Day One
[DimK] Intro: Nothing could go wrong; three friends, one insatiable thirst for Metal and a 'true' festival were something more than an assurance for an excellent trip to Germany. Indeed, this year's 'Keep It True' festival had plenty to offer and not only for the 30- something years old fans who knew all those bands from the very beginning. You have to have your ears wide open in these festivals and be ready to absorb all the new experiences and of course the music itself. So, we arrived one day before the festival's kick off and we had some spare time to drink beer outside the festival surroundings and of course do some sightseeing (always in the Metal way).

We got one hour before the door opening on purpose; we had to get into the 'KIT' atmosphere and to meet some people that we all knew via e mail. Erika (the mag's photo machine gun) was also there and our meeting was an excellent 'excuse' to grab the first beer of the festival and start the beer-meets-Metal marathon.

[Greg] Running towards the first piles of LPs in the Metal market stalls(?) at the back side of the fest area, it was about time for IN SOLITUDE to hit the stage. They succeeded in gathering a respected amount of fans in the front rows - bearing in mind this was the opening act of the whole fest - and there's a pretty good reason 'bout this: the Uppsala-based Swedish metallers released their debut album not long ago and they instantly gained some good recognition among the 'classic' Metal circles. Their MERCYFUL FATE plus gloomy NWOBHM mix was stylishly presented in full professionalism plus a generous backing sound.

They seem to be rather young in age but their set exposed some serious work rarely seen in rookie bands - unless if you're located in Scandinavia, haha. Having the first couple of beers, it was great to bang along to nice tracks like In The Darkness, Kathedral and Witches Sabbath. The singer - dressed in a goth_dark style - delivered some intense singing while the 'rich' guitar themes_leads confirmed they can be an 'ace' for the band. Overall, a 'thumbs up!' performance. If I can recall well, this was IN SOLITUDE's setlist:

01. In The Darkness
02. 7th Ghost
03. The Monolith
04. Faceless Mistress
05. Temple Of The Unknown
06. Beyond Is Where I Learn
07. Kathedral
08. Witches Sabbath

[DimK] After the very good and definitely impressive performance by IN SOLITUDE, ATLANTEAN KODEX were the next on the billing. Without knowing what to expect I relied on Yiannis DK's words of wisdom, who said that it would be nice, since epic Metal is always good for festivals. This band was formed in 2006, has two EP releases and consequently little on-stage experience. The started their gig with the epic The White Ship Taped that sounded very good to my ears. But it was so long for a concert opener that eventually the first signs of boredom made a strong appearance. I think that the band should have chosen shorter -in time duration- tracks or even revised a little their songs because you cannot expect much from the crowd that in general does not know you. I managed to stay for another song before the second hand vinyls drew my attention, leaving ATLANTEAN KODEX to conclude the setlist shown below without me...

ATLANTEAN KODEX setlist:

01. The White Ship Taped
02. From Shores Forsaken
03. Atlantean Kodex
04. Marching Homeward
05. A Prophet In the Forest
06. The Hidden Folk

[DimK] After my walk around the market I found myself waiting for ASKA to take over the stage. This Texas, USA based band made quite a fuss in the Metal scene with the latest release of Absolute Power. The opening track was Angels Of War from the Avenger album that immediately earned the crowd's attention with the solid rhythm section and the sing-along chorus. It was clear that ASKA were determined to earn some new fans that evening and I believe they did so. George Call drew most of the attention as he did his best to connect and communicate with the fans raising the overall party mood even more. His voice was powerful and clear delivering this energetic Power Metal to the limit. It is not strange that he is also the singer for the Power metallers OMEN. Despite the band's US ancestry the strong Power Metal influences from the German scene justified the fact that they received an enthusiastic response from the 'Keep It True' crowd. The epic Longships was my personal highlight and the reason that I bought Absolute Power the moment ASKA left the stage. The band did Crown Of Thorns and left everyone satisfied to have a beer refill and prepare for the next band. Personally, I was more than satisfied that this band earned me as a fan by just watching them live!

ASKA setlist:

01. Angels Of War
02. The Stalker
03. Leprosy
04. Invasion
05. Immortal
06. Valkyries
07. Longships
08. Crown Of Thorns

[Greg] While being sad to read the announcement that 'cult' NWOBHM heroes HELL was forced to cancel their 'Keep It True XII' set, shortly after the replacement was to be found: CLOVEN HOOF still kicks heavy ass and who'd miss one of the most exciting British Metal bands ever walked on earth?

The fans saluted the band's appearance on-stage while the Payne / North duo had the looks that kill... Ready for the battle? Even many more fans gathered in front of the stage as soon as the powerful riffs of Inquisitor struck us like lightning. Along with Mutilator (Thrash Metal made by NWOBHM legends?), the band also provided a (time-wise) brief yet astonishing set of their portfolio and in songs like Nova Battlestar, Astral Rider and Highlander (yes, they played this hymn!) CLOVEN HOOF proved why they were_are much more than just a British Metal band.
With an impressive sound supporting the demanding music, the Hoofs simply made it: it's not a simple thing raising fire with just a short set, and the fact that the majority of the metalheads gathered in the hall at that time screamed and shouted in ease does not mean something less than deep respect for a band that runs its second youth.
CLOVEN HOOF's setlist:

01. Inquisitor
02. Nova Battlestar
03. Astral Rider
04. Mistress Of The Forest
05. Mutilator
06. Highlander
07. Road Of Eagles
08. Laying Down The Law

[YiannisDK] Next in line were the bulldozer called RUTHLESS. A fantastic USA band with two great -I mean very great- releases, the mini album Metal Without Mercy (1984) and the full length Discipline Of Steel two years later. RUTHLESS had written some of the best songs in the pure USA Heavy Metal style containing testosterone vocals, heavy riffing that could explode your head and generally so much power that could melt your bollocks and proclaim endless pussy fluid cascade. The lineup included the original members of Sami De John in vocals, Ken McGee in guitars, Jack Black in bass plus Bob Guitrau in drumming and -the surprise- Jim Durkin (yes, from DARK ANGEL) in the guitar.

The first track was The Gates Of Hell and what is to say when you start with such a song? It simply cannot go bad. They played almost all of the EP songs, the only one that they didn't touch was Fever, two tracks from the album (the self titled epic tune and the Sign Of The Cross). Last, they decided to include Winds Of War, an unreleased old track that will be used for a forth coming re-release of their first EP. I liked them very much because they had really super songs. I would like more guitar power in some points, more energy on the stage but if you realize that they were dead for so long time then you can say it was a good show. I am just wondering how it would be if I had the chance of seeing them back in the mid 80s in their country in a full length show...

RUTHLESS setlist:

01. The Gates Of Hell
02. Metal Without Mercy
03. Bury The Axe
04. Winds Of War
05. Discipline Of Steel
06. The Mass Killer
07. The Sign Of The Cross

[YiannisDK] It was about time for the band that was the main reason for me to come to 'Keep It True' this year. EXUMER may not be the most important Thrash Metal band that ever came from Germany but -without a doubt- side A of the 1986 Possessed By Fire LP still gives me terrible headbanging pains. Unfortunately, I missed the very beginning since the Peruvian lust of smoking forced all the Metal Temple team to run outside after every band's performance. As I entered in, the sounds of Winds Of Death made me transform into a Thrash maniac and then came Journey To Oblivion. Strange way to open this live having in the guitar Paul Arakari who was the bassist / vocalist of the second album. He also did the vocals for the Rising From The Sea tracks while Mem Von Stein did all the rest.

Except them, the original member Ray Mensch was on the other guitar and on bass and drums His Eminence The Wicked and J.P. Rapp, respectively. I felt that the band didn't have as many rehearsals as needed and their performance was at least weak. The other negative thing for me was the image of Mem Von Stein; I believe it didn't fit to the original material since he looked like a SEPULTURA or PANTERA member. They also played a new track but it was very weak and I prefer one thousand times more their old stuff. What I liked most was the brilliant idea they had and chose to play the ultimate SLAYER mimic dynamite Decimation and the worst of the worst was the butchering of the almighty solo in Destructive Solution. Where is the solo? Same happened with the last track, Possessed By Fire. I don't know, maybe they had time problems or anything else but I just wanted the solo. Lastly, I am glad that I saw them, sometimes I enjoyed the gig but I definitely expected more.

EXUMER setlist:

01. Winds Of Death
02. Journey To Oblivion
03. Fallen Saint
04. Decimation
05. Sorrows Of The Judgment
06. I Dare You
07. Waking The Fire
08. Xiron Darkstar
09. Destructive Solution
10. Possessed By Fire

[Greg] Who'd imagine we'd give the chance to watch EXXPLORER live in Europe? Well, that's what festivals like 'Keep It True' are for! The band responsible for one of the most underrated albums of 80s US Metal music (yeap, Symphonies Of Steel of course!) developed some not that easy-to-listen-to songwriting back then plus their next two albums (A Recipe For Power and Coldblackugly) did suffer from the true(?) Metal fans weak response - I do like the Recipe... CD a lot, by the way. Hence, I was kinda curious - while grabbing a second pair of beers to accompany the NJ-located quintet's recital - if EXXPLORER would live up to the expectations of their fans plus honoring the fest's standards.

The band played really good, while Lennie Rizo delivered some really great singing (bearing in mind the debut album was issued in 1985) and the City Streets opener prepared us for some really unforgettable experience. Full professionalism, again some good sound backing their performance and EXXPLORER really enjoyed their set while most of their fan base responded rather vividly. Still, I think that putting such a band - with a really complex songwriting exchanging calm and powerful parts, with enough of a 'prog' way of expressing themes - after some Thrashin' Metal (EXUMER) was a good excuse for some to back off and rest a little bit. This does not apply, of course, to the time that Run for Tomorrow was performed...well, this was a magic moment, with fists held high and more than 1,000 fans shouting ...run for tomorrow, don't turn your back, just run!

As assumed, EXXPLORER performed most of the Symphonies... tracklist, so none really would argue 'bout their setlist, which was - by the way - as follows:

EXXPLORER setlist:

01. City Streets
02. X-Termination
03. Guilty As Charged
04. Phantasmagoria
05. Bible Black
06. Metal Detectors
07. Exxplorer
08. Ride The Storm
09. Run For Tomorrow
10. Beg, Borrow And Steel

[Greg] My personal favorite in the fest's first day, TYRANT can get someone into tears if being a 'core' fan. The equivalent of 'honest/true' for Metal music made in USA, the Californian Metal myths appeared on stage with Warriors Of Metal and it was just some piece of magic to witness such an emotive performance. The whole band seemed rather moved by the crowd's acceptance and this was purely the driving force for their set. All three TYRANT albums are personal G-spots and I would only be left singing to the hearing of classic tunes like Battle Of Armageddon, Legions Of The Dead, Too Late To Pray and War, while simultaneously thinking what piece of crap is nowadays offered as Heavy Metal music to the masses...

The sound could be better, but do not imagine any major drawback. Glen May's singing was as if zero days had passed since the band's heyday, while I confirmed Rocky Rockwell's expertise in building up some non-complex yet highly spirited guitar leads_themes. When it comes to simple yet ample Heavy Metal, TYRANT's name stands high in the Metal chronicles and we feel rather lucky another dream came true that day.

TYRANT setlist:
01. Warriors Of Metal
02. Beyond The Grave
03. Listen To The Preacher
04. Battle Of Armageddon
05. Legions Of The Dead
06. Nazarine
07. Beginning Of The End
08. King Of Kings
09. Too Late To Pray
10. War

[Greg] Have me killed, but after a dozen of beers and with enough foot pain it was time for some rest and food. Yet, even in a passive mode, I can recall the power of Juan Garcia and Co. in their 60-minute set; I just couldn't follow this time (that's a good drawback in great fests, haha!). The sound was as needed, the band seemed to be in fine mood and - for those familiar to the US Speed Metal band's deeds - nothing could go wrong.

The whole Vicious Attack (1985) masterpiece was performed and - apart from some tracks of the The Only Safe Place follow-up - a take on EVILDEAD's Annihilation Of Civilization was applauded. ABATTOIR's Speed/Thrash/Heavy holocaust ending pair was a disaster: Screams From The Grave followed by a cover version of the Ace Of Spades classic left - I guess - only a minority unsatisfied; quite reasonable, in my opinion. The band's setlist was as follows, from what I can recall:

ABATTOIR setlist:
01. Bring On The Damned
02. Game Of Death
03. Don't Walk Alone
04. Vicious Attack
05. The Enemy
06. The Living And The Dead
07. Hammer Of The Gods
08. Under My Skin
09. Annihilation Of Civilization
10. Everybody Dies
11. Stronger Than Evil
12. Screams From The Grave
13. Ace Of Spades

[DimK] So, the time had come for the headliners of 'Keep It True' festival's first day. While the stage was getting ready to welcome Lizzy's performance we were discussing what would be the changes from the Athenian (GRE) show that we experienced in December of 2008. Quickly we realized that this discussion was just a joke; the Athenian show was hosted in a basement that left no space for LIZZY BORDEN's energetic show. Here things looked big; the stage, the lights and of course the massive sound that caught us totally off-guard when the US band kicked in with Abnormal.

Lizzy showed up wearing the black rob and proved after a couple of seconds who would be the boss in the first day of the festival. Give 'Em The Axe was next without pause and the trademark axe found his place on the frontman's hands. Once again, I have to underline the quality of the sound; the volume was high as it should in a Metal concert without any flaw taking the whole experience in a higher level. Lizzy had all the space to do his stuff along with two beautiful partners who were dancing besides him. The different outfits and utilities (club, axe, skeleton head etc) showed up on-stage enhancing to the maximum the live experience. Of course, blood was the main issue in There Will Be Blood Tonight where Lizzy took a bite for his female partner and then made his way to the front rows painting the fans' faces with the red liquid!
Lizzy left space for all the band members and so Marten Andersson did a solo with his eight-string bass, Dario Lorina and Chris Sanders did an impressive guitar duel after Master Of Disguise while Joey Scott rocked his drum kit followed by an 'interesting' fire dance by one of the female dancers.

The band did an impressive two hour setlist and left everyone more than happy having shared the vocal duties in songs like American Metal, Me Against The World, and Red Rum to just name a few. The enthusiasm was that high that LIZZY BORDEN did two encores leaving Long Live Rock And Roll to top off this flawless performance. I have said it before and I want to underline once more that LIZZY BORDEN is an underrated band that did not receive the attention it could.

Fortunately, the fans have given the band a second chance and as it shows Lizzy and co. will not leave it unexploited. Thank you once more LIZZY BORDEN!wed almost precisely. The METAL TEMPLE editors were totally exhausted but completely satisfied by the Metal festivities. The only bad thing in Germany is that everything closes before 24:00 hours so there is nowhere to blow some steam off or grab something greasy to eat apart from the fast food restaurant that we found with the help of a GPS (not that old school, I know...).

LIZZY BORDEN setlist:
01. Abnormal
02. Give 'Em The Axe
03. Notorious
04. Live Forever
05. Rod Of Iron
06. Be One Of Us
07. Outcast
08. Tomorrow Never Comes
09. Under Your Skin
10. Hell Is For Heroes
11. Master Of Disguise
12. Psychopath
13. We Only Come Out At Night
14. There Will Be Blood Tonight
15. American Metal
16. Me Against The World
17. Red Rum
Encore

18. We Got The Power
19. Something's Crawlin'
Encore

20. Long Live Rock And Roll

(photos by the photo machine gun Erika)

IN SOLITUDE

ATLANTEAN KODEX

ASKA

CLOVEN HOOF

RUTHLESS

EXUMER

EXXPLORER

TYRANT

ABATTOIR

LIZZY BORDEN