Heilung – April 23rd – Red Rocks Amphitheater

Photos by Tim Dwenger

Nestled in the majestic landscape of Morrison, Colorado, Red Rocks Amphitheater stands as a sacred space where music transcends mere entertainment and becomes an otherworldly experience. Despite the incredible variety of acts that have graced the stage over the years, from The Beatles to Phish to Wu Tang Clan, the arrival of Heilung unleashed an unparalleled spectacle under a luminous full moon. It was a mesmerizing, and at times overwhelming, performance—a convergence of ancient rituals, primal energy, and ethereal sounds.

Arriving at the venue, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation as I marveled at the diversity of souls drawn to Heilung’s magnetic energy. Metalheads clad in leather jackets stood shoulder-to-shoulder with neo-pagans adorned in elaborate runes and furs, a striking fusion of diverse subcultures mingled harmoniously, underscoring the unifying power of music.

As the event began, it became evident that this was no ordinary concert; it was a sacred invocation, a communion with nature. The stage resembled an ancient shamanic circle adorned with antlers, bones, and flickering torches and the performers were both primal and otherworldly. Maria Franz, Kai Uwe Faust, and Christopher Juul worked with a variety of other dancers and performers to create a visual spectacle that unfolded as a dance between light and shadow, fire and mist against a tapestry of primal rhythms that beckoned us to reconnect with our essence, echoing the symbiotic relationship between humanity and the natural world across cultures and epochs.

Drawing from an arsenal of ancient instruments reminiscent of the Iron Age, Heilung’s sonic landscape transported us through time and space. Kai Uwe Faust’s haunting vocals resonated with the mystique of Mongolian throat singing, while Maria Franz’s ethereal chants echoed Nordic traditions, intertwining diverse cultural threads into a mesmerizing sonic experience. Throughout the ritual, Heilung’s homage to nature and Norse mythology evoked a profound sense of reverence.

During “Fylgija Ear,” Maria’s voice soared, invoking ancestral spirits. The crowd was riveted, eyes fixed on the giant screens projecting close-ups of her face—each syllable etching runes into the collective consciousness. Kai Uwe’s primal growls during “Krigsgaldr” resonated with the earth itself, shaking Red Rocks to its core. And when Juul unleashed electronic beats, it was as if ancient and futuristic energies collided, birthing something wholly new.

Heilung’s music defies categorization. It’s not metal, folk, or ambient—it’s a primordial force. “Othan” echoed through the amphitheater, its tribal rhythms summoning forgotten gods. “Hamrer Hippyer” transported us to Viking longhouses, where warriors feasted and chanted. And during “Traust,” Maria’s voice became a bridge between realms, weaving together past and present. It was “Galgaldr,” performed under the moon’s watchful gaze, that left an indelible mark. As moonlight bathed us in silver luminescence, the lyrics—chants for healing and transformation—seemed to resonate with the celestial bodies above. We were not mere spectators; we were participants in an ancient rite, our breaths harmonizing with the universe.

As Heilung concluded their set, the full moon hung low, casting shadows on the monolithic rocks. The crowd erupted in thunderous applause, voices echoing off the stone walls. We had witnessed something beyond music—a communion with nature, with each other, and with the spirits that danced among us. Heilung had woven a spell, and we were forever changed. While this my first experience, I have read that Heilung’s performance is always awe-inspiring and as the echoes of their final notes faded into the night, I could not help but feel a stirring inside, this group had shown me something I didn’t know was possible at a “concert”. They had at once dazzled and terrified me with their performance. Heilung’s return to Red Rocks was nothing short of amazing but it is not the kind of thing that I’m sure I could handle experiencing on a regular basis. That said, I have immense respect for what they are able to create!

In the afterglow, as the moon ascended, I realized that Red Rocks had become a sacred grove—a place where time collapsed, and the veil between worlds grew thin. Heilung’s ritual was a reminder: We are stardust, bone, and breath, connected to the cosmos and to one another. Under that full moon, the faithful howled their gratitude for the experience that is Heilung.