The dark, crisp Gothenburg winter night on January 24th, 2025, set the scene for an evening loaded with anticipation and sonic devastation. When you’re in the dead of winter, craving something fierce to shake the frost off, there’s nothing quite like the raw power of a live metal show to get the blood flowing. And tonight, the lineup wasn’t just good—it was designed to shred. Swiss folk metal giants Eluveitie were co-headlining with the Swiss symphonic masters Ad Infinitum, a pairing that promised a ferocious mix of melodic, folk, and dark symphonic metal to those braving the chill to gather in Pustervik.
Eluveitie and Ad Infinitum Live in Pustervik Gothenburg
Pustervik itself, with its cozy yet somehow industrial vibe, was ready to hold a near-capacity crowd of black-clad fans, and it was clear everyone was here to escape the cold in the best way possible: a night of thrashing and headbanging in one of Gothenburg’s most iconic venues.
Ad Infinitum Takes the Stage: A Gothic Symphony Unleashed
The night kicked off with Ad Infinitum, who came out swinging right from the start. This is a band that’s on the rise, carving a niche for themselves within the symphonic metal scene, and tonight was no exception. Vocalist Melissa Bonny captivated the crowd immediately, her stage presence as fierce as her powerful voice. She’s one of those vocalists who can wrap you around her little finger with a look, and every person in that audience was on her wavelength by the first verse.
Opening with tracks from their recent album, the band blasted through a set that was atmospheric and commanding, giving a hauntingly theatrical edge to the night. The sound was rich and dark, with the guitar work weaving into Bonny’s vocals like a perfectly orchestrated spell. Her voice moves with that eerie, almost cinematic quality that makes Ad Infinitum unique in the genre. The crowd was mesmerized; even the roughest guys in the room had their eyes glued to the stage, lost in the sonic landscape she created.
The standout track of the set was undeniably “Unstoppable.” The title felt fitting because by the time they launched into it, Ad Infinitum was absolutely unstoppable. The deep, rumbling bass, the thundering drums, and Melissa’s fierce growls and haunting clean vocals took the audience on a journey from darkness to defiance. You could feel the raw, unapologetic energy pulsing through the crowd, with everyone in the pit screaming along like they’d been rehearsing for this moment for years.
Bonny’s vocal range and power were on full display, and the setlist seemed crafted to showcase her versatility, from delicate, haunting melodies to raw, almost brutal growls that echoed through Pustervik like a call to battle. Each member of the band gave a flawless performance, feeding off the energy from the Gothenburg crowd. This is what symphonic metal is supposed to feel like: grand, immersive, and just a bit terrifying.
Eluveitie: Folk Metal Legends Return to Gothenburg
After the powerful performance from Ad Infinitum, the crowd was buzzing with anticipation for Eluveitie. These guys are practically metal royalty at this point, known for their fusion of ancient folk sounds with blistering metal riffs. When they finally took the stage, it was as if the entire room collectively braced themselves for what was about to unfold. Chrigel Glanzmann and his band of Swiss folk warriors knew exactly what the crowd came for, and they were more than prepared to deliver.
Opening with the thunderous “Ategnatos,” they wasted no time reminding everyone why Eluveitie has stayed at the top of the folk metal scene for years. The song’s powerful riff broke through the air like a battle cry, and the pit came alive instantly. Fists pumped, heads banged, and the whole crowd was chanting along as if they’d been possessed. This was raw, primal energy—the kind you can only find at a live metal show where every soul in the room is connected by the music.
Eluveitie’s lineup has seen its fair share of changes over the years, but Glanzmann has kept the soul of the band intact. Tonight, the mix of traditional instruments with distorted guitars created a soundscape that was both ancient and brutal, carrying the crowd from one song to the next like a relentless wave. It’s almost surreal to see folk instruments—flutes, hurdy-gurdy, bagpipes—blended so seamlessly with blast beats and growling vocals. This isn’t your grandmother’s folk music; this is folk metal at its most intense and unapologetic.
The setlist was a good balance of classic Eluveitie tracks and newer hits. “Inis Mona,” as expected, brought the house down. There’s something about that song that resonates with every kind of metalhead, and it showed tonight as the entire venue shouted the lyrics back at the band. There’s an undeniable magic when Eluveitie plays this track live. The hurdy-gurdy cut through the wall of sound, creating a moment that felt almost transcendental, like the crowd was taking part in some ancient ritual. It’s that sort of primal vibe that keeps fans coming back show after show.
Another standout was “The Call of the Mountains,” a song that somehow felt even more powerful in this live setting. Anna Murphy’s vocals soared, and the atmosphere in Pustervik transformed into something that felt more like a gathering of clans than a concert. Fans from all walks of life joined together, united by the power of folk metal that was intense, melodic, and soul-piercing.
The Crowd: Gothenburg’s Metalheads Bring the Fire
Gothenburg has a reputation for its metal scene, and tonight proved why. There’s something unique about Swedish metal crowds; they’re dedicated, unapologetically passionate, and fully invested in every riff, every scream, and every thundering beat. The mosh pit was alive and well tonight, with fans throwing themselves into the fray with reckless abandon. There were no pretenses, no people standing still, and no one too “cool” to jump into the chaos.
Both Eluveitie and Ad Infinitum had the crowd in the palms of their hands, and you could tell they were feeding off the audience’s energy as much as the audience was feeding off them. At times, the crowd was singing louder than the bands themselves, their voices echoing through Pustervik in a chilling, almost eerie way. This is the kind of unity that only metal can bring—strangers turning into allies in the heat of a concert, with nothing but the music binding them together.
Final Thoughts: Eluveitie and Ad Infinitum Live in Pustervik Gothenburg
When the lights finally came up and the echoes of the last encore faded into the night, the crowd slowly spilled out of Pustervik, each person looking like they’d just been through a war—a war they’d happily fight again. Ad Infinitum and Eluveitie delivered two different, but equally epic, performances that showcased why metal remains such an enduring and unbreakable genre. Ad Infinitum brought the gothic, haunting melodies, while Eluveitie unleashed the primal fury of folk metal. Together, they created a night that anyone in that audience won’t soon forget.
For those who might still be wondering if Eluveitie and Ad Infinitum live in Pustervik Gothenburg is worth it, the answer is simple: you’ve missed out on an unforgettable night if you weren’t there. A show like this isn’t just entertainment; it’s a full-blown experience, a baptism into the deeper realms of metal that leaves you wanting more.
As we left Pustervik and stepped into the icy Gothenburg air, there was a sense of shared satisfaction, a bond only a brutal, immersive metal show can create. If you’re lucky enough to catch either of these bands live, do it. Shows like these don’t happen every day, and when they do, you better believe they’ll be seared into your memory.
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