LIVE FROM THE PIT: Nordic Giants, Aaronson and False Hope For The Savage

On the opening night of their Under Celestial Alignments tour, NORDIC GIANTS arrived at Clwb Ifor Bach in Cardiff to a strong crowd turnout and an expectant room. From the start, this felt like something more than just a live show — closer to a cinematic experience than a traditional gig.

Opening the evening, FALSE HOPE FOR THE SAVAGE set the tone early with an energetic and melodic performance. Driven by strong, punchy drums and expansive soundscapes, their set pulled the crowd in quickly, with the room already filling up as they played. There was a steady sense of build throughout, leading into a final track that felt both intense and uplifting. The lighting worked particularly well here, adding to the atmosphere rather than overpowering it, and helping to ease the audience into the night ahead.

AARONSON followed, bringing a noticeable shift in mood. Their set opened with a long, atmospheric intro paired with flashing lights, creating a more introspective and almost dreamy tone. Where the first support leaned into energy, AARONSON offered something softer and more immersive. Their sound felt warm and optimistic, with moments that invited the crowd to really sink into it. Between songs, they spoke to the audience, which added a more personal touch. That said, the overall set leaned quite heavily into its calmness — at times feeling a little too gentle for a second support slot, but still easy to get lost in.

By the time NORDIC GIANTS took to the stage, the room had settled into a kind of quiet anticipation. A curtain hid the stage before they began, adding to the sense of mystery. When it finally parted, the duo appeared in their detailed, Nordic-inspired masks — immediately striking, and unlike anything else on the bill.

What followed felt less like a set and more like a fully thought-out audiovisual piece. Each track blended into the next as if it were part of a wider story, with cinematic projections playing behind them throughout. Some of these visuals included narration, which helped guide the meaning without feeling too on-the-nose. Everything felt deliberate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEEoH07E8Xg

Musically, the set constantly shifted between tension and release. Heavier, more intense sections would build and swell before dropping into quieter, more reflective moments. That contrast kept things engaging without ever feeling overwhelming. The use of smoke and lighting added another layer, creating silhouettes against the screen and giving the whole performance a slightly surreal edge.

One of the most striking parts of the night was the crowd itself. There was no dancing, no pushing — just stillness. People stood and watched, completely absorbed. It felt collective, almost meditative at times. Some moments leaned into something softer, almost romantic, while others carried a heavier emotional weight.

There was also an underlying sense of reflection running through the set. Through both sound and visuals, NORDIC GIANTS touched on themes that felt relevant to the current state of the world, without ever being overly direct. It left space to interpret things in your own way, which made the experience feel more personal.

As the set came to an end, rolling credits appeared on screen — a small but perfect detail that tied everything together. It reinforced the idea that this wasn’t just a gig, but something closer to a film being performed live.

NORDIC GIANTS don’t just perform music — they build an atmosphere and let you sit inside it. And for an hour or so, nothing else really matters.

Words and photos: Klaudia Skalska