A Heilung live experience isn't so much attending a concert as it is witnessing a living, breathing pagan ritual.
Those fortunate enough to catch the collective on their Australian tour were taken on a journey through time, one that extended far beyond the beautiful art-deco confines of Melbourne's Palais Theatre (6 November).The evening was a captivating blend of ancient mysticism, primal energy and joyous celebration, rooted in the traditions of Nordic and Germanic culture.
The night opened with Eivør, an artist hailing from the Faroe Islands, whose enchanting voice and magnetic stage presence set the tone for what was to come. Eivør's fusion of traditional Nordic folk and contemporary soundscapes felt both fresh and familiar, as past and present collided in a captivating display.
The interplay of electronic textures and acoustic tones, driven by her ethereal voice and accompanied by delay-drenched guitar, created a rich, immersive sound. With a three-piece band in tow, Eivør's performance was a mesmerising start to the night.
Heilung - image © Sacha Lauder
Heilung's performance was preceded by a smoking ceremony, led by First Nations representatives Benny Clark and his cousin Brent Watkins, who played the didgeridoo and performed a traditional dance that quickly had the audience clapping and cheering.
The duo acknowledged the unceded Boonwurrung/ Bunurong land on which the performance was taking place, and lauded Heilung's commitment to amplifying the voices and honouring the cultures of First Nations peoples worldwide.
As the stage filled with smoke and incense, the distant call of birdsong echoed through the venue, and vocalist Kai Uwe Faust began a smudging ceremony with drummer Chaka Schipper.
Heilung - image © Sacha Lauder
The scale of the performance to follow was awe-inspiring: while Heilung's core line-up comprises Faust, Maria Franz and Christopher Juul, the trio were joined by around 15 additional performers throughout the evening.
Dressed as warriors and shamanic figures in authentic Nordic garb and body paint, the performers brought the ancient ritual to life with traditional instruments like rattles and Sámi drums, while others contributed otherworldly vocal harmonies and chanting.
The stage itself was decorated with eucalyptus branches (a nod to the local landscape) while the microphone stands were adorned with antlers, feathers and furs. A glowing red moon at the back of the stage doubled as a drum for some songs, and was illuminated by golden runes at other times.
Heilung - image © Sacha Lauder
Heilung's performance transcended language: the story unfolded through music, movement and emotion. From a menacing war chant to a playful interaction between lovers, to a haunting and powerful sacrifice scene, there was emotional clarity in every note, every gesture, all propelled by the relentless, heartbeat-like rhythm of the drums.
At points, the music became sparse and intimate, with the female vocalists weaving beautiful yet dissonant harmonies, punctuated by the ever-present, hypnotic drumbeat. The sounds evoked a profound sense of connection to the past, yet felt undeniably relevant to the present.
Faust's guttural throat singing served as the grounding force throughout the performance, its deep resonance vibrating through the very bones of the Palais.
Heilung - image © Sacha Lauder
Franz's vocal delivery was nothing short of commanding, fluctuating seamlessly between haunting croons, piercing shrieks and primal howls. Both donning striking antler headdresses, the duo had the audience transfixed.
Meanwhile, multi-instrumentalist Juul, looking like a veritable Viking, crafted evocative soundscapes from his station of synthesisers, keys and percussion, while adding weight to Faust's vocals with rich backing vocals and loops.
The lighting was phenomenal and enhanced the surreal, transcendental atmosphere of the performance. During one sequence, the stage was bathed in an otherworldly purple light as the warriors seemed to engage in an ancient hunt, while at other times, the deafening thud of the drums was underscored by frenetic white strobe lights.
The energy onstage was infectious. By the final song, the audience couldn't stay seated, rising to join the performers in an euphoric, joyous dance, clapping and grinning in shared celebration. Several moments throughout the night saw audience members howling like wolves, as if partaking in the ritual themselves.
Heilung - image © Sacha Lauder
The night concluded with a closing ceremony that brought a sense of calm and balance back to the space. All the performers gathered in a circle as Faust and Schipper lit the incense once more and brushed each member down with a bouquet of leaves.
As the group took their final bow, they were met with a second standing ovation, and the sense of magic continued to linger in the air as the performers left the stage.
The evening was a true testament to the transformative power of music and culture – an unforgettable feast for the senses. If you ever have the chance to experience Heilung live, don't miss it. There's truly nothing like it.
More photos from the concert.
