This was supposed to be a Hard & Heavy party, but not enough of a crowd was there. A risk would it be, to gather such 'unfamiliar' acts to compile the billing for this 'nude' October evening. Hence, not more than 350-400 people did honor one of the most 'classic' German melodic Hard Rock acts - Bonfire - plus a highly respected (Europe-wide) Power Metal band - Mystic Prophecy. Apart from this fact, this gig could be described as a real 'goodie'. In detail:
(Grigoris): Greek Epic metallers Battleroar were the first to hit the stage, in front of a rather 'vivid' crowd. Supported by a mediocre sound, the quintet delivered music from its entire discography, while they all seemed to enjoy 100% of their setlist. Their style - owning a lot to the archetypal likes of 'cult' 80s bands like Omen, Mannila Road and Brocas Helm - is currently 'enhanced' by an added violinist in some tracks, whilst Sworbrothers, Victorious Path and Mourning Sword were the highlights from a band that has worked their asses off to support their 'epic' goal! A warm applause did act as a kinda gratification as the warriors left the stage.
(Yiannis D.): Innerwish are back stronger than ever! They were the second band to hit the stage and they were in a great mood due to their absence from the stage for a long time. Armed with a brand new album, they performed many of their new songs like Travellers In Time, Bleeding Soul, Eye Of The Storm, Feel The Magic and Gates Of Fire. The loyal fans of the band were also rewarded with classic old songs from their first album Waiting For The Dawn (1996). Songs like Spacerunner and Ready For Attack reminded us that Heavy Metal is still alive! The only thing that confused me a bit, was that they played only one song from their previous album, Silent Faces (2004). This song could be no other than Silent Faces, the hit of this album! Why do they have to play this song? Can't they see I am still in severe pain from the headbanging?
(Yiannis D.): Oh yeah, it's fucking time! Here they are! They are fucking ready to rock this place! Mystic Prophecy are on stage to smash our fucking heads! These were the first words that came out of my mouth when I saw the Power Metal giants grabbing their instruments! Liapakis was glad to visit his home country and this was more than obvious on stage! Even though the sound was a bit fucked up, the German_Greek Power Metallers didn't give a fuck about it! They were there to rock and nothing could stop them! Playing live to promote their brand new masterpiece Savage Souls, Mystic Prophecy played many of their new songs. Hymns like Shadow Beyond My Soul, Master Of Sins, Evil Empires, Deception Of Hate, Savage Souls, In The Darkness and Nightmares Of Demons teared the place apart! We were all left staring and trying to believe if what we were seeing was true! The setlist also contained older songs, too. Mystic Prophecy just couldn't do anything else but play classic songs like Dust Of Evil, Forgotten Soul, The Sign Of The Cross, Lords Of Pain, the incredible Mystic Prophecy and Burning Bridges. Their surprise towards the audience was the cover of Manowar's Fighting The World. In my humble opinion, they played it a lot better than the kings of metal did. Plenty of beer and headbanging until the headliners hit the stage. Let's see if Bonfire will continue in the same way the other three bands did, in the way of pure fucking Metal!
(Grigoris): Memories are so strong from the excellent Bonfire appearance in Thessaloniki, Greece two years ago. High energy, a marvelous setlist and a real Hard Rock party for all of us that were present then. Still, I was curious enough to see how many tunes the quintet would perform off their latest Double X nice release. It was a long enough break that made the audience falling a little bit asleep, but then the lights went dim and here they were! Day 911 (you figure out the meaning, you can) did set the club on fire, even if the place was half-empty after many of the previous bands' followers had already left. Anyway, moving on to another new cut - But We Still Rock - it was obvious that a less-than-fine sound would not be much of an obstacle for Claus Lessmann and Co. in order to do what they still have the balls to. Classics like Never Mind, Hot To Rock_Don't Touch The Light, Tony's Roulette (Oh-My-God! ), Sweet Obsession, Hard On Me, Ready 4 Reaction, SDI, American Nights and Bang Down The Door did finely 'work out' with the band's late tunes like Under Blue Skies, Proud Of My Country and Blink Of An Eye. The 'classic ballads' part - Give It A Try and You Make Me Feel - was as shivering as expected and (in terms of setlist) noone would complain even if no major changes did I observe in regards to the 2005 gig. All players were excellent, Claus' voice is still ass-kicking and - after more than an hour and a half - much sweat was the remains of a more-than-good performance by a 'trustworthy' entertaining Hard Rock band. Well done, even if there were no 'new' news for someone having already seen them in 2004.
If it wasn't for the average - once again, in general - sound and the 'pale' turnout, the smile would be wider. Anyway, as far as music goes this 'weird' billing shoulda please whoever grabbed the chance to spent a 'live' Sunday evening.
