Stadthalle Langen, October 1st, 2025
Four bands in one evening, each more different than the next. From progressive death metal through folk metal to atmospheric progressive metal and the pioneers of melodic death metal from Gothenburg. A lineup that seems daring on paper – but that’s exactly where its appeal lies.
IOTUNN – Progressive Soundscapes
The Danish band opens the evening. IOTUNN operate in terrain between progressive and death metal that demands patience from the audience. Their songs are complexly structured, shifting between aggressive passages and melodic sections that leave room to breathe.
Singer Jón Aldará masters both registers – from deep growls to clean vocals. The guitar work is multi-layered, the arrangements occasionally reminiscent of progressive rock influences. A song like „Waves Below“ demonstrates that this band doesn’t rely on quick effects, but on thoughtful compositions.
What’s interesting about IOTUNN: They take their time. Their music develops rather than laying everything on the table immediately. Those willing to engage with it will discover details that aren’t obvious on first listen. Live, it becomes particularly clear how precise the musicians‘ interplay is.
Stream IOTUNN on Spotify:
EQUILIBRIUM – Folk Metal Without Compromise
With Equilibrium, the mood changes completely. The band from Bavaria plays folk metal with high entertainment value. Synthesizers and classic metal riffs merge into a sound that invites audience participation.
Frontman René Berthiaume has the crowd in his grip. During songs like „Renegades,“ you can see people getting into it who might be experiencing the band live for the first time. The sound is big, sometimes excessive – but that’s exactly part of the concept.
Equilibrium make no secret of the fact that their music is made for live situations. It’s about energy, shared moments, the joy of excess. Anyone who appreciates folk elements in metal and isn’t shy of bombastic arrangements will find exactly what they’re looking for here.
Stream EQUILIBRIUM on Spotify:
SOEN – Atmosphere Over Volume
After Equilibrium’s high-energy performance, SOEN follow – and the contrast couldn’t be greater. The Swedish band plays progressive metal that focuses more on atmosphere than aggression.
Drummer Martin Lopez, known from his time with Opeth, delivers a rhythmic foundation that’s complex without pushing itself to the forefront. Singer Joel Ekelöf sings mostly clean vocals, his voice carrying the emotional weight of the songs.
What stands out about SOEN: The band dares to be quiet. They work with dynamics, building tension and releasing it in controlled fashion. Songs like „Lascivious“ show that heavy metal doesn’t always have to operate at maximum volume.
The audience responds with attention. SOEN aren’t a band you consume casually. Their music demands concentration – and in return offers an emotional depth that’s rare in the metal context.
Stream SOEN on Spotify:
DARK TRANQUILLITY – Melodic Death Metal Perfected
Dark Tranquillity close the evening. The band from Gothenburg belongs to the founding fathers of melodic death metal and, even after more than three decades, show why they count among the genre’s defining acts.
Frontman Mikael Stanne is an experienced stage performer. He knows how to guide an audience without seeming contrived. The guitar work is technically at the highest level – melodic leads meet hard riffs without one overshadowing the other.
The setlist mixes older and newer material. „Phantom Days“ from the album of the same name shows that the band hasn’t frozen in their own legacy. At the same time, a classic like „The Gallery“ can’t be missing – and it’s precisely during this song that you notice what Dark Tranquillity means to many in the audience.
What distinguishes the band: They play with a naturalness that only years on stage can bring. No song seems routine, yet everything is perfectly executed. This is craftsmanship combined with genuine passion.
Stream DARK TRANQUILLITY on Spotify:
Conclusion
Stadthalle Langen proves to be a good location for such events. The Ultim Ratio Fest demonstrates with this band selection how diverse the spectrum between death, progressive, and folk metal can be. If you only know one of these bands, you should try the other three – live shows most clearly what this music is all about.
Photos from the evening were taken by Martin Schmidt/Picture-Rebels.Com for music-rebels.com.
The live package featuring all four bands is still available in Germany until October 12th. The remaining dates are:
