METALHEADS!!! Are you ready for a dive into a night at Newport?? A night full of exploring the intergalactic unknown alongside fantasy powerhouses. An amazing concert, far and away the BEST I have ever been to. The three bands, Glyph, Gloryhammer, and Alestorm are all incredible musicians, and I swear I’m not glazing just to glaze. These three power metal bands expressed their own unique sound while keeping their fans on their toes with their unique aesthetic and aura.
For those who do not know much about them, I wanted to give you a quick idea of who they are and the kind of music they make. They are all lore centered bands: each of the members have their own personalities as well as on-stage personas they use to enhance their own songs and create something akin to a play.
Glyph focuses on a crew of mercenaries who escaped their dying planet of Volaria. Guided by their leader, Barbra Blackthorn, the band members travel the galaxy in their spaceship the VSS Dragonlord while blasting “Dragon-Crushing Intergalactic Powermetal”.
Gloryhammer is a widely beloved project created by Christopher Bowes. He weaves extensive, and I mean EXTENSIVE, lore based on a fantastical Scotland. It is over the top and silly, yet still serves as an intricate work of fiction. The concept albums are embedded within the story of Prince Angus McFife in the Kingdom of Fife. The evil sorcerer Zagorathx plagues the McFife lineage throughout multiverse stories told through multiple concept albums. The intricate fantasy plot is interwoven into a power metal sound—rich vocals that make you feel like you’re on an epic quest deep in a fantasy land.
Alestorm is a project also run by Christopher Bowes. Although very different in central concept, Bowes’ passion shines throughout the releases. Alestorm produces heavy metal pirate-esk sea shanties. While there’s no intergalactic, multiverse conflict between good and evil unfolding behind the lyrics, the songs themselves are energetic, silly, and ultimately an absolute blast to listen to. Now that you know a little about all 3 bands, it’s time to go into my concert review!
I arrived at the Newport gates a little before they opened. I was eagerly awaiting to see my favorite bands play for the first time, the anticipation that had led up to that Saturday finally at its peak. After meeting a few people in line, consisting of a group of men in full pirate garb and parents with their kids, the gates of heaven were unlocked and I was let in to Newport. I quickly found a spot on the rail within the hall itself and waited for the show to begin.
When Glyph came out, I was genuinely surprised by how much raw power they oozed. Honestly, prior to this concert, I haven’t heard much about them but their unique conceptual lore earned them a new fan. While being relatively a new band, each member showed an incredible sense of style and energy that enraptured me. They were a magnificent choice for opener and really set the scene for the rest for the night.
There was a surprisingly lengthy gap between Glyph’s and Gloryhammer’s set lists, but Newport made up for it in the silliest way imaginable. The stage crew brought out a cardboard cutout of the GOAT Tom Jones and played a few of his songs, like Delilah. The crowd erupted in applause, and everyone was singing along as loud as they possibly could. While I have no clue if this was a planned segment or if this was a “spur of the moment” idea, either way, this was a fun way to pass the time.
And, now for Gloryhammer! How I love and adore thee. After an excruciatingly long wait, one by one they appeared on stage. I am incredibly embarrassed by how loudly I screamed, it totally could’ve broken the sound barrier. When the band begun their performance it was almost like watching a play unfold. Each member of the band got the opportunity to have their own interlude in between songs, personalizing the set.
Prince Mcfife (aka the hero Sozos Michael) joked about going outside the day of the concert and watching an Ohio University fan slug an Ohio State fan outside. The Hoostman, an immortal barbarian played by James Cartwright, took the opportunity to preach love and respect while downing a particular beverage on stage. Zargothrax, an evil sorcerer played by none other than Christopher Bowes himself, embodied his own villainous persona—energy only growing as hundreds of boos rolled across the crowd. The set list-backed story really drew me in, enchanting me and the other fans though the amazing heavy-metal.
And lastly, Alestorm was up. I couldn’t wait any longer and slowly snaked my way through the crowd and into the pit. Watching the band’s giant inflatable rubber ducky slowly inflate while intertwined with the crowd, my anticipation reached heights I didn’t even know possible.
To tell the truth, after the initial song of Alestorms setlist, I quickly got lost in the most pit. I got thrown around like a ragdoll by people dressed as wizards, a pirate captain, and—most surprisingly—a unicorn. I have never had more fun. Above all else, I never felt like I was unsafe or in danger in any way. Everyone in the pit was incredibly conscious and they looked out for each other as they had the time of their lives.
Somehow, I eventually found myself at the very front and finally got a chance to breathe on the rail. As I looked out over the crowd of hundreds of people, I screamed my heart out like I was a roaring wave on the high seas.
I had the time of my life.
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