went by much too fast. I don’t think anyone wanted it to end. I know I didn’t.
Next time on the Falconer/ProgPower review series: A broader, overall look at the performance, and a list of songs I wish they had played.
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