Sadly, I did not have the chance to see CLOVEN HOOF's first visit to Greece, in March 2004. Thus, the anticipation was really strong for witnessing one of the best ever British Metal bands onstage. In addition, the legends' latest The Definitive Part I CD release - featuring re-recorded versions of the band's classics - should have pointed out an extra attention by classic Metal fans, resulting in a desired club of extra metalheads waiting to be entertained by this West Midlands outfit. Well, neither the attendance was pleasing nor the organizers helped in spending a 100% nice evening.
One hour after the officially announced kick-off, Greek metallers RAGENHEART hit the stage. A quintet featuring one guitar and keyboards, RAGENHEART I was told being a great hope for Greek Heavy Metal with their 2006 demo, entitled In The Name Of God. Failing to release a real 'album' so far - their collaboration with Burning Star Records ended unexpectedly due to the label's sudden evanescence last year - they are still considered a high hope, something they did actually prove onstage, too.
The sound was not proper, of course (get used to it!), resulting in an isolation between instruments, while the equilibrium in output volume would not fit the band's needs. Sad, since RAGENHEART performed a very good portion of wraithlike Heavy/Power/near-Prog Metal in the vein of DIO (performed a take on Egypt (The Chains Are On)),QUEENSRYCHE, CRIMSON GLORY and LETHAL or SAVIOUR MACHINE. The singer, John, has an astonishing voice featuring both maturity and US Metal tension, while his 'clean' throat offered a back-up elevation for the key's atmosphere, too. The rhythm section was fitting and Angel's guitars - even 'pale' in the PA's mix - offered a good doze of artistic Metal attitude. Sorry to say, few people were there at the time to ensure RAGENHEART truly deserves something good in the genre's bazaar.
An 'old dog' climbed onstage shortly afterwards: DREAM WEAVER is one of the oldest Metal bands still in performance, with a mystique Power/Epic/Heavy blend that has raised a 'cult' atmosphere in Greek Metal fans' ranks. As a quintet now, with a second guitar, DREAM WEAVER has also thrown a rope to the 'current' Scandinavian Metal sounds (IN FLAMES etc), creating something that equally delivers joy to respective listeners but - in my mind - does not flood security.
Hence, in older tunes things went crazy while in more recent stuff there was some more stand-alone breeze. Nonetheless, George Zacharoglou remains a respected guitarist_figure and Jim Marchou sung actually great (the backing vocals kicked major ass, too).
Russ North's soaring figure was welcomed with relief as CLOVEN HOOF hit the stage. One of the more underrated voice in Metal music, Russ successfully delivered what the band managed to play (many said his throat is even better now than in the 80s), while the cult figure of Lee Payne saluted the beginning for some enchanting hour of CH live. Inquisitor lit the fire, with Nova Battlestar creating the first doze of frenzy in the pit; a unique tune from the Dominator album, unveiling CLOVEN HOOF's sect ability to step both into Heavy and Epic Metal.
Astral Rider - from my favorite A Sultan's Ransom album - would not let anyone with hands down, while Kiss Of Evil (from 2006's reunion Eye Of The Sun comeback) offered some mid-pace lunacy. As Russ said, none was born to the times of Gehenna (Jewish hell), but Gates of Gehenna we all entered that time; a song counting more than 25 years but still a up-pounding epos. And then...
...Reach for The Sky - a CH 'hit'? - set the place on fire; simply cannot resist to the quality and lurking supremacy of this song. Yeap, North's vocals remain intact. Lee's pounding - along with his nonstop headbanging - sees the label of CLOVEN HOOF anno 2008 - and the guitars along Jon Brown's drumming create a sentimental feel for what's in a metalhead's heart. Mutilator - from the band's forthcoming album, Throne of Damnation, paved the way for some powerthrashing Metal stuff, received with mixed feelings by the attendants (not more than 120-150 people?), while the bells of Notre Dame rolled us back to metallic reverence. Road Of Eagles vengeance and Laying Down The Law's rockin' feel followed shortly after, but...
...it was time for CLOVEN HOOF to hop off after not more than an hour of concert. Rather with a startled look, it took some time to realize the gig was over, then suspiciously being informed (by 'offline' chat) that the venue was to be prepared for hosting a Metal mag's party, hence the chopped performance. Hell no...
What CLOVEN HOOF offered in its short performance was clear and visible. Great singing by Russ North (his high-pitched shrieks still haunt), a generous bass offer by Lee Payne with nothing less than descent metallic lust, a general 'thumbs up' performance by the band, an in-adequate sound - at least in the guitars - and a strong reaction by the limited audience. We really had a great time watching this high-esteem British act onstage, still it would be better if the dinner was served in a whole with a better sound (get used to it!)...
