cyHra, Kreator, and Sabaton Play Music Hall Minneapolis

Last updated on March 1st, 2018 at 05:00 pm

A few weeks ago I was asked if I wanted to cover the cyHra show at Music Hall Minneapolis and I quickly snapped up the assignment. The truth is: I had no idea who they were. Pronounced “SIGH-ra,” they are a self described “supergroup,” made up of members of several Swedish metal bands; In Flames, Amaranthe, Shining, Rhapsody, and Annihilator. I also learned while doing my homework, cyRha was the opening act for Kreator and Sabaton. Hell Yes!

CyHra opened with a short but high energy set. A smart crowd showed that they they knew the band well, singing the choruses every song. Their only album together, Letters to Myself, was released just a months ago in October. The members clearly enjoyed working together, the sound was polished, and the fans were into it. What more could a new band ask for?

Kreator was next, arriving from behind a giant cloud of smoke. The venerable German thrash-metalers proved to be crowd controlling rockers, encouraging louder responses and bigger mosh pits throughout the set. Most of the songs are dark, as speed metal normally is.

“Satan is Real” from their most recent studio album Gods of Violence was chanted loud and strong. The best spot of the set was when singer led the crowd in shouting “It’s time to raise the FLAG OF HATE!” while waving a giant Kreator flag on stage, a throwback to the band’s first album in 1986.

The headliner, Sabaton, came out with their signature camo pants, mic stands that look like battlefield crosses, and crowd chanting “SA-BA-TON! SA- BA-TON!” Named for the armored boots worn by medieval knights, Sabaton’s forte is war metal; songs tell testosterone-filled stories of battle and war.

The music felt heavily influenced by Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and Manowar. And the crowd knew EVERY SONG! Holy dedicated fanbases, Batman, this crowd loved Sabaton. Singer Joakin Broden told they crowd several times how much they love to play in Minneapolis. I definitely cannot wait to see them again.

I told my teenage son that I heard a band he would love, and showed him a few pictures of Sabaton. He said dismissively “I know who they are,” like it was old news, and started singing ‘Shiroyama.’ Damn, I’m getting old.