K Club in Velké Svatoňovice hosted Roxor, Rimortis, and Vanaheim: three faces of metal, one epic evening

On Friday, April 3, 2026, I visited Velké Svatoňovice, a small village in the Trutnov region. It is home to the pleasant restaurant K Club, where a concert featuring three bands — Roxor, Rimortis, and Vanaheim — took place.

Roxor opened the program as the first band and, during their one-hour set, performed a total of 13 songs. At the very beginning, singer Ondřej Marek announced a guest drummer — Martin Růžka, a former member of Rimortis, who replaced the regular drummer Julius Botoš. However, this change had no negative impact on the performance, and the band delivered an energetic heavy metal show that quickly got the audience moving. Although the crowd was more intimate, it was all the more attentive and engaged. The fact that Roxor was not just a "warm-up act" but a full-fledged opening band was evident, for example, when the audience sang along to the chorus of the song Zlodějka duší.

At the end of the set, Ondřej Marek thanked the organizers for the excellent facilities and noted that other organizers could take inspiration from them. He then introduced the band lineup—guest drummer Martin Růžek, bassist Roman Matěj Veselý, guitarist Michal Žáža, guitarist and vocalist Dan Reissaus, and singer Ondra Marek. The song Metal Heart followed, with the audience joining in with their own chorus, and the set concluded with Než skončí show.

After a group photo and a short break, Rimortis took the stage. They opened with the song Růže pro krále, followed by Hra se životem. From the very first notes, it was clear the band had won over the audience. Their melodic power metal carried both drive and atmosphere. Frontman Milan Hloucal also lightened the mood with humor, thanking the "bribed pit from Rychnov nad Kněžnou," which supported him vocally several times during the evening.

The band also dedicated a selection of songs — Stín křídel, Sedmý syn, and Pláč andělů — to their former drummer Martin Růžek, whom we could see performing with Roxor. This was followed by the slower Pod gilotinou, which brought a calmer moment and created a strong atmosphere. Ballads like this are often highlights of concerts, and that was no exception here. Next came the well-known and frequently played track Zvony fantazie, followed by a new song, Stroj času.

After Třináctá komnata, the main set came to an end. Before the final song, Milan Hloucal introduced the entire band—drummer Honza Svitač, guitarists Martin Čermák and Marco Massa, bassist Vašek Mrzena, and himself as vocalist — and invited fans to follow them on social media. The finale featured the self-titled song Rimortis, followed by a group photo with the audience.

After another break, during which the stage was reset and fans refreshed themselves, it was time for Vanaheim. This was especially appreciated by fans (warriors) adorned with red eye markings. Vanaheim immediately stood out with their visual style and thematic focus on Norse mythology. The opening belonged to the title track from their new album Devět světů, followed by Ledové fjordy. The band gradually built the atmosphere and drew the audience into myth-inspired stories.

The song about the legendary serpent Jörmungandr also featured, with the audience chanting its name in the chorus. A special guest then appeared on stage—Ondřej Marek from Roxor—alongside the symbolic presence of the god Thor and his hammer. He took over vocal duties for three songs. There was also a lighthearted moment before the song about the wolf Fenrir, when Ondra Marek joked with a fan wearing a Fenrir-themed T-shirt, asking whether he "had the wolf."

After returning to the stage, singer Krejčí reminded the audience of the recent album release show for Devět světů, which took place on March 21 in Chlumec nad Cidlinou. From this album, the band performed Sköll a Hati, dedicated to a warrior named Vašek, whom the band regularly sees at their shows. This was followed by the atmospheric Upsalla, offering a calmer moment.

Further songs inspired by Norse mythology followed, including Ásgard, Drakkar, and Valkýry. Before leaving the stage, the band thanked the organizers, technical crew, and the audience. After a short break, they returned for two encore songs— Hel and Král vikingů, performed by both vocalists, Miloslav Krejčí and guest Ondřej Marek. In total, Vanaheim played 14 songs, closing the evening in grand style. After a final group photo with the audience, the event came to an end.

In conclusion, thanks go to all three bands – Roxor, Rimortis, and Vanaheim – along with their teams for three amazing concerts, as well as to everyone else who contributed to making the event run smoothly, and of course to the fans for the great atmosphere, without which it wouldn't have been the same. Special recognition goes to the organizers, who ensured the seamless course of the event and provided above-standard facilities for both performers and guests, as well as for the opportunity to get a glimpse behind the scenes. I can personally confirm that the bands were taken care of in a truly outstanding way, especially in terms of the rich and regularly replenished catering and the excellent backstage facilities.

Verri