Last month, I took a trip to Copenhagen for the first time, and it quickly became one of my favourite cities – what an incredible place! While there, I decided to check out what shows were happening in the area, and to my surprise, Cirith Ungol and Night Demon were performing! I’m a big fan of Night Demon and have had the pleasure of covering them before here at The NWOTHM, but Cirith Ungol, despite their legendary status in the scene, was a band I hadn’t really explored much.

There performance was happening at cool little venue called Gimle located in Roskilde which is about half an hour by train from central Copenhagen! We of course explored the area a bit before heading to the venue and also got a few drinks in pre show.

Night Demon

This circular venue, resembling a tank, was packed to the brim, creating an intense vibe that set the stage for an unforgettable night. The band’s backdrop glowed a striking green with the Night Demon logo, instantly drawing the audience in.

The show kicked off with “Outsiders,” immediately revving up the crowd. The fast-paced “Screams in the Night” followed, featuring a furious double-kick drumming that sent shockwaves through the packed room. The energy was palpable as fists pumped and bodies swayed. “Escape,” the third track, encouraged massive crowd participation with its heartfelt choruses, illuminated by warm orange lighting that added to the song’s emotional weight.

The band continued to impress with “Dawn Rider,” which opened with a lively drum solo before launching into an explosive performance. Despite being a trio, they filled the stage with sound, showcasing impressive solos and head-banging moments.

The show took a momentary pause for an interlude of rain and thunder, setting the stage for the slower, yet powerful “Howling Man.” This track seamlessly transitioned back into head-banging territory, with blue lights flooding the stage. The slower “Beyond the Grave” followed, filled with passion and intricate playing, complemented by big, pounding toms and a dynamic electric solo.

Next up was “The Wrath,” another slower song that emphasised the band’s emotional depth. Although some in the crowd remained more subdued, the energy picked up dramatically in the song’s second half, igniting movement across the venue. A beautiful interlude of pre-recorded harmonies preceded “Welcome to the Night,” a short but frenetic track that had the crowd going wild, with energy surging throughout.

Things took a surreal turn as the band introduced “The Chalice.” A robed figure with glowing red eyes appeared on stage, setting an eerie tone before the music erupted into heavy, rumbling riffs. The night culminated with “Night Demon,” where the band truly connected with the crowd, charging to the front of the stage and delivering a powerful, unforgettable performance.

Overall, the their performance was a whirlwind of energy and emotion, showcasing Night Demon’s ability to captivate and engage, proving once again that they are a force to be reckoned with in the metal scene.

Cirith Ungol

Next up was Cirith Ungol and from my understanding this was their last European tour so I was lucky to at least get a glimpse of what they are all about. So when they came on I was initially surprised by two of Night Demon filling in on guitar an bass while the singer and drummer were the only members left performing.

Nwothm is so diverse in terms of style and sound and when they started playing It took me a while to get a sense of what they were about. Admittedly I had only heard some of their music online so everything was to be a surprise for me. But either way, the room was absolutely rammed for the band so I presumed that their music certainly resonated with a lot of people.

They kicked things of with the mighty “Atom Smasher “which ripped the crowd apart with its rough and tearing sounds getting the crowd nicely engaged! Then soon enough we got some nice lead and acoustic guitar work with the electric “I’m Alive.” Certainly filled a big load of feelings and emotions.

The big and ballsy sounds of “Sailor on the Seas of Fate” soon enough got the crowd going with its big pounding toms and walking guitar patterns. It was a hungry and thirsty song almost if it was out for blood. A sense of unease ran through its veins so certainly interesting!

I do not usually put a sour note on things but i felt the drums weren’t super tight and the vocal style was not for me. But these guys have been around for a while and were certainly a blend of heavy metal which I feel resonates more with oldskool heavy metal fans. And while I love classic heavy metal Cirith Ungol were not something that simply struck a chord.

I stuck around for a few more songs which included the fiery Blood & Iron which was a bit more up my alley from its pacing and quick picking guitar work. The lads of Night Demon who were filling in bass and guitar duties for me gave the performance certainly more energy which was a performance. Then there was “Chaos Descends” which once again played on a mostly slower pace for part of the song before picking things up and what lead guitar work it that is for sure!

While the band had a number of songs left I just was not feeling Cirith Ungol and so we left a bit earlier than expected. For me the night was all about Night Demon, which was a band I had been wanting to see for ages and they certainly put on an awesome show. Considering they are a three piece they clearly know how to get the energy going and make a room come alive. I will certainly try and catch them on their UK run in 2025 with Queensrÿche!

And as mentioned it was the first time seeing Cirith Ungol and while I had high hopes I can safely say they they just simply did not impress me. For me they were nothing special and while they had some good songs I would have no desire to see them again if they were ever to perform again the future. I know loads of people love them which I respect but just not for me!