Copenhagen’s winter chill didn’t stand a chance against the inferno that erupted inside Amager Bio on January 16, 2024. Three bands—Bloodred Hourglass, Pain, and the much-anticipated The Halo Effect—delivered a night that felt less like a concert and more like a baptism by fire. Metalheads gathered in droves, braving icy winds for the promise of melodic carnage, and trust me, the night did not disappoint.

Let’s dissect this night of sonic devastation, one blistering set at a time.

Live concert scene inspired by The Halo Effect, Pain, and Bloodred Hourglass performing in Copenhagen with intense red and blue stage lighting.

Bloodred Hourglass: Melodic Fury to Start the Night

The Finnish melodic death metal outfit Bloodred Hourglass opened the show, and right from the first riff, it was evident they weren’t here to warm up the crowd gently—they were here to obliterate.

The Setlist and Highlights

Their set leaned heavily on tracks from their 2021 album, Your Highness, with an emphasis on the melodic but aggressive edge that defines their sound. Songs like “Drag Me the Rain” and “Veritas” turned the venue into a storm of headbanging and fist-pumping. The clarity of the guitars combined with the pounding rhythm section brought their music to life in ways studio recordings often can’t.

The pit action kicked off early—Copenhagen’s crowd didn’t need much convincing to throw themselves into the chaos. Vocalist Jarkko Koukonen roared with an intensity that made you believe every word he screamed, connecting with the audience in a visceral way. Between tracks, he bantered about the cold Danish weather, but his performance was anything but icy.

Verdict on Bloodred Hourglass

As openers, Bloodred Hourglass set the bar dangerously high. Their precision, energy, and engagement ensured that even those unfamiliar with their music walked away as fans.


Pain: Peter Tägtgren’s Industrial Circus of Chaos

Peter Tägtgren and his industrial-metal brainchild Pain took the stage next, bringing a completely different flavor to the night. If Bloodred Hourglass was the sharp, searing blade, Pain was the bombastic sledgehammer smashing into your senses.

Theatrics, Energy, and That Signature Tägtgren Touch

Pain is a band that thrives on theatrics. The combination of industrial beats, heavy riffs, and Tägtgren’s commanding stage presence turned Amager Bio into an electrified madhouse. Kicking off with the iconic “Shut Your Mouth”, the band wasted no time getting the crowd fully invested. By the time they launched into “Same Old Song”, the energy levels in the room were off the charts.

The lighting and visuals played a huge part in their set. Strobe lights pulsed in time with the relentless beats, making the entire room feel like a giant, headbanging machine. The sound was a little rough around the edges—especially during “Zombie Slam”—but let’s be honest, that rawness added to the experience.

Tägtgren: The Metal Ringmaster

Tägtgren’s charisma is unmatched. Between songs, he joked with the crowd, even teasing Copenhageners about their lack of snow compared to his native Sweden. He thrives in that balance between chaos and control, and the crowd fed off his energy like wolves at a feast.

Pain’s Impact

Pain’s set was pure entertainment, with enough punch to shake even the most hardened metalhead to their core. If industrial metal is your thing, this was nothing short of euphoric.


The Halo Effect: Swedish Mastery of Melodic Death Metal

After two incredible sets, the crowd was ravenous for The Halo Effect, a band already legendary despite their relatively short time together. Featuring former members of In Flames, this Swedish melodic death metal collective has been making waves, and their live show proved why they deserve every ounce of the hype.

A Setlist Built for Destruction

Opening with “Days of the Lost”, the title track from their 2022 debut album, The Halo Effect wasted no time setting the tone. Their sound was impeccable, every note and riff polished to perfection but still brimming with the raw emotion that melodic death metal thrives on.

Tracks like “Shadowminds” and “In Broken Trust” showcased their ability to merge melancholic melodies with crushing heaviness, creating a dynamic soundscape that enveloped the audience. The mid-set performance of “Gateways” was a personal highlight, with its haunting intro building into a tidal wave of sound.

Stage Presence and Crowd Interaction

Frontman Mikael Stanne is a master at commanding a crowd. His transitions between clean vocals and guttural growls were flawless, and his banter between songs was warm yet intense. He spoke about the band’s history, their gratitude for the fans, and how Copenhagen has always been a special place for them to perform.

The crowd response was thunderous. Every breakdown triggered a pit, every soaring chorus drew fists into the air, and every moment felt like a celebration of what makes melodic death metal so enduring.

Closing the Night in Triumph

The band closed their set with “Feel What I Believe”, and as the final notes rang out, the energy in the room was palpable. No one wanted the night to end. For a brief moment, we were united, lost in the music, and it was nothing short of magic.


Final Thoughts on the Night

January 16, 2024, will go down as one of those unforgettable nights for Copenhagen’s metal scene. Each band brought something unique to the stage, and together, they created a lineup that showcased the diversity and power of modern metal.

  • Bloodred Hourglass delivered precision and ferocity.
  • Pain brought industrial chaos and infectious energy.
  • The Halo Effect reminded us why melodic death metal will never die.

From the opening riffs to the final notes, Amager Bio was alive with metal’s primal energy. If you weren’t there, you missed out on one of the best gigs of 2024—so far. But don’t worry; there’s plenty more chaos to come.


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