Finnish power metal band Battle Beast stopped by a sold-out Trädgår’n in Gothenburg on their European tour alongside Dominum and Majestica.
Riding the momentum of their latest album Steelbound, the Helsinki sextet delivered a show that balanced melody, nostalgia, and stage charisma — a night that left both longtime fans and newcomers thoroughly entertained.
From Helsinki with Horns: Battle Beast Roars in Gothenburg
The Gothenburg date was part of the Battle Beast’s extensive European tour, with Germany’s Dominum and Sweden’s Majestica joining as support acts.
The band showcased new material from Steelbound as well as fan favourites from their back catalogue, making for a dynamic and memorable performance.
Six Members, Seven Albums, Two Horns
Formed in 2008 and fronted by Noora Louhimo since 2012, Battle Beast has spent over a decade refining a sound that blends metal, synth elements and theatrical flair.
The large six-piece band consists of Noora Louhimo (vocals), Joona Björkroth (lead guitar), Juuso Soinio (rhythm guitar), Eero Sipilä (bass, backing vocals), Janne Björkroth (keytar, backing vocals), and Pyry Vikki (drums).
Their seventh and latest album, Steelbound, hit the shelves in autumn 2025, and formed the backbone of the evening in Göteborg, Sweden.
A Nostalgic Return to Trädgår’n
For me, the concert was a return to a familiar setting, bringing back memories of seeing Edguy at the same venue years ago. While those shows in 2009 and 2011 weren’t the last time I visited Trädgår’n, they were part of the era when I followed power metal most closely.
After a long break from the venue — only recently broken when I photographed Smash Into Pieces the week before — the nostalgia hit even stronger this time, as Battle Beast reminded me even more of the shows I attended so many years ago.
Melodic Tracks with an ’80s Echo
Battle Beast’s performance highlighted what has made the band accessible to many listeners over the years: clear melodies, strong hooks, and a direct, upbeat delivery. The setlist leaned heavily on Steelbound, and the new material worked seamlessly live.
Among more straightforward power-metal tracks such as “Last Goodbye” and “Blood of Heroes”, they also played the cabaret-tinged “Twilight Cabaret”, which added variety without breaking the flow of the show.
The group often nods to the 1980s in both sound and arrangement, something especially noticeable in “Angel of Midnight”, an AOR-styled track that immediately brought the Swedish band Nestor to my mind.
Alongside the new songs, established favourites like “Eden”, “King for a Day”, “Master of Illusion”, and “Wings of Light” provided a link back to earlier phases of the band’s career.
Overall, it was an easy concert to enjoy — even for someone not fully versed in their catalogue. Keep reading for a full setlist further down!
The Battle of Gothenburg: Clash of the Concerts
There is no doubt that Battle Beast is a popular band — they played to a completely sold-out Trädgår’n this evening. This is particularly impressive considering that Arch Enemy were performing at Partille Arena on the very same night, just a half-hour drive away.
Metal fans were faced with a tough choice between two major shows, a dilemma few cities can offer. Gothenburg once again proved why it is regarded as a true metal capital, capable of hosting multiple high-profile events in one night without either losing its audience.
Light-Hearted Moments Between Songs
One of the most charming parts of the evening came when Noora was spontaneously wished a happy birthday by the crowd. She laughed and corrected them: she had turned 37 just the day before, making the moment all the more personal.
Later, bassist Eero Sipilä grabbed the mic while Noora took a breather backstage. With a thick Finnish accent, he attempted to read the Swedish lyrics of Elton John’s “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”: “Känn en doft av kärleken”. He admitted that he hadn’t learned Swedish in school, which understandably made it a challenge. Janne Björkroth’s playful piano interjections from the side only made the situation even more comedic.
The moment gradually turned into a collective singalong of the familiar Lion King theme. The whole venue lit up as an ocean of phones swayed to the song, creating a warm and spontaneous connection between the band and the crowd — a genuinely lovely sight.
Final Verdict: A Roaring Success
Battle Beast’s visit to Gothenburg was a well-executed and engaging show, driven by strong new material and a confident performance from the entire band. The mix of seriousness, humour and musical precision made for an enjoyable evening — and for my part, a welcome return to both the venue and a genre I once followed more closely.
The European tour will stretch into December. After the European dates, Battle Beast will embark on The Far East & Down Under Tour in early 2026, visiting Japan and then Australia, with the latter marking the band’s first-ever shows in the country.
Setlist
Finally, check out the full setlist of the show in Gothenburg below!
- The Long Road
- Straight to the Heart
- Master of Illusion
- Last Goodbye
- Here We Are
- No More Hollywood Endings
- Eye of the Storm
- Blood of Heroes
- Känn en doft av kärleken (Elton John cover of “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” with Swedish lyrics)
- Where Angels Fear to Fly
- Watch the Sky Fall
- Twilight Cabaret
- Bastard Son of Odin
- Angel of Midnight
- Steelbound
- Eden
Encore:
- The Long Road
- King for a Day
- Wings of Light
Behind the Lens: Photographing the Beast
A charming detail of the evening was that, as an accredited photographer, I received a Battle Beast sticker to wear instead of a standard press badge — a small keepsake to remember the show. I really liked that personal touch.
As for the actual photography, this was my second time shooting professionally at Trädgår’n, and after the previous week’s Smash Into Pieces concert, I already knew that the view from the photo pit is unusually tight. My 28–75 mm lens often felt limiting there, even at its widest end, so for Battle Beast I brought along a 20 mm prime — which turned out to be exactly what the situation required.
With the 70–180 mm telephoto zoom also at hand, I juggled the three lenses across my two camera bodies in the pit. It took a bit of coordination, but practising during the support acts paid off — and the wider angle made a noticeable difference, making the hassle well worth it.
Special Thanks
Thanks to the band and organiser FKP Scorpio for the photography opportunity, and to the Trädgår’n staff for their friendly assistance. Photos from supporting acts Dominum and Majestica will be coming as well.
This show was shot with
Camera Bodies
- Sony a7 IIIMidrange, telephoto shots
- Sony a7R IIWideangle shots
Camera Lenses
- Viltrox 20mm f2.8Wideangle Prime
- Tamron 28-75mm f2.8Midrange Zoom
- Tamron 70-180mm f2.8Telephoto Zoom
Concert Photo Gallery
