Slovácko Shadows and an Indoor Assault: Free Fall Kick Off a New Era at Uherské Hradiště’s Klub Mír
When the stage at Uherské Hradiště's Klub Mír came alive on Saturday, September 19, it was clear from the very first notes that this would be no ordinary club night. Local stalwarts Free Fall were approaching a major milestone: unveiling a new chapter for the band and celebrating the release of fresh material. Although the venue was not packed to the rafters, the full room created a fantastic, charged atmosphere for an evening filled with premieres, the new single Stíny and a raw taste of the spring album to come.
The opening slot went to Uherské Hradiště–Zlín outfit DoubleThink. Their crossover sound, somewhere between alternative rock and modern metal, made for a direct and energetic start. The band launched into their set with punchy tracks such as Uspěchaná doba and the atmospheric Dráhou, while the concert's dynamic progression was highlighted by Včerejšek. Everything naturally built towards the closing number, Stabilním bodem, which put the catchy guitar lines and tightly wound rhythm section firmly in the spotlight.
The audience was then tuned into a different, distinctly visual and synth-metal wavelength by Brno's Alia Tempora. Their "unicorn metal" stormed onto the Mír stage with plenty of drive. The combination of symphonic arrangements, electronics and blazing guitar work hit the mark perfectly. Vocalist Markie added another imaginative touch to the performance, sending a cascade of soap bubbles floating over the crowd with a handheld bubble machine. The setlist built from the opener Mockingjay through melodic numbers such as Bark on Me, Get Well Soon and Dragonfly Effect, all the way to the uncompromising final assault of Loser Like Me.
The real highlight, however, arrived with the appearance of hometown heroes Free Fall. They stormed the stage with the relentless double-header of Poutník and Realita, immediately showcasing their darker, sharper-edged sound. The following tracks, Strach and Ten den, confirmed it in full force. The evening's crowning moment was the baptism of the new single and music video for Stíny, accompanied by an exclusive screening on the screen above the stage. Alia Tempora vocalist Markie Morávková took on the role of godmother, sending the video out into the world to thunderous applause from the entire room.
The live rendition of Stíny offered a precise snapshot of modern metal: a hard-hitting riff, uncompromising drum drive and a dramatic chorus that immediately sinks its teeth in. The band kept the energetic charge going with Dej mi like, Kořist, Trinity and Obrazy, saving the sharp-edged Chytit proud for the encore.
As frontman Josef Mareček hinted during the evening, Saturday's show gave fans a rare chance to experience Free Fall in a more intimate setting. Next year, however, the band will face a serious trial by fire. As part of the Czech leg of Škwor's Na hraně Tour 2027, they will appear as special guests at several shows, with the highlight undoubtedly being their performance at Prague's O2 Universum. If Saturday night at Mír proved anything, it was that Free Fall have energy to spare and a repertoire more than capable of standing up to audiences on the biggest stages.
Huge thanks and a respectful tip of the hat go to the organisers and the entire team behind Klub Mír. Putting together such a smoothly running club show, complete with excellent sound and lighting, while maintaining a great atmosphere from the first riff to the encore, deserves recognition. The Uherské Hradiště stop set the bar incredibly high, leaving us with nothing to do but take our hats off and look forward to the spring album and the band's upcoming assault on the halls.
Matess