The sold-out evening at the Zénith in Paris is preparing to welcome Heilung and Zeal And Ardor. In a La Villette park crowded with an eclectic population enjoying a few rays of sunshine, the excitement is obvious. Everyone is impatiently awaiting the performance of the Nordic pagan music group, now one of the most recognized in the world. But also – and I am one of them – for the first part, the geniuses of black and negro spiritual composite metal, Zeal And Ardor.
Text and photos by Tetralens (tetralens.com)
Zeal And Ardor: An explosive mix of genres
Under an ovation in front of a very dense audience in the pit, Manuel Gagneux and his group enter the stage and begin a suspended, strong, intense and poignant moment, with a perfectly balanced mix between their flagship titles and titles from their new album, Greifreleased in August 2024. The evening begins with The Bird, the Lion and the Wildkin.
No doubt, Zeal And Ardor knows how to get the crowd on board. Their playing is both polished and powerful, each musician having their place. From the first notes, the audience is transported into a world where gospel meets metal. The bold blend of impressive vocals and hard-hitting riffs captivates the audience, creating an atmosphere that is both dark and haunting.
The charisma of the frontman, Manuel Gagneux, establishes an immediate connection with the spectators, who sing along to the catchy choruses. Pieces such as Devil Is Fine et Caught You particularly resonate, testifying to the mastery and originality of the group. What can we say about the fervor that emerges on Twilight of the Gods or Death to the Holy ? A very fine performance, supported by impeccable sound reproduction.
Setlist de Zeal And Ardor :
- The Bird, the Lion and the Wildkin
- Twilight of the Gods
- Ship on Fire
- Tuskegee
- Blood in the River
- Kilonova
- To My Ilk
- Death to the Holy
- Sugarcoat
- Devil Is Fine
- Caught You
- Clawing Out
Heilung: An immersive and mystical experience
After an explosive first part, the Zénith prepares to welcome Heilung, a group which transcends the simple musical performance to offer a truly immersive experience. A ceremony.
As soon as they enter the stage, the band members captivate the audience with costumes inspired by traditional Nordic cultures in the broadest sense and traditional instruments. As always, the first phase is a kind of ritual, a shamanic litany in which the musicians communicate with each other, in (almost) silence respectful of the audience.
Then the performance begins with throat singing and tribal percussion on In Maidjanimmersing the public in the unique universe of Heilung, imbued with mysticism and an ancestral atmosphere.
Heilung doesn’t just play music; they create a living ritual, where each note and each movement is loaded with meaning. Visual projections and light shows add an extra dimension to this experience, transporting viewers on a journey through time and space. Pieces such as war sorcerer et With generosity resonate like incantations, inviting everyone to let themselves be carried away by the magic of music.
With varied and very elaborate paintings, based on the meaning of each title, Heilung once again captivates Paris with its mysterious magic. Highlights like Tenet or the very bewitching Trust are among the most memorable.
The evening ends with a standing ovation, testifying to the profound impact that these two groups have had on the public, just like during the previous concert at the Olympia at the end of 2022, which, due to its more intimate setting, perhaps suited them -be even better. The Zénith vibrated with collective energy, uniting fans in a celebration of music and culture, cultures from varied backgrounds that metal knows how to embrace and sublimate.
This concert certainly left its mark as a suspended and unique parenthesis, mixing two artistic universes where passion and creativity have brilliantly merged.
In short, this evening at the Zénith was much more than just a concert; it was a true celebration of art and emotion, leaving spectators eager to relive such an experience.
Healing setlist:
- Opening Ceremony
- In Maidjan
- Alfadhirhaiti
- Thing
- war sorcerer
- Minced shellfish
- Swan edge
- Tenet
- Trust
- What are you doing?
- Galgaldr
- The fire dance
- Hammering Hippies
- Closing Ceremony
About Tetralens
This article was written by Tetralens, who is also the owner of all the photos you saw above.
Tetralens is a photographer based in Paris. If you would like to chat with her about her work and/or collaborate with her, you will find all her information below!
TETRAlens brings together all the expressions of my photographic work, recent or dating back several years. I mainly present an extract of my live concert captures, mainly from the Metal and Rock scene, as well as a small overview of my other photographic subjects, such as landscapes, details and architecture. For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to capture through my lens what my eyes wanted to immortalize: the sharpness of a light, the strength of a moment, the softness of a look, the energy of a moment, those things that make the world more beautiful. Since a young age, this passion has followed me in my daily life or in my travels, my eyes constantly looking at nature, cities and people as a source of inspiration to nourish my artistic expression. The most emblematic channel being live music, events through which humans are a vector of the most positive vibrations.
Related News :