3 Inches Of Blood - Goatwhore - Angelus Apatrida

What a great show to top a week full of concerts off. First we had the Rock In Den Ruinen Festival last Saturday, then the mighty Judas Priest on Monday and now this exceedingly interesting tour package.
Thereby it was not entirely clear to me who would fill the headliner position on this evening: the heavy metal brothers 3 INCHES OF BLOOD or well-established GOATWHORE, which actually range in different musical fields. Latter one did not really seem to fit the package as they play an own brand of death and black metal. Consequentially the big party came last ;)

But to start with :: HAVOK :: came first and I was especially looking forward to see these guys finally playing live as they are one of my absolute faves of newer Thrash Metal bands these days. Denver based maniacs kicked off the evening in front of around 220 fans and started with full force. One could downright see how keen the band was to play their very first European show here and now. And so they did brimming with fire and energy. No wonder it took just a twinkling of an eye till the crowd was caught. Have not seen such great response to band that started an evening consisting to such awesome tour package. During the interview we did with HAVOK for their first CD Burn David Sanchez told us that we could expect a killer show. He and his mates lived up to his promise. HAVOK were in full action on stage, moving and head-banging, closing their part with the crushingly brutal Afterburner. Damn, only 6 songs. This show was way too short!

:: ANGELUS APATRIDA :: right after needed 2, 3 songs to get on the same energetic level. At first it seemed that the Spanish gents wanted to take it easier (or were even intimidated?), but then gained power and thus likewise the crowd’s attention. Interestingly I liked the songs live even more than on CD, as they tend to sound a bit scatty on CD. Live however ANGELUS APATRIDA sounded much more compact and to the point, definitely leaving an impact and generally a positive impression, although the sound was now worse than during Havok. As for their stage performance ANGELUS APATRIDA could not match Havok and again, only 7 tracks and a show that found its end way too early. At least my favorite song National Disgrace they could have played…

Next up is :: GOATWHORE :: and they had to face a location emptying out. Seems like the audience was in the mood for Thrash and Power Metal only, or for big party instead of a pitch black Armageddon respectively. Besides, GOATWHORE had to struggle to a bad sound most, which was too loud and overdriven, delivering only an aural mush. But tables got turned. With every new song more people came in again filling the venue. Musicianship and quality never fails ;) GOATWHORE have strong songs of crushing brutality next to diversified riffing and arrangements. Most of all it is fronter L. Ben Falgoust II with a nasty organ and a charismatic stage presence. Added by a tight rhythm section GOATWHORE made it at the end (better said eked out) a well-deserved success. Only sold thongs I found… off-key.

Finally :: 3 INCHES OF BLOOD :: I was more than curious. Strictly speaking I just discovered them more or less a year ago and appreciate them since then. I guess their strong new album Long Live Heavy Metal (yesssss!!!) might have had its impact… Over the last years Canadian metallers gained much popularity, what might be due to the current return of traditional metal with guts. It got packed in front of stage as band and fans were in to have a blast. It did not need much effort yet the band was playing their asses off. Grandiose tracks such as Metal Woman, Trial Of Champions (finally without that stupid Hammond organ in the refrain), Deadly Sinner, Die For Gold, Battles And Brotherhood and the new band hymn Leather Lord with much twin guitar power made it perfect. Ok, at points we could not refrain from laughing because of all the clichés that got served. Luckily 3 INCHES OF BLOOD don’t take themselves too serious too but kept focused on their music it was much alright.
New 4-stringer Byron Stroud wasn’t yet 100% integrated but professional enough that it did not has any effect on the show or performance. Only Cam’s voice I’m worried about. To be honest I cannot imagine that he can keep this level on the entire tour.

However, as time flies the show is over without any encores, not even the headliner was allowed to play one, although full-throated demanded. Odd…
To sum it up: yes, we had a lot of fun and truly enjoyed all bands. 19 Euros was a fair price. I understand that there is not enough time (especially on a weekend with a disco to follow) to give enough room to all bands to present themselves adequately, insofar there is nothing to nag about.
Just a side note to the sound man: loudness does not mean a transparent sound! That was the only bummer this evening.