It took six years, but the wait is finally over - Tragedy is back in Finland. The last time I saw this four-piece group from Portland was in a squat in Helsinki, where the masters of the intensive and heavy hardcore roused the audience into a complete frenzy and turned the gig room into a sauna. This time the temperature wasn’t quite as hot, but the level of intensity and aggressiveness was there.

Nonchalantly the group arrived on stage and began to play through the greatest tracks from their three long-playing albums. From time to time I found myself wondering if I’ve accidentally stumbled near some “greatest hits jukebox”, as their setlist contained a hit after a hit. Their playing was almost mechanically perfect, yet not artificially soulless. The group didn’t bother to hold long conversations with the audience inbetween the songs, as the songs were mostly performed in small continuous groups, which in turn increased the tension and intensity at the gig.

The group’s music is heavy but not metal, political and outspoken without being silly and captivating without being laden with singalong choruses. The musicians themselves are not young men anymore, but veterans scarred by life and a multitude of previous bands, whose songs have nothing overly inflated or pretentious.

After a small round of applauses the band returned for a few songs more, and it was time to think what had happened during the last roughly fourty minutes. There’s no denying this could have very well been one of the best gigs at this year’s Ilosaarirock.

Juha Ekholm