Echoes of the past: ancient traditions that still shape us today with Heilung – report of their show in Zurich 21.03

On the first day of Spring, we travelled to Zurich to witness Heilung‘s ritual, to be held at the Hallenstadion in that very city. The opener was supposed to be Eivør, but due to illness, she was forced to step out of the performance. Luckily, Sylvaine saved the day and performed in her stead, so here is our report of the evening by Deborah! A huge thank you to Sebastien of Season of Mist for hosting us!

Sylvaine

It’s not easy to replace an icon like Eivør is, but Sylvaine is not a beginner when it comes to performing. She was absolutely at the top of her shape, and filled the occasion with poise, like only a professional would have. She enchanted the Zurich crowd with her delicate voice and ambient soundscapes, explaining that she was grateful to be added to this sensational evening even with a short notice. A sense of serene reverence pervaded the room as her music, which had roots in post-metal and ambient elements, exuded an ethereal beauty. Sylvaine‘s set evoked a comparable level of emotional intensity by fusing strength and fragility in a way that felt both transcendent and intimate. She was gracefully accompanying some of her tracks with guitars, and some she sang instead on instrumental tracks. It’s almost impossible to describe the atmosphere that she was able to deliver. It is something that everyone needs to experience once in their lifetime!

Heilung

The clock striked 20:40 at the Hallenstadion for Heilung‘s performance, and we were ready like never before. This was more like visiting a ceremonial area lost in time than going to a concert. The scene was set for a night full of mystery as the stage was turned into a hallowed and foggy space decorated with furs, bones, plants and primitive instruments. Everyone was drawn into an immersive, ritualistic experience as Heilung created an atmosphere where the line between artist and audience vanished, starting with the first loud drumbeat and continuing with the eerie chanting that reverberated throughout the gathering. People everywhere participated actively at the performance, headbanging, dancing, singing and screaming because after all, this is something that you don’t get to experience very often! Many in the audience were astounded by the chemistry and the passion that Heilung‘s members shared. They were all synchronized perfectly during the chants, the primitive rhythms, and the energy were reminiscent of contemporary concert experiences but had far ancient roots. Heilung‘s ritual was a powerful reminder that some echoes of the past are not just still heard—they are profoundly felt in a world where tradition frequently feels lost in the din of technology. From known songs like “Anoana” and “Norupo“, to lost gems like “Nikkal“, the setlist was varied, but unfortunately lacked “Krigsgaldr”, one of their most iconic tracks. Nevertheless, we are still very sad that this fantastic project is going on hiatus. We are definitely going to miss them!