Sven Horlemann has been kind enough to step in and report back on some previous European live events for me - being that I'm planted firmly on the other side of the globe (a certain frustration at times...).
But Sven has done a great job and here he gives us his take on the 2006 Bang Your Head Festival in Germany. Over to Sven...
Bang-Your-Head Festival 2006
June, Balingen (Germany)
Guys, I'm late. Sorry for that, but those who a) are not interested in soccer or b) were not part of the super FIFA world cup party in Germany will never understand the huge impact this world cup had on the German people & our guests. Italy won the world cup, France is second, but how the German team won the third place was exceptional, winning over even those only remotely interested in soccer, including my wife, haha.
Going to the Bang-Your-Head festival is always a little bit like coming home. It is not as big as Wacken, thus more close, and you meet a lot of people from the business from all over Europe. I like it because it's environment more or less stays the same (using one single stage, no “improvements” on the concept). Also it turned out that on Saturday we had a special treatment with a big LCD monitor in the press tent were we could watch the first half of the soccer match Sweden – Germany in the round before the quarterfinal. All in all I was happy to get the best of both worlds, because Y&T started their gig and of course we had to go to see, not only hear them while watching soccer.
So that was that. Anything else? Ah, the bands.
Friday
The Bang-Your-Head starts early, and it is a working day. HELLFUELED I missed, though I tried to be there early.
COMMUNIC
Formed in Kristiansand, Norway, COMMUNIC released their debut 2005 (Conspiracy In Mind) and won most of the soundchecks in heavy metal magazines. 2006 the follow up Waves Of Lunar Display even reaches chart position 66 in Germany...
COMMUNIC play progressive heavy metal, the vocals of Oddleif Stensland (vocals / guitar) show some similarities to NEVERMORE. Oddleif teamed up with Erik Mortensen (bass) and Tor Atle Andersen (drums). The long and epic songs, enhanced on record with lots of guitars and keyboards, worked well when played by the three band members. Correction: It was excellent how everything sounded. Within COMMUNIC the emphasis lies on the songs, not the show. This could be a problem, but as long as the songs are as captivating as they are, there won't be a boring COMMUNIC concert. Impressing.
LEATHERWOLF
Uh-uh, LEATHERWOLF fronted by Mr. Wade “I'm only in a band for one single record” Black (ex-SEVEN WITCHES, ex-CRIMSON GLORY)?. How would this turn out?
LEATHERWOLF just released their new effort World Asylum, which is indeed a big step back to the sound, energy and attitude of the debut album Endangered Species from 1985. Wade Black sings good, and World Asylum still is close enough to the original LEATHERWOLF sound to be curious about the things to come.
LEATHERWOLF made no mistakes: Rise Or Fall (Leatherwolf, 1987), Street Ready (Street Ready, 1989), Gypsies & Thieves (Leatherwolf, 1987) started an impressing concert. God, why doesn't anybody write such powerful and melodic metal songs? Mr. Black is clearly up to the task and easily manages the high screams from original vocalist Michael Oliveri. LEATHERWOLF played two new tracks, Live Or Die and Disconnect (if I am not mistaken). Both fitted well into the set list. Season Of The Witch, Spiter (Endangered Species, 1985), Thunder (Street Ready, 1989) and the fabulous The Calling (Leatherwolf, 1987) ended a remarkable concert.
If Wade Black learns to scream less and sing more there could be some great records coming up. Maybe the style and melody lines of Michael Oliveri are a hint on what direction he could develop. Original members Geoffrey Gayer (guitar), Paul Carmen (bass), Dean Roberts (drums) rocked the house, Eric Halpern is the new guitar player. At this moment Paul Carmen's engagement lasts only for several gigsm then Pete Perez (RIOT) should join LEATHERWOLF again.
Great band, superb songs, great gig.
FLOTSAM AND JETSAM
Wow, never thought I see them life. The time of FLOTSAM AND JETSAM were the 90's with great albums, big productions and tours to support the band. Although a major label artist they never made it big. It is a sad fact that the biggest news about FLOTSAM AND JETSAM is that their original bass player Jason Newsted joined METALLICA as replacement for Cliff Burton.
They are an original band with exceptional musicianship, but the lack of success seems to have taken it's toll. I always like the thrash metal delivered by the boys, especially when they were more melodic. My faves are the releases on MCA Records: When The Storm Comes Down, Quatro and Drift (not so much the debut Doomsday For The Deceiver and the follow up No Place For Disgrace). They then became independent artists again, releasing several albums (High in 1997, Unnatural Selection in 1999, My God in 2001, Dreams Of Death in 2005 as well as Live In Phoenix).
The set list focused on the old stuff, though I have problems recalling the songs I think there were, among otheres, Hammerhead, The Master Sleeps‚ Swatting At Flies, No Place For Disgrace, Escape From Within.
Eric A.K. on vocals still delivers and sounded just like on record. His nervous, restless stage performance isn't easy to follow! Ed Carlson was replaced by former member Mike Gilbert, who joined Mark Simpson (guitar), Jason Ward (bass) and Craig Nielsen (drums).
It was nice to finally see them live, though I can't help to be a little bit disappointed. Unfortunately, the magic of the songs didn't unfold to me as I would have expected. The show ended with a enjoyable version of BLACK SABBATH's Fairies Wear Boots.
VENGEANCE
Dutch VENGEANCE were (are!) one of the best European hard rock acts, originally formed by Arjen Lucassen (now AYREON, STAR ONE) and Leon Geowie. In his review Andrew recommended VENGEANCE's comeback CD those “that like it loud and simple ... and in your face!.” AND like to party, I have to add.
Two classic tracks opened the show, the great Take It Or Leave It and Rock'n'Roll Shower. Welcome to 1987! I got goose bumps all over. I couldn't believe how great they sounded. The band rocked themselves into heaven, obviously surprised by the enthusiastic welcome from the crowd. Every classic track was sung along by the fans. Even two tracks from the new (then unreleased) CD, the title track Back In The Ring and the fast midtempo rocker No Mercy couldn't break down the rock'n'roll party mood from the fans. May Heaven Strike Me Down (from 1986's We Have Ways To Make You Rock) cooled the crowd, Take Me To The Limit (1987's Take It Or Leave It) and finally the incredible Arabia (Arabia, 1989) closed the show.
At least it seemed to be the end of the show. Leon, who before acted like a true fun-loving rocker walked right up the catwalk, a water bottle in his hand, grinning like a child and emptying the bottle over him. He asked the crowd if they want more. Go figure. So he goes back and picks up another bottle of water. Same procedure. Did they want more? He goes back, again, coming back with a huge glas (1 litre) of beer, and placed it on his head. Bottom up, of course. It was really funny to see how the glass slowly emptied. Leon, soaking wet, then led the band to the final headbanger Power Of The Rock (We Have Ways To Make You Rock, 1986).
What can I say. They were back with a VENGEANCE. Apart from playing all my favorite tunes this was due to the solid rocking from the band as well as the vocal delivery of Leon Goewie, who was in an exceptional shape. For me one of the highlights of the festival.
RAVEN
I first listened to RAVEN in 1983, shortly after I bought their classic All For One album. Apart from still consisting of the original members, brothers John (vocals / bass) and Mark Gallagher (guitar) as well as drummer Joe Hasselvander, 2006 sees them at their own energetic yet chaotic on stage presence.
All For One, Breaking You Down, Rock Until You Drop, Take Control, Live At The Inferno, Break The Chain are some of the songs they played: Fast and furious!
Somehow even today their style is neither fish nor flesh. RAVEN had their time in the 80's, and I still like to listen to some of their classic repertoire (yes, also the Atlantic years). My favorite “Best Of” CD is the Live At The Inferno record from 1984. Most of the songs played at the Bang-Your-Head 2006 are already on this album, even though they recorded something about 14 full-length records in their career. This should tell you something about the hype that is made around the origins of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal band.
JON OLIVA'S PAIN
This was strange. Jon Oliva is a legend. I adore his musicianship, his songwriting potential, his repertoire. When his solo band, JON OLIVA'S PAIN, released their debut I was disappointed. I couldn'T connect. It took me some time to warm up to 'Tage Mahal , the debut.
Of course I expected most of the songs of the gig to be from 'Tage Mahal and one or two new songs and a few SAVATAGE classics.
What I call strange was that we witnessed a SAVATAGE concert with focus on the old songs, which I have to admit was a pleasant journey: Warrior (1985!), Sirens (1984!), Agony & Ecstasy and Jesus Saves (1991!), Hounds (dedicated to Chris Oliva) and Gutter Ballet (1989!) tell an obvious story. Avoiding SAVATAGE songs from the records he didn't sing lead vocals on, but including a track like DT Jesus, only The Dark and All The Time where PAIN's own songs. These two are so much retro classic SAVATAGE style you might not be surprised them to be demos from the Gutter Ballet sessions. Highlight, again, was a great rendition of SAVATAGE's Hall Of The Mountain King (1987!).
This was a good concert by a good band, really great songs and good lead vocals by the mountain king himself, Jon Oliva. The goal to establish JON OLIVA'S PAIN as an original band won't ever happen if his focus is on SAVATAGE material. I admit, I enjoyed this concert very much. JON OLIVA'S PAIN – the real SAVATAGE in 2006? I am anxious about the new record that should be released later this year.
DEATH ANGEL
Out of question that DEATH ANGEL are a very good band, with good musicians, a great performance and some classic thrash hits up their sleeve. Still, I did miss them, taking a break.
HELLOWEEN
I knew HELLOWEEN would bring with them a big stage production, and so I was prepared on the large backdrops and themes displayed on stage.
HELLOWEEN just released Keeper Of The Seven Keys III – The Legacy, trying to find their way back to the classic h(appy)eavy metal style they found and had their biggest success with. I think Keeper III is a very strong album, one of the best in the HELLOWEEN discography. If you loved the Keeper parts when they were released, be sure to check out Keeper III. This new album builds a bridge from past to present in a most likable way.
The King For A 1000 Years started a good, but not brilliant concert. Nearly 14 minutes long, it enjoyed some pyrotechnic extravaganza and introduced the crowd to the legacy of the keeper. Eagle Fly Free (Keeper II, 1988), A Tale That Wasn't Right (Keeper I, 1987), the great If I Could Fly (from the underrated The Dark Ride, 2000) and Power ((The Time Of The Oath, 1996) set the pace.
Andy Deris is a singer extraordinary and a great showman. The renewed line up (Sascha Gertner / Dani Löble) works well, although I have to say that HELLOWEEN never were the tightest performers, at least when I've seen them. The overall sound was not up to my expectations, but HELLOWEEN have songs that wrote metal history, and it was good to hear them.
Of course they played Halloween (the song) in full length, then turning to the hit songs like Future World, I Want Out, Dr. Stein and the new single, Mrs. God.
The encore was a surprise. HELLOWEEN were joined by ex-BLACK SABBATH singer TONY MARTIN, celebrating together the incredible Headless Cross.
FOREIGNER
Are these guys FOREIGNER? Or is Mick Jones, last surviving founding member, FOREIGNER? Let me put it this way. As long as Mick Jones succeeds in having so many great musicians in his band I'm fine with that.
Secondly, and far more importantly, Mick found a magnificent singer in Kelly Hansen. Kelly, ex-HURRICANE, fits perfectly into the style and feeling of old and new FOREIGNER songs. Stop. Claiming that he could sing new songs would give you the wrong impression. Check the songs: Double Vision, Head Games, Dirty White Boy, Cold As Ice, Starrider (Mick Jones on vocals), Feels Like The First Time, Urgent and Jukebox Hero where released latest 1981. Wow. I mean, wow!! Mick Jones is on a retro trip. He beefs up Jukebox Hero with Led Zep's Whole Lotta Love, jams like hell and leads the FOREIGNER show to it's climax with Hot Blooded.
Whenever you get a chance to see them, go to the concert. This version of FOREIGNER is the strongest you can see. Ok, I would like that someone tells Jeff Pilson that he's not in Dokken anymore, he overdoes his stage acting a bit. The sidemen where rock solid, Jason Bonham is a class on his own. Mick Jones is the star, but Kelly Hansen has a very entertaining and sympathetic way to present himself as second in line.
Fabulous! Go write some new stuff, Mick!!
IN FLAMES
I was curious to see how headliners IN FLAMES where going to prove to be a worthy headliner. They didn't. Oh, the show (lights, sound, pyrotechnics) was great. Not being familiar with the songs I couldn't relate to one single song. No refrain, no melody, something where PANTERA definitely did succeed on another level. IN FLAMES are very popular in Germany, the headlining slot is justified. The (pseudo?) anti-commercial approach of singer Anders Fridén and his understanding of entertainment showed in his “communication” with the fans. Maybe he was enjoying his odd humor, but winning fans over he was not. Not surprising to me there was absolutely nothing to hear in between the songs from the crowd. Just silence apart from a some die-hard fans up front who loved to hear their idols.
Saturday
I didn't plan to be on the Bang-Your-Head, and boy, what would have I missed! On a personal note it was nice to meet & talk with Oddleif Stensland from COMMUNIC, who wrote a song called Ocean Bed which I liked so much that I named my new band after them. Also ... wait. Let's take one step at a time.
On a last minute decision I joined the second day of the festival, missing POWERWOLF, ANVIL and VICTORY. VICTORY just added new singer Jioti Parcharidis and drummer Achim Keller (PUMP) to the original line up of Peter Knorn (bass), Tommy Newton and Herman Frank (both guitar). Their latest release Fuel To The Fire was a re-recording of their classics, featuring the new voice. They decided to release this record because there was no possibility for the management to get the classic records of VICTORY re-released on CD. In 2006 they played some Club gigs, one officially broadcasted on German TV. Jioti sounds like a good mixture of his predecessors Charlie Huhn and Fernando Garcia. Infos: http://www.victory-music.com/ !
I also missed COUNT RAVEN, UNLEASHED and even ARMORED SAINT, which I was truly sorry for. THE SAINT are a mighty band on stage, always a pleasure to watch.
PRETTY MAIDS where the first on my bill. Several months ago I wasn't even sure they still existed, but they were back in full swing. A slightly more melodic setlist included Rock The House, Love Games, Wouldn't Miss You, Yellow Rain, Virtual Brutality, Live Until It Hurts and Back To Back. The band sounded tight and smooth, singer Ronnie Atkins and guitar slinger Ken Hammer led their team supremely good. PRETTY MAIDS concluded their homecoming with Future World and Red, Hot And Heavy.
Y&T
It was a pleasure to finally see Y&T back in 2003. What a concert. 2006 we could renew this experience, but Y&T failed to impress like they did 3 years ago. It was a good concert, of course with excellent songs and the performance was emotional and flawless.
Hang 'Em High, Black Tiger, Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark, Dirty Girl, Hurricane, Rescue Me, Midnight In Tokyo, Mean Streak, I Believe In You and Forever are more or less the songs you always get to hear on a Y&T concert. The instrumental I'll Cry For You also is not a choice I would have made, regarding the superb repertoire of songs Y&T have at their disposal. Maybe next time with a few surprises in the set list?
RIK EMMETT
He was the main reason why I did everything to get to the concert on Saturday. And it was ... different. I knew RIK EMMETT has artistically developed into a different, more jazzy, folky and moodier direction. Announced as RIK EMMETT plays TRIUMPH songs, I expected him to find again that hard rocking energy that led him to write some of the greatest hard rock songs ever written.
What I saw was a jazz rock band trying to play a hard rock concert. Excellent musicians, but the punch of the drums, the raw energy and sound (especially the guitars) were not what I expect if you play classic TRIUMPH songs.
It was great to see Mr. Emmett in great shape, his voice is incredible, his playing one of a true guitar hero. I have also to say that I am not interested to listen again to such “nearly hard-rock” versions of Fight The Good Fight, Allied Forces (sung by the bass player), Rock'n'Roll Machine (sung bei the 2nd guitar player) or Lay It On The Line and, of course, Magic Power.
If you free yourself from such expectations, you witnessed a very good concert, with jazzy intros, an instrumental jam not far away from SATRIANI's Satch Boogie, and songs that most likely will never be played again by the original artist like Ordinary Man, Blinding Light Show or Hold On. I was left with mixed emotions.
STRATOVARIUS
Let's make it quick – I am not a fan of STRATOVARIUS, in my opinion they are a good band but I have yet to encounter any great or memorable songs. Yes, I do know the last 7 records. If anything, I like the most the last release Stratovarius from 2005, an album the “true” fans are not very fond of. After the turbulent events prior to the re-union with singer Timo Kotipelto things seem to have turned out good for the band. Harmony on stage, harmony before the stage where the fans are glad to have their favorites back. STRATOVARIUS proofed that they are a good choice for a co-headliner.
Good show, good playing, average songs.
WHITESNAKE
30 minutes late, David Coverdale led his renewed outfit into a good 70 minute set of Whitesnake classics. His voice was as good as it is these days, the band was perfect. Everyone who saw the DVD release of the London Hammersmith concert from 2003 knew exactly what to expect.
Mr. Coverdale enjoyed the catwalk, standing right in the audience, and addressed the crowd excusing himself for being late by claiming technical problems and stating “Ick bin kein Axl Rose” (I am not Axl Rose). This won the audience over, though I know better regarding the true reasons behind the late start.
Fans will, I guess, never understand why a headliner with millions of unforgettable tunes will use a limited, shorter playing time to display a drum solo, guitar solos and an instrumental piece featuring Doug Aldrich, Reb Beach, Timothy Drury and new kid Uriah Duffy (bass). Hey, I am a guitar player, and these guys rock, but I would have loved to hear more songs – and singing from Mr. Coverdale. Mmmmh.
Burn and Stormbringer, can there be a better start into a heavy rock concert? After Slide It In, Fool For Your Loving, Whitesnake were giving the audience a break with Is This Love. We then listened to the above mentioned solos, a band jam, then Crying In The Rain including the drum solo, Here I Go Again and finally Still Of The Night.
David Coverdale couldn't wait to end the concert and impatiently (and unintended) cursed into a microphone were the bloody fireworks was. He made the impression that he couldn't get fast enough from the stage. As you might know, the fireworks closes the Saturday show, and a few minutes later we could indeed enjoy a nice fireworks event.
Thanks everyone at the “Heavy”-magazine for making this another great event, Horst & Jagger as well as Thomas Michel to name a few. Thanks for letting us participate.
CU next year.
Sven Horlemann for www.melodicrock.com
