What a lineup I say! Three quite different bands but three real favorites of mine and the question was, just HOW awesome could that be? ANGEL WITCH kicked off their set with Gorgon and damn, I knew people were excited to see ANGELWITCH but I never expected them to be the highlight of the evening for the main part of the crowd.

I must say this is a very successful reunion. Sure, it can be discussed what is ok when it comes to the lack of original members and so on, but if a band sounds like ANGEL WITCH did and delivered a set in a way the early 80's sweaty East End bars could be felt right through it all. The energy was there, the attitude and that's what it was all about. I'm surely there is no one to complain when a reunited band delivers something like this. No one should be able to do that and to judge from the crowd's response, no one did. Ok, Kevin Heybourne has modified the vocal lines a bit, cut out the really high pitched notes but since it all was sung flawlessly a thing like that doesn't really matter. And for the most obvious parts Kevin was drowned by the crowd's scream-along the anyway. Also, it's not very common that the openers or all three bands really, have the same amount of time to play on. Normally, the openers have their 30 minutes. ANGEL WITCH entertained for 55 but it absolutely didn't feel like a long set. In Stockholm Bruce Franklin showed up on stage on "Dr Phibes" and "Angel Of Death", his guitar playing was amazing but very different from the NWOBHM-style so, the sound changed quite drastic. Still, features like that are always welcome. As a closer of the set, the song named as the band and their classic debut, ANGEL WITCH boosted the crowd even more and why shouldn't it? It's a great song!

01. "Gorgon"
02. "Confused"
03. "Sweet Danger"
04. "Sorcerers"
05. "White Witch"
06. "Atlantis"
07. "The Night Is Calling"
08. "Dr Phibes"
09. "Angel Of Death"
10. "Baphomet"
11. "Angel Witch"

What would TROUBLE be without Eric Wagner then? It sure is a hard one to melt. But Kory Clarke is very special too, and to look at it that way this could work, couldn't it? Malmo compared to Stockholm was really miles apart for TROUBLE. The sound in Malmo wasn't at their benefit at all. The vocals were very far in the back and when Kory came through it was mainly the really forced bleating sounds he can do sometimes. What I didn't get though were the comments about him being too commercial. Sure, in the bunch he's absolutely the pretty boy but the anger WARRIOR SOUL delivered (who really was one of my absolutely favorites two decades ago) it's hard to take in the Shampoo-comments.

WARRIOR SOUL was in no way a neat and pretty band. Well, Kory's way of dressing and moving on stage really stood out compared to the rest of the musicians and the crowd too for that sake. What was so much better in Stockholm then? Well, everything. TROUBLE had a complete different energy and the sound was perfect for them, the powerful Tube-amp old-school sound which you only can get out of a Marshall combined with a Gibson. The guitar-magic between Rick Wartell and Bruce Franklin was there and only a few other bands in the world can be compete with this, especially when they're on fire. The set felt very short and if they'll keep delivering like this it shouldn't be a problem for TROUBLE to have a life after Eric. Kory didn't sound as forced and I suppose the trendy capital of Sweden wasn't as bummed out about his appearance. It's still not such a big surprise that ANGEL WITCH and CANDLEMASS had the biggest crowds though. In these times of reunion bands like ANGEL WITCH has it easy, everyone is eager to find out if they still can rock while bands like TROUBLE, who's been lurking in the shadows all the time isn't as hot a topic as ANGEL WITCH. Still, I think it's a shame that it's so hard to get the TROUBLE albums, they are all great and definitely worth listening to.

01. "Ride The Sky"
02. "The Sleeper"
03. "The Eye"
04. "Assassin"
05. "Come Touch The Sky"
06. "Endtime"
07. "Trouble Maker"
08. "Hunters Of Doom"
09. "At The End Of My Daze"
10. "The Tempter"
11. "All Is Forgiven"

Encore:
12. "R.I.P"

I don't think I ever had it that the three bands on the bill had equally long time to play. For ANGEL WITCH 55 minutes sure was enough, don't get me wrong they were awesome both nights but with a quite limited catalogue and first band on the bill almost an hour is a lot of time. TROUBLE left a little more to wish for, especially in Stockholm. I absolutely wouldn't have minded a full set from them but come on, less than an hour of CANDLEMASS, that's barely enough as an appetizer. Frankly, in my opinion CANDLEMASS have never been better than they are today. Rob Lowe is an amazing singer and now, when he dares to take charge over the stage, in his own way the memories of Messiah fades fast. Also, "Death Magic Doom" is doubtless one of this year's best releases and I was really looking forward to see these songs live. Then that they've dug up "Tears" from "Tales Of Creation", one of my all time favorite CANDLEMASS songs was just awesome. It's always nice when bands serve surprises like that. And the energy CANDLEMASS forces off stage, it is very few bands in this long country that can match that. The only thing to complain about is that Lars (guitar) completely disappears on his edge of the stage. Rob is captivating with his manic stare and delicate crisp voice and Leif and Mappe do everything to steal attention from him. Lars on the other hand lurks in the shadows. On the other hand, it would absolutely be noticeable if he stopped playing and I guess that's what really counts. The thing that really struck me is the confidence Rob has built, his voice has always been great but he hasn't performed with such conviction as now. CANDLEMASS is a perfect example that the classic line up isn't always the best. Of course, that has some to do with taste also but to me "Death Magic Doom" together with "King Of Grey Island" are two extremely strong releases, maybe even the best they've done and I can't wait to get another doze of these Doomsters. Just as I said, less than an hour was far from satisfactory.

01. "Emperor Of The Void"
02. "Mirror Mirror"
03. "Samarithan"
04. "If I Ever Die"
05. "Hammer Of Doom"
06. "At the Gallows End"
07. "Tears"
08. "Bleeding Baroness"

Encore:
09. "Demon Of The Deep"
10. "Solitude"

(photos by Hammer of Doom Erika)