Metal isn’t accessible, it’s difficult to stage, and people won’t get it. Those were some of the comments floating around after AWS won Hungary’s national selection. Well doubters be gone! The Hungarian five-piece delivered one of the most complete rehearsals we’ve seen thus far. From the explosion of fire to the variety of camera shots, this is sealed, signed, delivered and ready to go.
Lead singer Ors — barefoot, per his preference — manages to make screaming sound like singing. He does so with passion and abandon, all informed by the story’s very personal narrative: coming to terms with the death of his father. When he shouts “goodbye” at the climax of the song he literally runs around the entire stage — around the main circular orbit, but also up and over the bridge. Is it a matter of moving from this life to another? From one stage of grief to the next? It’s open to interpretation. What’s more clear is that the song manages to pull on heart strings the moment you know the backstory.
The staging is at once simple but highly effective. They aren’t just using flames. They’re using flames. Their fire shoots high into the air and out of plumes and around every inch of the stage. The camera cleverly pans in on the drummer — and his gym-honed arms — adding a bit of eye candy. One shot that needs work is the moment when the guitarist falls backwards into a crowd surf. As it currently stands the camera is missing him.
To quote a Hungarian Eurovision fan, this isn’t a dark horse — it’s a rainbow-bright unicorn that is galloping straight into the final and will challenge for the Top 10 and maybe more. It’s loud, aggressive and somehow beautiful.
AWS — “Viszlát nyár”: Reviews and Reactions
Hungary: First rehearsal at Eurovision 2018
Hungary: First press conference 2018
Read all of our Eurovision rehearsal reviews
Read all of our Hungary Eurovision news here
Photo & Footage: Courtesy of EBU (Thomas Hanses)
Honestly, every time he sings afterwards I’m like “Is his voice ok by now?”. It’s so hard to sing like that I think. The performance was amazing! Full of energy, pyros, intense lights! Outstanding!
Actually I find his voice pretty average compared to some singers from the genre, but ok, let’s see if he will improve.. Song is very good tho
Scream fest
They have the televoting on lock.
Reminds me “Suus”.
I honestly can’t see this not qualifying. I can see it coming top 10 easily in a contest where I don’t see a clear winner apart from Israel (and the changing odds reflect that).
I think a very different outsider could do well, just like Origo last year which I think surprised a lot of people.
Ha ha, I voted for Origo and that surprised me a lot! I first saw him in the final and, pack, I put a vote ( or more) on him!
A performance full of power and pyro effects. Great energy and great vocals.
This is not my cup of tea and I don’t like the song but I appreciate what they have done here. Well done.
This song is the favourite of the Albanian singer Eugent Bushpepa ..He had mentioned it in an interview ..but i dont like this kind music very much but anyway ..i wish good luck
Wow. There are better songs of that genree, but it’s good that this one eventualy appears at ESC. You can always count on Finland or Hungary if it is about hard stuff on Eurovision 🙂
I love and still listen to Softengine’s music (Finland 2014)
Terrible song. It is only shouting nothing else.
One of the best this year. Excited to watch the whole performance.
Yes! It is honest, it is so emotional, palpable rhythm, a story and everything . Bo open and let yourself into it and recognize the qualities it has. They were my favourite entry from SF2 before this and now I am so excited that they might end up top 5 in the Grand Final or even a Dark Horse to win?! There are more lovers of that kind of music than you suspect. They have been working together as musicians for 10 years now – and I love when it is not made especially for Eurovision but fits the spirit… Read more »
Definitely one of the best this year …
Hungary is probably the country that will benefit the most from Lisbon’s stage’s style. That video showing the pyro effects being tested was already very impressive. Just like Albania, this one will look like an arena concert, much more than an Eurovision act. I dig that. Of course it’s divisive (not just because many people don’t like hard rock, but also because hard rock fans can be very demanding), but I can see this is getting a devoted fanbase, so I believe it will go to the final and get a good result there.
Lol, flames and pyros, it can’t be more Eurovision than that!
I haven’t said that it will look more an arena concert than an Eurovision act because of the pyro (by the way, I believe Albania won’t even use pyro and I put them on the same sentence). It will be about the way a rock band uses the stage, the way they interact with an audience and the way rock concerts use lights. But yes, even the pyro can be different, because they fit the music much better than raining fireworks while a diva reachs a high note.
Is there a link for the video you mentioned or are you in Lisbon?
You can watch it here, Anita: http://wiwibloggs.com/2018/04/25/watch-behind-the-scenes-footage-of-the-eurovision-2018-stage-in-action/221935/
Thanks my dear!
Not my cup of tea, but I would welcome this in the finals to have a diversity of acts: enough divas, more diversity!
What is difference between Finaland 2016 and Hungary 2018 (one of wiwibloogs favorites and some eurovision fans on this bloggs). Song in both times is almost screaming , first sreaming 1,5 minutes and Hungary wili scream 3 minutes. We know how Finland pass in semi 2016 , they would out of TOP 10 in semi , only 10 place with televote and last place with juries with 1 points (that point came from Serbia jury).
Finland’s song was terrible. This one is superb.
2015*
PKN not Sandhja
His voice is not so good and don’t like that the rest of the band is somehow separated from singer..
i find it cringeworthy but ok
Possible success similar to their past entries.
Hungary and AWS are going to steal the show in the SF2! So much energy and power. A sure qualifier here, maybe not everyone, but definitely a standout. I predict, at least, a Top 5 in its SF and a Top 15 in the Grand Final, maybe higher. Good job guys!
I think they will slay in the semis and also in GF! For me this is not metal, just an emotional and joyful catchy tune that I adore! 19 votes from me in the semi! Go AWS!
Hungary guitarist membe will jump in crowd real or fake crowd. If he fell in fake crowd , that means EBU allows Hungary to break rules 6 perrson on stage or hidden near the stage as backing vocalist or fake crowd
That’s the stupidest remark i’ve ever heard.
scandal!! ban them now
Nyår means new year in swedish.
Viszlat Nyár = Happy new year
He sings about the new year.
hmm… mkay hun..
and why so much anger??? does he hate christmas?
The meaning in the lyrics are drowned and overshadowed by the loud aggressive screaming and shouting. This might qualify but it is definitely NOT getting near the top 10.
Is perfect song for the nostalgics from 50 years old , but i think is not for 2018
Without any negative criticism, I don’t think it feels older than last year’s winner.
Can you guys please ask AWS if it’s true that the song is written from the perspective of the father?
The chorus is the dying father.
That’s correct. The whole song is about the father preparing his child for the inevitable.
As the English version of this song (Summer Gone) is a literal word by word translation, it can explain the story better than I can to you.
This song is unique in a good way this year, and seeing the rehearsal went well will further prove the haters wrong. But you guys are right, metal isn’t for everyone.
It’s my hands down winner this year. There’s just something very special and compelling about this entry. I trully hope Europe shows it the love and respect it deserves.
Possible semi final winner? How awesome would be that!
This was something. I think it might be to out there ton really work for ESC. Plus it’s to shouty. Still good on them for being bold and risky!