Our thanks to Armillus Photography for taking pictures for us!
With The Night Eternal & Midnight Prey
It was a near sell-out show at Sojus 7 in Monheim am Rhein. The modern venue struck the perfect balance between spacious and intimate, with a well-laid-out interior and a sound system that had the crowd as well as the bands offering genuine praise. The atmosphere was dialed in from the start: expectant, electric, and open to being spellbound.
Midnight Prey – Solid Start, Sleazy Spark
Opening the night was Hamburg’s Midnight Prey, whose gritty, no-frills rock’n’roll set the tone with confident ease. Their sleazy retro edge gave just enough spark to warm up the growing crowd. A solid performance that left the venue buzzing and ready for more.
The Night Eternal – A Band on Fire
Up next: Essen’s own The Night Eternal, who absolutely lit up the stage. The crowd responded enthusiastically, fists in the air, heads nodding, and many singing along. Their charismatic frontman delivered one of the strongest vocal sets of the night, with the band matching him in energy and precision. The Night Eternal could be a decent headliner themselves, but tonight at least they did a great job of warming up the crowd for Swedish occult rock legends Year of the Goat.
Year of the Goat – Heavier, Darker, Divine
This being the eight stop on their Europe tour, the band took the stage with confidence and fire. What stood out immediately was how much heavier and darker their sound became live. The guitars hit harder, vocals more piercing, and the ritualistic mood of the album took on a more primal edge.
Despite the absence of Elin Gårdfalk’s female vocals, Pope (keys/backing vocals) and frontman Thomas “Sabbathi” Eriksson stepped up to fill the space, delivering with conviction and emotion. Yes, something was missing — but only in context. The performance itself was powerful, full-bodied, and received with enthusiasm.
Standouts included a mesmerizing rendition of “Met Agwe”, which brought a ritualistic tension to the room, some tracks from the prvious albums like “Of Darkness” and “Avaritia”, and the new crowd-favorite “Alucarda,” which turned the venue into a full-throated singalong. By this point, Sojus 7 was completely under their spell.
Verdict: A Show to Remember
The setting, the sound, the set.. everything aligned. Sojus 7 proved to be a perfect stage for Year of the Goat’s mix of theatrical flair and occult-rooted rock. With each band delivering on their strengths, this night was more than just a tour stop: it felt like a celebration of darkness done right.
Don’t miss:
Our interview with Pope and Jonas backstage at Sojus 7 — where we talk tour chaos, the occult, and what’s next for the trilogy.
And our full review of Trivia Goddess, the album that set the tone for this unforgettable evening.
