Windhand & Dorthia Cottrell @ The Black Heart, London, 12th June 2025

For all the bands I’ve seen perform in my time, there are some that have left an impression long after they’ve left the stage. Mostly, it’s been down to having my expectations absolutely obliterated over the course of the artist’s set and walking away feeling like I’ve just witnessed something historic in the making.

As one who’s never really had much interest in attending festivals, I’ve always been a gig goer, yet back before anyone had any inclination that a pandemic would effectively shut down the world, I attended Wacken twice. The first time was in 2017, and admittedly, I came away from that experience more overwhelmed by the enormity of it than of any one definitive moment or band.

The same wasn’t true of Wacken 2018, and even though I did get to see several incredible performances, the one that stood out for me was Windhand on the Wasteland Stage. It was late afternoon, the beer was just starting to create a nice little buzz, and then to top it all, this incredible band were tearing up the stage with a set that was truly memorable. While we had managed to be right on the front barrier throughout, it appeared that no one else had gotten the memo on just how necessary it would be to see the band perform. Sounding unlike anything else that was on offer at the time, the band were the highlight of the whole festival for me. Heavier than Sabbath, moodier than Meshuggah, and cooler than the devil himself, Windhand were just so understatedly fucking awesome.

Ever since that date, I have been waiting for another opportunity to see Windhand perform live again, and that was finally realised on Thursday, 12th June 2025, when they made an appearance in London, at the intimate little sweatbox that is The Black Heart. Not only that, but Dorthia was also providing the support slot entertainment with her own incredibly enchanting solo work, too. It had all the promise of being a truly memorable experience, and after having reviewed Dorthia’s latest solo album, Death Folk Country, back in 2023, I had been eager ever since to get to witness at least one track from the opus being performed live.

Dorthia took to the stage just after 8:15pm accompanied by Leanne Martz, a newer inclusion into the Windhand family, and between the two, they performed an incredibly intimate few tracks covering both of Dorthia’s solo albums, as a silent audience watched on in awe. It was one of those moments when you really had to be there, watching as the vulnerability of each track was laid out for everyone in the room to hear.

It provided the perfect parallel to Dorthia’s other incarnation as Windhand’s enigmatic vocalist, showing the uninitiated just how versatile she is as an artist, and as a fan of both, it was like all my Christmases coming at once. Even though it was a limited set, it was still utterly magical, and as she finished up, so that the stage could be reset for the band to perform, I had secretly wished for one, if not two extra tracks, just to satisfy that want within me.

After a brief interlude, Windhand appeared, but this time it was clear, even before the first track started, that the band were here to kick some ass, more than they were to reinstate the fact that they were still active, and back for business. There was a look of readiness, like a pensiveness before going into battle.

Just like adding more heat to the already humid environment, they fired up and filled the room with sound, which did nothing but intensify the mood in the already sauna-esque environment. I’ve been in some small venues in my time, but nothing could have prepared me for just how hot it was going to be. Hotter than Satan’s arsehole, with the closeness of being wrapped in plastic wrap, even without having to feel the person next to you radiating their body heat in every direction, to say it was stifling was an understatement.

Thankfully, that discomfort was quickly dispelled as the band found their stride and promptly kicked things into a literal overdrive. The vibe in the room was electric, both on the stage and off, and even though it felt like there was a little uncertainty on the first couple of tracks, by the time those had finished, it was all guns blazing from that point on.

The band covered a fair amount of material over the course of the set; it was a healthy splattering of tracks from the whole back catalogue, so those who would have only come to the Windhand table in the last couple of years may well have not known some of the older stuff, but it didn’t matter anyway. Between tracks, Dorthia interacted with the audience, which was lovely to see, and the whole tone of the divide between the band and the crowd was broken down completely. That’s the other thing with this band: there’s no rock star attitude, they don’t seem to be motivated by that side of things at all, it’s all about the music, the vibe, and the environment. There is a oneness that comes right from the stage where you feel connected.

As the set ran through, it was hypnotising, which in part was due to the loudness of the drone; it was inescapable, and as each guitar chug was hit, it was like a pulse throughout your body. The backline drumming and bass were ridiculously feral and punishing, and so coupling those with that guitar slog felt like being part of some shamanic ritual, all you could do was give yourself to it and enjoy the ride.

Even long after the set had ended, it took some time to come down from that spiritual high. The intensity of the performance had been such that it had felt like being somewhat possessed and then waking up, wondering what had just happened while you were away in a different dimension.

Seeing the band for a second time now, I really hope it doesn’t take another seven years to see them again, because that would be an absolute travesty. One of the most underrated acts around, with the most talent, and so undeniably cool, Windhand ARE the band you should be seeing, and telling all your friends about. Just so epically fantastic, without all of the gimmicks and promotion, if you miss them live, then you’ve fucked up.

Windhand

Dorthia Cottrell

Words & Photos by: Lee Beamish