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Chapter 2: Exploding in International Waters – Day 2
By Gilberto Morais
MEET & GREET (12:15 – 0:15) – MOONLIGHT DINING ROOM
On this day, the Meet & Greet took place at this restaurant, the schedule of which, including times and artists, was released along with the Running Order. Each band was given at least half an hour to meet and greet fans.
With that said, let's get straight to what matters: THE SHOWS OF THE DAY!
ONSLAUGHT (13:00 –13:45) – POOL DECK
“SPITTING BLOOD IN THE FACE OF GOD!” Oh yes, this is the opening and title track of the album “Killing Peace”. Onslaught is an English band from Bristol, whose roots are somehow related to the punk/hardcore scene along with Death Metal; listen to their debut album “Power from Hell” and you'll understand what I mean. Furthermore, Nige Rockett, the band's leader, is a Discharge fanatic.
Firstly, it's a mystery to me why England, the birthplace of Heavy Metal, not only because of the NWOBHM bands but also the precursors like Sabbath, Motorhead, and Priest, has produced so few relevant Thrash Metal bands to this day, compared to Germany and the USA. Being a thrash metal fanatic, I can only remember two: Xentrix and Dearly Béeaded, bands that ceased activities some time ago.
Hey, my friends, if you like straightforward Thrash, without the added groove elements typical of the Bay Area, go for it. Onslaught is more in line with bands like Slayer, Dark Angel, or German Thrash, but with its own style and identity. It doesn't sound like the aforementioned bands, but rather is closer to and more related to those described above.
A while back, drummer and founding member Steve Grice, present throughout the group's catalog, left the band for personal reasons, and they brought in former Extreme Noise Terror member Michael Hourihan to replace him. Composed of the core formed by the other founding member, guitarist Nige Rockett, and vocalist Sy Keller from the classic album *The Force*, and especially after their return, Onslaught continues to play in a solid and cohesive manner, getting better every day as time goes by, ever since the album *Killing Peace* was released, one of my favorites.
For unknown reasons, lead guitarist Andy Ross Davies was absent once again and was replaced by the guy who filled in during the last European tour, where they celebrated the anniversary of the album The Force. The setlist was basically balanced: a general overview of the hits along with songs from the latest album "Sounds of Violence". The highlights were: Killing Peace, Born for War, Let There Be Death and Power from Hell, for sure! For the first time, a large mosh pit and circle pit were noticeable. Needless to say, if Onslaught couldn't drive the bangers crazy, who could? Only Kreator, I suppose. And the sun was shining brightly!
FATAL SMILE (13:45 – 14:30) – SPECTRUM LOUNGE
Still relatively unknown outside of Northern Europe, Fatal Smile is one of the emerging Swedish hard rock bands from the local scene of the last decade, featuring those typical sleazy elements in their songs. Having a base in Germany, where they've performed regularly several times, I knew who they were. Actually, I discovered them by chance. Back in 2008, I saw the band for the first time opening for Dio in Scandinavia; I checked out the show and they were amazing! At that time, they had just released the excellent album "World of Domination," an exceptional surprise. In truth, I became more interested in them than in most bands from that country like Crashdiet, Hardcore Superstars, and HEAT, just to name a few.
Blade, the vocalist and fantastic frontman of this Stockholm quartet, speaks excellent English, and it seemed the band was destined for success. Furthermore, some songs on this album were destined to become hits. With that introduction, allow me to explain what came next. The drummer left the band, and they stayed out of the spotlight for a while before returning with a new album: 21st Century Freaks.
Ignore the new makeup look, which doesn't matter, what happened to them? Where did that incredible performance from the past (2008 and 2009) go? No, the show wasn't bad, but they've been much better than the two recent performances. Although I missed the beginning of the show due to a conflict with Onslaught's set, and ended up missing it, I was really looking forward to seeing them perform after three years without seeing them.
It's difficult to pick a highlight. The new songs weren't as good compared to the World Domination era. The set included a ballad dedicated to the memory of the great Ronnie James Dio, and thankfully, two of my favorite songs from "World Domination" were played: "Run for Your Life" and, closing by popular demand, "SOB". That's it! It wasn't bad! But I know the guys can perform better.
JAM WITH JEFF WATERS (4:00 PM – 6:00 PM) – BOLEROS
Presented by none other than the master of riffs Jeff Waters (Annihilator), it was incredibly fun, not only for the audience but also for the musicians themselves who participated in this All Star Jam. Although it wasn't necessary, if you're looking to meet your idols, this was THE PLACE! Several guys showed up to check out the jam.
Anyway, let me recount my experience last night as I was heading to dinner. I was about to take the elevator, and a few seconds before, I ran into Jeff Waters. Having exchanged a couple of emails with him a while back, I was 100% certain, in addition to the interviews, that the guy was super nice, easygoing, and would be friendly when asked for a photo or autograph. However, I must attest to how happy he was when I told him we were from Brazil. The reaction in his eyes and face confirms how much he enjoyed playing here for the first time. That said, it's clear he wasn't being diplomatic or stringing us along when he was here, and he confirmed that Annihilator will be back very soon and he can't wait to come here and meet his local fans. This shows why he's amazing, and not just with his skill on the 6 strings.
Returning to the jam session itself, I noticed a lot of musicians arriving at the venue. Before showtime, they were either ordering drinks at the bar or warming up for the jam. The atmosphere was fantastic: pure celebration, fun, and camaraderie, in full force.
Among them, it is worth mentioning the participation of Doro, Nick Douglas (Doro), Edward Carlson & Michael Gilbert (Flotsam and Jetsam), James Rivera (Helstar), Ronny Munro (Metal Church), Victor Smolski (Rage), Jeff Williams (Onslaught), George Kollias (Nile), Mille Petrozza (Kreator, etc.) and Jeff Waters, certainly.
By the way, Jeff introduced all the guests before each song. The set consisted of classic Rock and Roll and Heavy Metal (Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Metallica, etc.). Unfortunately, I could only stay for the first 45 minutes because of the show that followed. That's it, folks!
ANGRA (17:00 – 18:00) – CHORUS LINE THEATER
I'm sure you, my Brazilian followers, are eagerly awaiting news about this show, and I won't disappoint you. The wait is over!
Angra played live for the first time after a hiatus of almost a year and a half away from the stage. Meanwhile, the new vocalist has not yet been confirmed. For this reason, none other than Fabio Lione (Rhapsody, Vision Divine) shared the stage with the guys as a special guest for these performances. Aware of his talent, I could only expect something close to perfection, and he did not disappoint me, delivering a great performance. It doesn't matter if you like the aforementioned Italian bands or not, but you have to recognize his qualities as a top vocalist. It's no wonder that Kamelot had to recruit him to replace Roy Khan when the Norwegian left the American band.
Taking the hiatus into consideration, Angra delivered a good performance, and I'm sure they can still improve. In any case, it takes time, even with their musical abilities. Although both Rafael Bittencourt and Kiko Loureiro have remained busy and active, playing some recent shows to promote their side project and solo album, respectively, I had the feeling that the band as a whole was a bit rusty, which is perfectly normal. In any case, the show marked a new rebirth for the band, and the future still looks promising. After all, they can still review and understand what went wrong and get the band back on track.
Aside from Fabio's performance, something caught my attention, and let me make a comparison related to Jeff Waters:
Although they have very different styles, that's clear, Rafael Bittencourt, "The Maestro," has something very much in common with Jeff Waters. Beyond musicality, both are guitarists who learned to be true vocalists, not merely guitarists who sing, but high-quality vocalists, highly developed in this task and who have perfected themselves over time.
I'm bringing this up in this thread because Jeff Waters sang "Seek and Destroy" (Metallica) before this show, and believe me, he was just singing the song, not playing guitar, as we're used to and expected. Later, Rafael was introduced by Lione and took over the microphone, singing "Rage of Waters." Although I don't like this song, his vocal performance was spectacular. At no point did I miss Edu Falaschi on this track. Solid vocals. Congratulations!
I came to understand how obscure the band is outside of Japan, Latin America, and Latin Europe, markets that are favorable to the band's style. The audience was basically composed of their Brazilian and Latin American fanbase. I didn't notice the presence of North Americans or Europeans. Finally, I would like to point out the following highlights: Fabio Lione, "Nothing to Say", "Waiting Silence", "Millenium Sun", "Nova Era", and the end of the set with "Gentle Change".
EVERGREY (18:00 – 19:00) – POOL DECK
There's one thing I don't like about the festival's schedule. Because the stages are arranged on different decks, you're forced to go back and forth to see the shows. Having said that, I hope the organizers will modify these complicated schedules, allowing at least a 10-minute break between the end of one set and the beginning of the next. That way, the audience and members of the press won't miss many interesting shows for nothing.
To begin, I must admit upfront that I don't know much about the Swedish band, and this is why I won't be highlighting the show's best songs. I apologize for this, but I want to share my impressions and try to describe the atmosphere and any relevant facts that need to be mentioned. It wouldn't be honest with you, my followers, to simply list the setlist and mislead you with something I can't comment on in detail.
Evergrey is basically represented by the charismatic figure of its frontman, guitarist and vocalist, Tom Englund. Their sound is typical of European Prog Power Metal, and their instrumental performance is flawless.
Despite losing a few minutes during the stage transition, Evergrey delivered an excellent performance. I felt the audience reacted very positively and were enjoying the show. In fact, it was much better than the last time I saw the band live two years ago. It's a shame I had to leave before the end for my next commitment.
DORO (19:00 – 20:00) – POOL DECK
Ladies and Gentlemen, please salute the one and only, the Queen of Metal: DORO PESCH!
Hey, folks! Is there anything that hasn't already been said about DORO?
Doro is a personality that needs no introduction! This lady from Düsseldorf, Germany, who has been living in the USA for quite some time, is celebrating the 30th Anniversary of her glorious career.
Accompanied by a solid and cohesive band comprised of longtime members Nick Douglas (bass) and Johnny Dee (drums), as well as the excellent guitarists Luca Princiotta and Bas Maas, Doro represents everything that Heavy Metal stands for.
What I like most about her is that Doro is real, authentic, and not a character or fake. There are a lot of people who pretend to be nice people on stage, and when you meet them in person, they're disgusting. Thank God, Doro is a good example and influence for the world and for business too! The way you see her on stage is exactly how she is in real life. Very human, friendly, cool, etc. I love you, Doro! Be this way forever. I believe this is the reason why she is admired and respected worldwide; not only because of her talent, but also her behavior and above all the affection and treatment she gives her fans as human beings.
Before I wrap up, let me tell you something funny about her. No, I'm not making fun of her, I would never do that. But it's interesting. I've seen a couple of her shows, including the 25th Anniversary in Düsseldorf, and I noticed this. In the beginning, when I didn't speak German, sometimes I didn't understand what Doro meant during some of her speeches on stage. Finally, I understood what was happening. Doro sometimes mixes English with German when she plays in Germany. This being my first show of hers after a long time away from Germany, I was curious to see if the same thing would happen and if she would speak German in international waters too. Bingo! I don't blame her for that; sometimes it's hard to imagine where we are.
Her setlist was well-balanced, composed of a mix of her solo career and Warlock tracks. It's difficult to select the best, but I can't fail to mention "Earthshake Rock," "We Are the Metalheads" (an anthem written to promote Wacken Open Air); "All We Are," "Für Immer," and the new song "Raise Your First in the Air," conceived to be part of her setlist from now on.
LACUNA COIL (20:00 – 21:00) – POOL DECK
Another debut to follow. Taking my experience with Evergrey as an example, you can see that I'm not familiar with Lacuna Coil either. And furthermore, due to the already known reasons (change of venues), I would miss the beginning of the set as planned.
That being said, Lacuna Coil was on fire. I was amazed at how energetic and vibrant their performance was. Could it be their Latin blood? While not to my liking, I was by no means expecting the spectacular way this show would turn out.
The perfect combination and contrast between Cristina Scabbia and Andrea Ferro's vocals drove the audience wild. Up to this point, without exaggeration, this had been one of the best shows of the day, and this is coming from someone who doesn't care at all about their career. Which means their fans probably witnessed the show of their lives.
The highlights of this performance, as far as I remember, were: Senzafine (sung in Italian) and Fragile.
RAGE & LINGUA MORTIS ORCHESTRA (21:00 – 22:15) – CHORUS LINE THEATER
Hmm, if someone told me that Rage Against the Machine was going to play in the US, I wouldn't believe it. That would be enough for me not to trust them. If this absurd story went much further, reporting that not only Rage Against the Machine, but also Lingua Mortis would be playing a show in the US, I would immediately ask: "Excuse me, but what drugs have you been taking lately?"
Not enough? Still not convinced? How about a Rage Against the Machine show with Lingua Mortis on a metal-themed cruise ship? Impossible? No, actually, no! This really happened under the conditions described above in the headline.
Actually, this was one of the shows I most wanted to see. Believe me, despite living in Germany for four and a half years, I had never seen anything like it there until now. Of course, I'm talking about Rage Against the Machine with Lingua Mortis, not regular concerts, which are quite common in this country.
Despite the delay at the start of the performance, the opening track was nothing less than one of my favorites: "From the Cradle to the Grave". It's unfair not to mention one person in particular who made all this possible: Maestro Victor Smolski (guitarist). Please tell me what this guy did to play guitar like this! He's not human! Unfortunately, I missed something the ship offers you offstage. According to witnesses, Victor Smolski played a couple of classical pieces on the piano while relaxing in his free time, the same piano used by the award-winning Ukrainian pianist Vika Yermolyeva, invited to play well-known Metal classics during the event.
Returning to the set, the trio was accompanied by about 8 members of the orchestra, including a keyboardist, cello guitarist, etc., and a singer. The first performance was one of the highlights of the entire event. The choice of the Chorus Line Theater stage for the two performances was more than appropriate and successful.
Classical interludes were performed alongside typical Rage Against the Machine songs, and the combination was perfect. During the performance, Peavey Wagner, the band's leader, took the microphone and commented that this was conceived well before Metallica decided to play with the San Francisco Orchestra and release the world-renowned S&M, which is true.
Once again, it's quite difficult to remember the highlights of this perfect performance, but besides "From the Cradle to the Grave," they killed it with tracks like "Turn the Page" and the final song, "Empty Hollow.".
KREATOR (22:15 – 23:15) – POOL DECK
Did you notice I haven't mentioned Kreator yet? Don't worry! They were one of the last bands to perform at 70,000 Tons, so it took me a while to describe this horde of chaos.
To begin with, there's no such thing as a bad time when it comes to a Kreator show. Even if everything goes wrong, it's still likely to be a fantastic show.
Kreator, along with bands like Overkill, can be considered one of the most energetic and precise of all time. Unfortunately, I noticed a small change compared to their last European tour, which ran until the end of last December: the 3D stage wasn't brought to this event. Okay, that was to be expected; it would have been very expensive and there wouldn't have been a return on investment for just two shows on the boat. I'm not complaining, but it would have been too much if the cost hadn't been prohibitive.
Back to the show, the opening track was the title track from their new album, "Phantom Antichrist." Mille, Ventor, Sami, and Speedy are the longest-lasting lineup, together since 2001. So, not only because of their longevity, but because they know each other so well, their synergy is like a Swiss watch, so precise.
Aside from the cohesion, it was fun watching the circles and mosh pits forming, which kept getting bigger and bigger. Besides that, Kreator is a universal institution. In the middle of the circles, there were a ton of people from all over the world: North Americans, South Americans, and Europeans, and when you put them all together, it's not going to be good, the result is pure chaos: "good friendly, violent fun," as Exodus used to say.
I missed a few songs in this set, however, it was clear that the band would vary it in the next one and they did exactly that. The highlights were: Coma of Souls + Endless Pain, Extreme Aggression; Violent Revolution; Enemy of God and People of the Lie. Yes, they didn't play the traditional final medley with Flag of Hate + Tormentor this time.
GOTTHARD (0:30 – 1:30) – POOL DECK
The last show I saw tonight was the Swiss hard rock band Gotthard. Like Rage Against the Machine, I didn't expect Gotthard to play in the US. Anyway, thanks to the promoters, there they were.
Well known in their native country and also in neighboring German-speaking countries, Gotthard plays typical European hard rock, heavily inspired by the 70s.
Despite the still recent tragedy regarding the loss of its founding member, Steve Lee, Leo Leoni decided to move forward and thankfully the band is in great shape! The new vocalist, the fantastic Swiss-Australian Nic Maeder, has duly honored the legacy left by the one and only Steve Lee. He not only manages to sing the old songs the way you expect from someone who respects the band's history, but also demonstrates all his talent and personal touch, charisma and ability as a songwriter.
Taking into account the entire tour and not just these two shows, this gives us confidence that the band is playing in a cohesive and solid manner, as they used to. It doesn't even seem like they've been out of the circuit for over two years.
All the band members did a great job tonight: Marc Lynn, Freddy Scherer, etc. Personally, I think the new album Firebirth is much better than the last one with Steve Lee, which I didn't like.
Highlights of the set included songs like: Dream On, Gone Too Far, and the highly anticipated Lift U Up and Anytime Anywhere, closing the show.
Goodnight!
Click here to read Chapter 3.
NEXT: CHAPTER 3 – REST: YOU ARE IN THE BEAUTIFUL TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS – DAY 3
SPECIAL THANKS: Allison Painchaud (The Ultimate Metal Cruises)
Jan Rosenberg & Björn von Oettingen (CMM Marketing)
*This text was written by a Wikimate and does not necessarily represent the opinions of the site's authors.
Click here to see other texts by WikiBrother Gilberto Morais!