VALIENT THORR must be one of the world's most bearded bands, It seems that ZZ-TOP have some real competition here. Unfortunately, I missed most of their show. I only managed to see the last three songs of these Garage Rockers. It sounded like a mixture of RAMONES and SODOM, full of speed and attitude. Sometimes bands sound like they're playing 5 different songs but VAILENT THORR looked like they're playing 5 different concerts. It was absolute chaos on stage and it was absolutely great to watch.

I know for a fact that DEATH ANGEL will kill most every competition on the stage when they're on the bill. There was no exception this time and they gave full speed from start to finish. I wouldn't be at all surprised if DEATH ANGEL makes it to the really big league now. They have just enough of Old-School Thrash left to sell out with a modern the sound, very groovy that will absolutely appeal to people more into bands like SLIPKNOT, KORN and TRIVIUM. Besides that, they look absolutely cool all the time. This proves that a band's image and good action on stage boosts the whole experience.
I like the new material from Art Of Dying and Killing Season more live than on record; it feels more alive and intense and it suites the stage a lot better than the studio. And when a band outdoes them selves live compared to record that's absolutely impressive and shows how damn good they are. No studio-tricks to cover up flaws and lack of musicianship, just pure power.

The only bad thing that night was that it was not enough power in the sound and the guitars were burried in the whole picture and the energy DEATH ANGEL got a little bit lost.

For sure there was a little for everyone that evening, from Bay Area Thrash to Boogie Woogie. Again, simple Aussie Rock isn't my cup of tea but Angry Anderson and his bunch brought out a nice groove and got the hall moving. I didn't know anything about ROSE TATTOO and I doubt that it will make me buy their records. The first half hour was really good but it felt like the same thing over and over again after a while and it eventually getting boring. This is the kind of music that fits perfect to some really tight and sweaty Motorcycle Club. Ok, RÏŒgerholz was extremely hot but it wasn't intimate enough to get me started. I still admire bands like this, with 32 years in the business that still manage to keep the spirit alive and go out there to enjoy because there's really good energy on stage. If Simple Aussie Rock had been my cup of tea this would have been awesome, doubtless.

If you want to live, don't throw a beer up on stage during a MOTORHEAD gig. Lemmy didn't like that and stopped playing just a few seconds during the first song when the liquid come flying through the air. Getting back on and after finishing Dr Rock he encouraged people to kill the next person who gave beer-throwing a chance. Of course, that's nothing you should need to take when playing but I think it was a little too strong reaction anyway.
MOTORHEAD is always MOTORHEAD and it's always good but this was the first time I wasn't elated after the concert. Maybe DEATH ANGEL killed the competition earlier or is Lemmy and Co getting tired? Or was it just me? The venue was extremely hot and I was soaking wet of sweat before they even started playing. Might be the last suggestion because a lot of people had a really good time and showed off moves that would make John Travolta green of envy. Yes folks, there was a lot of dancing at this MOTORHEAD concert!

The cool thing was they've actually changed a bit in the set since last time, ok not that much,and we still got Metropolis, Killed By Death and Going to Brazil. The drum solo was moved from Sacrifice (witch they didn't play at all) to In The Name Of Tragedy that also was dedicated to William Shakespeare. Mikkey Dee showed off with a new solo, really nice one. Speedy and just enough of it! Rosalie (The old THIN LIZZY classic) was dedicated to Phil Lynott. Also the grand finale was changed. No Overkill at all, instead they ended with Ace Of Spades. If that was the plan or not I don't know but MOTORHEAD exited the stage after 65 minutes, and that's a little short for a headline gig. I think it was good that they change their set but I still would love to see some more odd old and new material in there. MOTORHEAD are still louder than anyone else but the sound-guy should really learn to get a good sound before he hits on the volume. The sound was extremely sharp and shrill and had no real power. And that's not MOTORHEAD's fault so I blame my lack of enthusiasm for this event both on the heat and the sound.

(photos by the 'Ace Of Spades' Erika)

DEATH ANGEL

ROSE TATTOO

MOTORHEAD