Tomas (Märnø) and Tom (Ancst) each kept a tour diary through April. Same seven nights, mostly the same venues, often the same hostel – but two vans, two different headspaces, and entries that don’t always line up. One leans practical and observational, the other gets more reflective, and on a few details — how the sound landed in any given room, who connected with the crowd, the actual feel of a venue — the two accounts don’t fully match.
The tour ran April 1–7, five countries, seven cities: Prague, Uherské Hradiště, Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, then Nürnberg and Berlin with Ancst continuing solo after Märnø wrapped their portion in Austria. Easter weekend dropped right in the middle of it.
Märnø are from Uherské Hradiště in Moravia, formed at the end of 2020.
Their stuff pulls from crust, emotional hardcore, d-beat and post-metal — proper neocrust territory, with melodic and emotional weight.
They were on this run promoting “Via Incognita,” their new album recorded last autumn at DAVOS studio.
Ancst are German, going since 2011 — blackened metalcore with grindcore and crust pulled in, plus the occasional detour into black metal or dark ambient across a back catalogue past twenty-eight releases. Tomas reached out to Tom a year ahead. The two bands split the booking and ran the whole thing themselves.
Some of what shows up in the diary below: a backing track player that died mid-set in Uherské Hradiště and nearly ended the tour on day two; Milan’s mother-in-law cooking homemade goulash and pouring slivovice before the hometown show; an uncontrollable lighting setup at Budapest’s Robot; Wargame’s bass player in Bratislava running the fog machine because his hand was broken; Tom using between-song moments in Bratislava to talk about solidarity, anti-fascism and critical thinking; a vegan restaurant in Vienna doing modernised Austrian classics; a sold-out matinee at Nürnberg’s Kunstverein; and a flyer with the wrong stage time at SO36 in Berlin that meant Ancst opened to forty people in a room that filled to nearly two hundred by the end of the set.
Below: both diaries in full, alternating between Tomas and Tom, day by day.
Day 0–1 — Prague
Tomas (MÄRNØ): Every year around Easter, we try to bring something special to the Czech scene. This time, the name came up quickly: ANCST. A band with a strong identity and a reputation that sets the bar high—not just musically, but in terms of expectations and professionalism. Still, with recommendations from friends and a bit of trust, it felt right.
From the first messages with Tom, it was clear: this would work. There was a sense of care and structure behind everything. Shows started coming together quickly, and soon the tour was set.
We kicked things off in Prague on April 1st at Subzero. By late afternoon we had loaded in, and the first in-person meeting confirmed the feeling—this would be a good run.
We opened the night. Around 80 people filled the room, and from the stage it felt intense and focused. When ANCST took over, the energy shifted—raw, aggressive, controlled. Tom’s presence on stage immediately made sense of everything we had expected. Not everything was perfect sound-wise, but people left satisfied. A strong start.
Tom (ANCST): Another year, another tour. This time with MÄRNØ—seven days through Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria and Germany. Tomas had reached out the year before, and the whole thing came together pretty naturally once we split the booking.
The days before departure were the usual chaos: packing merch, making noise online, last-minute organization. Then Bene picked us up, we loaded the van—and, as tradition demands, we were already late. Easter traffic didn’t help. Highways were packed, so we ended up taking the long way to Prague.
After what felt like an endless drive, we finally arrived at Subzero, rushed through load-in, quick hellos, straight into setup. No time to really catch up with people, just the essentials: merch, soundcheck, go.
MÄRNØ kicked things off and set the tone right. Packed room for a Wednesday, great energy. Our set felt good too, though personally I could tell—it would take me a couple more shows to fully lock in again. That first-show stiffness is real.
Afterwards: the usual routine. Merch, packing gear, winding down. MÄRNØ headed home, we grabbed burgers and walked back to the hostel. Small room, enough beds for everyone—and for once, no shared mattress situation. A solid first night.
Day 2 — Uherské Hradiště
Tomas (MÄRNØ): The mood carried over from Prague. Tom is exactly the kind of person you want on a tour like this—always joking, always in good spirits—and that energy set the tone as we headed to Uherské Hradiště, our hometown.
Last year’s show here with SVDESTADA was packed and intense. This time was quieter, around 60 people, but still solid. And in the end, numbers don’t define the night.
Before anything else, there was food. Milan’s mother-in-law prepared a proper homemade goulash, and of course there was slivovice. Strong, local, unavoidable. The kind of hospitality that makes these shows more than just shows.
The night started with DNO—emo/screamo/crust with a great sound and emotional delivery.
After them, NO GOD RHETORIC pushed things into more aggressive territory—fastcore, grind, sharp stop-and-go passages. Intense and precise.
We played next. Everything felt clear, the sound was exactly how it should be. When ANCST took over, they had the same advantage—and used it fully. It felt like many people in Moravia didn’t really know them before, but that changed that night. The sound was crystal clear, and the energy hit hard.
Afterwards, more goulash, more slivovice, good conversations.
We left in a very good mood.
Tom (ANCST): We woke up late—around 9. Classic tour breakfast: a Kong Strong energy drink and a cigarette. Not ideal, but consistent.
After loading the van, we left Prague and took it slow. Quick stop somewhere in the countryside, watching a family of ducks in the river. Small moment, but it sticks.
The drive to Uherské Hradiště felt longer than it should have. We arrived early, grabbed some pretty underwhelming bakery food, checked into the hostel, and then headed to Club Mír—an old cinema turned venue. Great space, great people.
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Then came the usual rhythm: soundcheck, merch setup… and waiting.
Touring isn’t romantic, kid – It’s a lot of waiting. But at least we had time to actually hang out with the guys from MÄRNØ, which made it easy and fun.
Loved the two Czech bands that night, I agree with Tomas, 2 really lovely sets.
The room—probably 200 capacity—filled up to around 60 to 70 people, which is decent for a Thursday.
MÄRNØ played next. Energetic, confident, and with a clear identity. You could feel the connection when people started singing along.
Our turn after that. And then, for a moment, it almost fell apart.
Our backing track player, which is basically running everything (drums, 2. guitar, synths, clicktracks), refused to start. Just dead. For a second, it felt like the tour might end right there on day two. Eventually, it came back to life—but that was a reminder. We need a backup. Digital gear isn’t built to forgive mistakes.
The set itself was okay. I struggled a lot physically—breathing was rough, close to throwing up by the end—but we pushed through. Some people seemed to really connect with it, which is what matters.
After the show: talking to people, packing everything down, winding it all back.
Then bed.
Day 3 — Budapest
Tomas (MÄRNØ):Friday meant Budapest. Marton from the Keserv Crew had set everything up at Robot, and already on the way we heard the show would be packed. That alone lifted the mood.
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Robot is an impressive place—part club, part live venue—and Marton runs it with real passion. You could feel that immediately. From the organization to the catering, everything was on point.
The night proved it. From the very first band, the room was hot, the sound was fully professional, and the energy stayed high throughout. Merch moved well, people stayed engaged, everything clicked.
After the show, the night didn’t end. We moved to a nearby bar with a great beer selection, and for some, it turned into a proper afterparty that lasted until the early morning.
Budapest delivers—on every level.
Tom (ANCST): Sleep wasn’t great. Still, we loaded the van early and decided to hit the road as soon as possible. Traffic had been rough the past days, so we skipped lunch plans and went straight for Budapest.
The drive was uneventful. I tried to sleep, failed as usual. A few minutes here and there, then awake again every time Bene touched the brakes. Some things don’t change.
We arrived and met Marton at Robot. First time seeing him in two years, and exactly the same energy—warm, welcoming, fully invested. You gotta love that dude.
The venue itself is wild. Multiple floors, bars, dance areas—and tucked in the basement, a smaller stage for live shows. We were warned: after the concert, this place would flip completely.
Soundcheck went smooth. MÄRNØ arrived, and we kept a small tradition alive—heading out for Nokedli at Nokedlish before the show. Back at Robot, there was pálinka waiting.
Tetem opened—heavy d-beat, strong riffs, great energy. MÄRNØ followed, sounding great again, though I missed parts of the set being stuck at the merch table.
Our set felt good. No issues with the backing tracks this time, but the lighting system clearly had a mind of its own—completely out of control. Didn’t matter. We just pushed through. For me, this was the best show of the tour so far.
Then the switch happened and the place turned into normie-hell.
The basement show ended, and upstairs the club turned into what we were warned about—packed with tourists and party crowds. Loading the van through that was… complicated.
Outside, it didn’t get calmer. Budapest at night felt overwhelming—huge crowds, a lot of drunk people everywhere. Like Berlin, Budapest has a party tourism problem.
We ended up at a small craft beer bar nearby that was run by HC kids and because I hate beer, I chose some blue craft beer that didn’t taste much like beer – which was ok. More pálinka, a bit of chaos, good conversations.
The place we were staying at was a short drive away, so we kept it relatively under control.
Called it a night. responsible and shit.
Day 4 — Bratislava
Tomas (MÄRNØ):
The morning in Budapest starts quietly—with a walk along the Danube. It’s a beautiful city, no question. Then back on the road. The Hungarian highways are in terrible condition so the journey is a bit longer.
The show takes place at Žalár, a small basement venue hidden inside a historic building. A group of dedicated people from the local metal and punk community built this space themselves, and you can feel that immediately. It’s small, but complete—everything it needs, nothing more.
Easter weekend has its effect. Many people are away with their families, so the turnout settles somewhere around 40 to 50. In a space like this, it works.
From soundcheck on, it feels right. The sound is clear, powerful, almost studio-like.
Wargame opens the night—this time as a two-piece, still delivering their raw d-beat energy.
We go on next, followed by ANCST. Their set benefits fully from the sound—precise, intense, controlled. Tom takes moments between songs to speak about solidarity, critical thinking, and the growing threat of fascism. It fits the atmosphere, and it lands. He knows when to push and when to hold back.
A strong night, carried by sound and intention.
Tom (ANCST): Woke up with a slight hangover. Nothing dramatic, just enough to slow things down. Went out with Bene and Nico, grabbed some food, sat in the sun for a bit. Simple reset.
Then back in the van, heading to Bratislava.
Žalár is one of those places you immediately like. Small basement, low ceiling, loud as hell. Good people. No pretension.
Wargame opened. D-beat, stripped down. Their bass player was out with a broken hand, so he ended up running the fog machine instead. Not ideal, but they made it work.
MÄRNØ sounded great again. You could feel Budapest still lingering a bit, but the energy was there.
Our set… technically, everything worked. No issues with gear for once, which already felt like a win.
But the show itself didn’t land the way I wanted. There was a drunk woman in the front who kept shouting, touching me, interrupting the whole time. I tried to talk to her, explain that it wasn’t okay—but it didn’t change anything. Usually I can deal with that kind of situation, but this time it got under my skin. It pulled me out of it.
After the set, things leveled out again. Shots with the bar crew, conversations here and there. That helped.
Tomas had booked an Airbnb for both bands, so we ended the night together—sitting around, talking music, letting things settle.
A quieter ending.
Needed that.
Day 5 — Vienna
Tomas (MÄRNØ): We wake up to a clear, sunny morning. Spring is fully here, and some of us take the chance to walk around a bit before hitting the road again.
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Vienna greets us with almost summer temperatures—around 25 degrees. Before the show, Tom invites us to a vegan restaurant serving traditional Austrian dishes in a modern way. A great experience, not just food-wise. We sit, eat, talk. One of those calm moments in between the constant movement.
In the afternoon, we head to the venue—a very specific, deeply punk space. This is our first time here with MÄRNØ, and it leaves an impression immediately. DIY, raw, but alive. Vegan food is everywhere, part of the culture, not an extra.
It’s also the last show together. The week went by fast.
Attendance is lower than expected—around 40 people—but in a room like this, that doesn’t matter much. The sound is overwhelming. Loud in a way that almost disorients you. I honestly don’t remember a louder show.
We give everything with MÄRNØ.
And when ANCST take over, the intensity only increases—their light setup combined with the volume creates something almost physical. Not for the faint of heart.
Then it’s over. Packing up, saying goodbye.
What stays is simple: we met great people. Organizers, bands—everyone treated each other with respect and openness. ANCST move like professionals, but underneath that, there is still a strong punk mindset. That combination matters.
For us, it’s clear: We want this again.
Tom (ANCST): Quick Lidl breakfast, back on the road. Somewhere along the way, we got pulled over by the police. Quick check, nothing to find, and we were on our way again.
Vienna felt warm. Almost too warm after the last days.
Met up with MÄRNØ and went out for food together. Good meal, good conversations. These are the moments you don’t plan, but they stick.
At the venue, we met Andi – a long-time comrade who I like a lot and who has put on nearly every Vienna show I have ever played. Its great to see him again and catch up. If you read this Andi – feel kissed.
The show itself was good. Turnout wasn’t great—felt like a lot of people were still recovering from the past days—but the ones who were there made it count.
Playing felt solid. No major issues, no chaos—just a straightforward, intense set.
Then came the part no one likes.
Saying goodbye to MÄRNØ.
They were great to travel with. Easy, open, good energy the whole way through. The kind of people you hope to cross paths with again.
After the show, we kept it low. Hung out a bit, grabbed some food, then straight to sleep.
By that point, you could feel it—the tour starting gnawing on our bones.
Day 6 — Nürnberg
Tom (ANCST): Early start. Breakfast with Andi at 8—quick, but good—and then straight back on the road to Nürnberg.
The show at Kunstverein was a matinee, so timing mattered. Load-in was early, soundcheck even earlier. After a long drive, we arrived, unloaded, and went straight into setup—probably testing the patience of the sound crew a bit in the process.
Once that was done, things slowed down. We met up with Breathe//Die, Düster, and some familiar faces—friends passing through, people joining for a night. Luiz came in from Brazil, Amma stopped by on her way back to Berlin. That’s the good part of touring—these overlapping moments.
I spent a lot of time outside, needed a bit of quiet after the last days. Missed some of the earlier bands because of that, but made it back in time for Breathe//Die and Düster. Both sets were strong. Breathe//Die especially has really grown over the years—it shows.
By the time we played, the place was packed. Sold out.
And Kunstverein did what it always does—delivered.
Full room, movement everywhere. Pit, stage dives, people singing along. One of those shows where everything just connects without effort.
Afterwards: Pfeffi, conversations, winding down.
Then bed. Another early start waiting—the final stop in Berlin.
Day 7 — Berlin
Tom (ANCST): Last day. We got up, forced down some bread, loaded the van, said our goodbyes—and you could feel it. Everyone was running on empty.
Back to Berlin. We unloaded at SO36, while Bene returned the rental. Inside, we met the crews of Bong-Ra and Thy Catafalque—all friendly, easy atmosphere. First time playing SO36 for me, and it showed why the place has its reputation. The crew took great care of us, and everything ran smoothly.
We were opening the night—and that’s where things slipped.
Wrong time on the flyer. We had announced 20:00, actual stage time was 19:30.
So we started in front of maybe 40 people. By the end of the set, the room had filled up to 150, maybe 200. At the merch table later, some people were understandably annoyed. Fair enough.
The show itself felt good. Just a strange start.
Afterwards, we stayed, watched the other bands, talked to friends. Then the final routine—loading everything one last time. Amma, Nico and I hauled the gear back to my place.
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And that was it.
Bene went straight back to work the next morning.
Nico kept going to shows.
I slept for days.
Good tour. Not perfect, but real.
You feel it more now—the physical side, the mental side. It’s not as easy as it used to be in our 20s. But still: good shows, good people, good moments. With MÄRNØ, between ourselves.
Overall—yeah.
We had a blast.
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