The City Of Brotherly Love, the motto is at odds with the Viking idiom, unless one's talking about the Flyers, circa '75. Philadelphia's proximity to the Big Apple allows it to host European acts, on their arrival, as well as just days from their departure, on these shores. The final night of the Vikings' latest tour (supported by TÝR and HOLY GRAIL) found them on South Street, at the Theater Of The Living Arts (TLA). Despite being a weeknight and less than stellar pre-show publicity (Hey, did anyone review this online?), it was a great crowd, more than half under-age, most of whom have adopted their own chant, "Johan's beard," like it's an entity of it's own! Regardless, on a sparse stage, a plumb of smoke and black-light (which made the current album's artwork backdrop look 3-D) heralded the Swedes, bassist Ted Lundstrom already shirtless. 'Valkyries Ride' was dedicated to "the ladies," who were few, but buxom. Aggro, from jump, the Swedes demonstrated a lot of circular headbanging. Green lights drown the stage for 'Dragons Flight Across The Waves'. A smoke filled stage, with yellow and orange lights, greeted the mid-tempo 'Guardians Of Asgard'. Teal, then purple lights welcomed the slower, 'Under The Northern Star', which eventually re-energized the crowd on the rapidly delivered 'Valhalla Awaits Me'.

Pretty much no frills (keeping with the Viking ethic), there was lots of smoke, the only effect afforded them. 'Death In Fire', a song which is pretty much on every CD/DVD, was sort of commendable for those that had stuck around, which was still pretty much everyone, at that point. 'Runes To My Memory' saw the chorus sung by the crowd, accompanied by onstage shades of OVERKILL green. With his constant clockwise circular headbanging motion, it's no wonder that frontman Johan Legg is in a different timezone. Either that, or the absence of his once omnipresent, belt[worn alehorn, has thrown him out-of whack! A two-song encore and the tour is over, promising to return "after a new record is recorded." Judging by the significant gathering, it will be well received and can't happen too soon.

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