Beltine in Flames: Deloraine and Irdorath Turned Brno’s Sono into a Pagan Ritual
On the last day of April – when, according to ancient tales, the veil between worlds grows thin and the fire of Beltane burns away old and new shadows alike – Brno transformed for one night into a place of ritual. This magical night of fires, transformation, and ancient traditions belonged entirely to Deloraine and Irdorath. The Sono club became a temple, where music was not just sound, but incantation. Where dance was not movement, but invocation. And where the crowd became a single body, breathing in the same rhythm.
I arrived at Sono shortly after 5 PM. The doors opened a little after 5:15, and it was already clear this would not be an ordinary concert. Outside, the first devoted fans were gathering – many dressed in costumes inspired by Slavic mythology, fantasy worlds, and ancient pagan traditions. After the doors opened, some fans passed the time browsing the merch stand, others claimed spots in the front rows by the stage, while many enjoyed mead or beer. The venue gradually filled with people for whom wearing costumes to a Deloraine show is almost second nature.
Shortly after 6 PM, Belarusian band Irdorath took the stage, opening with Lesavik. The song pulled the audience into a world of Belarusian legends and dark forests. The opening track from their new album Bestiarium, presented as part of their tour, set the tone for the evening with hypnotic force. Although most lyrics were sung in Belarusian, there was no language barrier – quite the opposite. The language added authenticity and rawness that perfectly matched the stories being told.
Next came Vuzhalka, during which the crowd was already dancing and singing along. The musicians clearly enjoyed themselves, switching between instruments such as bagpipes, hurdy-gurdy, didgeridoo, and other traditional instruments. During Rusalka, vocalist Nadzeya sat at the hurdy-gurdy. Despite being in an advanced stage of pregnancy, her performance was mesmerizing. She may not have danced as much as last summer at Špilberk, but every movement and note carried immense strength and devotion.
The setlist combined new and older songs – including Dimna Juda, As Bas, Lojma, Staury Haury, and the energetic Zhari-Zhari.
The most powerful moment of the night came with Zorami. The song was written as the first piece after Nadzeya and Vladimir were released from prison. Between 2021 and 2023, they were imprisoned for participating in protests against the Lukashenko regime in Belarus and were recognized as political prisoners. Although they now live in exile in Germany, many others remain in Belarusian prisons. During the song, dozens of hands rose across the venue holding the symbol of peace, and for a few minutes, Sono turned into a silent yet powerful gesture of solidarity. The set closed with Vaukalad, Paludnica, and Balotnik, met with loud applause.
Deloraine took the stage shortly before 8 PM, opening their set with an explosive intro and Divoký hon. As is customary for the band, the entire concert transformed into one long ritual, guiding the audience until the very end. The venue immediately came alive, with fans chanting and singing along.
Nilfgaard followed, during which Emhyr var Emreis himself appeared on stage. A fan dressed as the Nilfgaardian emperor looked so convincing that, for a moment, it felt less like Brno and more like the imperial palace of Nilfgaard. Emhyr became an active part of the scene, turning the stage into a royal court.
Then came Ostara – a song about the clash between winter and spring. Morana appeared on stage, dressed in black with a crown of horns, her gaze cold as the last frost of winter. Opposing her stood Máša in a red costume symbolizing spring and new life. The entire performance played out like a theatrical ritual. The battle of the seasons ended with spring's victory, and Morana was carried off the stage by dancers. Songs Lughnasad and Yennefer followed, softening the atmosphere into more magical, introspective tones.
Between songs, Turnawen led a musical quiz. She played Marigold on violin, instantly recognized by the audience. A new track, Jarrilo, followed – identified only by the most dedicated Patreon supporters.
The atmosphere gradually darkened. The venue was flooded with red light as Ragnarok approached. A horned seeress appeared on stage, portrayed by Máša, while a glowing red dragon was brought to life by the movement and light work of Blackout Paradox dancers. Songs Lada and Samhain followed, and Sono transformed into a forest landscape during Dryády. Dancers embodied forest spirits moving with fire, as if the woods themselves had come alive.
From the forest, the journey shifted north to Odin, portrayed by Spars. The song Ódin – Havranů pán echoed through the hall, with Norma appearing as well, symbolically weaving the fates of everyone present with her ropes.
As promised, Král was performed. Spars sat on a raised platform during the song. Derias reacted instantly, improvising with a smile: "God forbid Spars decides to settle here," which drew laughter across the venue.
Sono then bathed in red light once more, no longer resembling a concert hall at all. Máša, Turnawen, and dancers in white dresses carrying lanterns appeared, as if bringing light through darkness. They settled on the raised stage, and Sabat began. The repeated chant filled the space: "Neboj se teď tančit nahá. Neboj se teď do tmy skočit." The venue turned into a full ritual celebration – dance, song, and pagan energy filling every corner. Cernunnos, the horned god of the forest, appeared on stage to close the ritual circle.
Steel for Humans and Silver for Monsters from The Witcher 3 followed. The final track, Mabon, turned Sono into one massive celebration – dancers from Blackout Paradox invited fans onto the stage, and the boundary between audience and performers completely dissolved. The entire space became a living festival of Beltane.
Deloraine once again proved that their shows are not just concerts, but full pagan rituals that merge stories, mythology, and audience into one unified experience. A huge thank you goes to both bands for an unforgettable night and atmosphere. Special thanks also to Blackout Paradox for elevating the evening with their choreography and character work, including Morana and the dragon. And last but not least, thanks to everyone involved in the production – and to the fans, who became an inseparable part of the ritual itself.
A selection of photos can be viewed directly below the article, while the full gallery is available on ZONOREAMA.
Text: Kačí
Photos: Kačí & Matess