Live Review: Ultima Ratio Fest - Wrocław 2025

A2, Wrocław, Poland
5th October 2025
Ultima Ratio Fest 2025 with Iotunn, Equilibrium, Soen, Dark Tranquillity

This year’s edition of the Ultima Ratio Fest brought an exceptional line-up to Poland, uniting four distinctive acts that represent different spectrums of modern Metal. The Danish explorers IOTUNN, German veterans EQUILIBRIUM, Progressive visionaries SOEN, and Swedish legends DARK TRANQUILLITY performed at Wrocław’s A2 Club, delivering an evening that celebrated musicianship, emotional power, and human connection in equal measure. The venue was packed to the last corner, filled with an audience that radiated anticipation - ready for a night where precision, emotion, and sonic force would collide.


Iotunn

The Danish formation IOTUNN, known for their ambitious blend of Progressive and Death Metal, opened the festival. Their debut album ‘Access All Worlds’ (2021) gained international recognition for its cosmic scale, technical finesse, and emotional depth. The band’s line-up includes Benjamin Jensen (vocals), Jens Nicolai Grønlund (guitars), Niklas Larsen (bass), and Bjørn Wind Andersen (drums). www.facebook.com/iotunn / www.instagram.com/iotunn



Music & Performance
From the very first note, IOTUNN demonstrated their mastery of atmosphere and precision. Their performance combined crushing riffs with expansive, celestial textures - moments of aggression seamlessly giving way to introspective passages. The sound was meticulously balanced, highlighting the contrast between dense rhythmic sections and soaring melodic lines. Benjamin Jensen’s vocals alternated between growls and clean tones, both commanding and emotive.



The band’s tight interplay created a sense of narrative flow - like chapters in a vast sonic odyssey. Though the audience was still gathering during the first track, by mid-set the entire venue was immersed. Heads nodded in unison, and even those unfamiliar with the band were visibly drawn in by the conviction of their delivery. It was a confident, powerful opening - setting the tone for the evening’s depth and diversity.

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Equilibrium

Formed in 2001 in Germany, EQUILIBRIUM are celebrated for their unique fusion of Folk-inspired melodies and symphonic Metalcore energy. With albums such as ‘Renegades’ and ‘Armageddon’, the band have carved a reputation for crafting anthems that are both epic and playful. www.facebook.com/equilibrium / www.instagram.com/equilibrium_official



Music & Performance
EQUILIBRIUM took the stage to a roar of applause, instantly transforming the hall into a storm of rhythm and light. Their sound was immense - bright guitar tones layered with cinematic synths and pounding percussion. Every note was delivered with precision and unrestrained enthusiasm. The duality that defines their music - brutality intertwined with melody - was on full display. ‘Blut im Auge’ and ‘Renegades - A Lost Generation’ drew thunderous sing-alongs, while ‘Born to Be Epic’ sent the audience into a collective frenzy.



The front rows erupted into circle pits; laughter and shouts filled the air between songs. Despite the intensity, there was a distinct warmth to the set - a sense of shared joy. The musicians interacted constantly with fans, exchanging smiles, gestures, and inside jokes. It was a reminder that EQUILIBRIUM’s true power lies not only in their technical brilliance but in their ability to connect.

Setlist
01. Born to Be Epic
02. Renegades – A Lost Generation
03. Bloodwood
04. Blut im Auge
05. Cerulean Skies
06. Shelter
07. Nexus

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Soen

Formed in 2010 by ex-OPETH drummer Martin Lopez and vocalist Joel Ekelöf, SOEN are renowned for their emotionally charged Progressive Metal. With albums like ‘Lotus’ (2019) and ‘Memorial’ (2023), the band have become synonymous with introspection and musical sophistication. www.facebook.com/SoenMusic / www.instagram.com/soenmusic



Music & Performance
When SOEN appeared beneath soft amber lights, a hush fell over the crowd - the mood changed instantly. Their performance was a masterclass in control and emotion. The band balanced raw intensity with haunting subtlety; every note felt deliberate, every pause meaningful. Joel Ekelöf’s voice carried an almost spiritual clarity, soaring effortlessly through the layers of sound. His stage presence was understated yet magnetic - a quiet authority that held the audience in rapt silence.



The set drew heavily from ‘Memorial’ and ‘Lotus’, with ‘Antagonist’ and ‘Memorial’ standing out as cathartic high points. The lighting complemented each transition, deep blues and golds washing over the stage as the music evolved from whisper to storm. By the final chords of ‘Violence’, the crowd erupted into a standing ovation. There was no chaos - just pure, emotional release. It was one of those rare performances where the line between band and audience disappeared entirely.

Setlist
01. Sincere
02. Antagonist
03. Martyrs
04. Unbreakable
05. Modesty
06. Memorial
07. Lotus
08. Violence

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Dark Tranquillity

Pioneers of the Gothenburg Melodic Death Metal sound, DARK TRANQUILLITY have been shaping the genre since the early 1990s. Albums such as ‘The Gallery’, ‘Damage Done’, and ‘Atoma’ have solidified their legacy as innovators who merge aggression with atmosphere and lyrical introspection. www.facebook.com/dtofficial / www.instagram.com/darktranquillityofficial



Music & Performance
As the lights dimmed and the crowd began to roar, it was clear that something extraordinary was about to unfold. The moment DARK TRANQUILLITY stepped onto the stage, energy surged through the room like electricity. Opening with ‘Identical to None’, they immediately proved why they remain at the forefront of modern Metal.



Mikael Stanne’s presence was commanding - his mix of ferocity and empathy made him one of the most compelling frontmen in the scene. He alternated between visceral screams and warm, grateful smiles, constantly engaging with the audience. His connection felt genuine, his passion undimmed by decades on stage.



The set unfolded like a journey through the band’s history, from the haunting beauty of ‘Lethe’ to the emotional weight of ‘Atoma’. The sound mix was flawless - dense yet crystalline, every instrument given space to breathe. The audience’s reaction bordered on ecstatic; arms raised, voices joined in unison, people swaying and shouting until exhaustion.



By the final notes of ‘Terminus (Where Death Is Most Alive)’, the venue felt like a single living organism - pulsing with light, sweat, and collective emotion. It was not just a concert, but a shared transcendence.

Setlist
01. The Gallery
02. Punish My Heaven
03. Edenspring
04. Lethe
05. The Emptiness From Which I Fed
06. The Dividing Line
07. The New Build
08. The Endless Feed
09. Through Smudged Lenses
10. My Negation
11. Lost to Apathy
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12. Not Nothing
13. Atoma
14. Unforgivable
15. Terminus (Where Death Is Most Alive)
16. Misery’s Crown

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The ULTIMA RATIO FEST 2025 in Wrocław was a masterclass in contrasts - aggression and elegance, structure and chaos, sound and silence. Each band offered something distinct, yet together they formed a narrative of evolution and artistic conviction. The audience, equally passionate and respectful, turned the A2 Club into a living, breathing organism of sound and energy.

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Brought to Poland by Knock Out Productions, the event was flawlessly organised and sonically immaculate. For anyone seeking proof that Metal continues to grow, transform, and inspire - this night provided all the evidence needed.

All pictures by Karo Kratochwil