I can’t help doing it (and I will again and again) ;) I’m an addicted one when it comes to :: CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX :: After they delivered the second best show in 2011, I of course had to take the next best chance to enter the front row again to cheer and to adore the Brits.

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In last November CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX already played two brand new songs. Now, (Mankind) A Crafty Ape got released and the band once again embarked on an extensive trip to take Europe by storm. I chose the show at • Zentrum Altenberg • in Oberhausen, Germany and kept the show in Muenster next day as another option open ;)

This tour has to be a special one. It’s not only that CBP present another masterpiece live, much more it is the fact that CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX present a new singer on this tour, following the departure of Joe Volk right after the recording sessions to (Mankind) A Crafty Ape. Every fan of the band was of course much curious how the new one would step into his shoes. In fact I think fans will sorely miss Joe Volk for now. His shoes are still a bit too large for the “new one”. He is lacking of charisma and stage presence, and volume in his voice. But hey, let’s give him a chance. I’m sure he will be a new man after this tour ;) Also Daisy Chapman parted ways with the band. To her Greaves devoted the song When You’re Gone. Stepping in is keyboarder Miriam Wolf who impressively performed Of A Lifetime. As the crowd was fairly restrained, now they got enthused. And from now on there was interplay between band and audience spiraling up energy and good vibes. There was a guy anywhere in the background always screaming something between the songs. It made us laugh and started some banter, although hardly anybody understood what he actually said. Funny evening, sort of ;)

CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX is an incredibly great, unique and amazing band. That isn’t new. It is such kind of a band you have to discover yourself. No one else can tell you more about them as your inner voice when listening and watching them performing live. And they tour without any support band, playing 2.5 hrs instead. Every night of this two months running tour. My respect for this effort! Of course tonight’s show was once again a true highlight but, to be honest, it did not match the show last November. But that’s not really important and it of course didn’t narrow the pleasure any bit. I just hope that I once again can catch them this year. Thank guys for this great evening!

Setlist: Troublemaker, Fantastic Justice, The Heart Of Every Country, Get Down And Live With It, When You’re Gone, A Letter Concerning Dogheads, The Brain/Poznan, Of A Lifetime, Laying Traps, Born In A Hurricane, Release The Clowns, A Suggestion (Not Very Nice One), 444, Whissendine, We Forgotten Who We Are, Rise Up And Fight, Burnt Reynolds, Burnt Surprise// Bella Ciao, Born For Nothing/Paranoid Arm

story & pics © Dajana