Kataklysm - Death Angel - Keep Of Kalessin

Still totally wiped out from Devilside Festival and three morning shifts later I found myself back at my second home called Turock ;) I couldn’t resist the call of the best live band ever: DEATH ANGEL ;) Whenever they strike up I try everything to make it to their show. Side dishes are KATAKLYSM and KEEP OF KALESSIN, but definitely nothing to be sneezed at ;)

It’s summerlike hot and we (me and Claudia) start early towards Essen, because it’s planned that I assist Axel Jusseit in his photo session with DEATH ANGEL. Since things always turn out differently we have time to settle at Turock’s beer garden for a cold brewski ;)

:: pics ::

It is planned to do a double shooting – before and after the show – so we build up the equipment, while :: KEEP OF KALESSIN :: enter the stage to heat up the hot atmosphere. Thanks to Claudia, who fills in here :)
[Claudia] Tonight’s show event got introduced by Norwegian black metallers KEEP OF KALESSIN. It wasn’t much of a difficult task to convince the audience musically as well with their energetic live performance. The band’s atmospheric Black Metal was well received by the crowd. Generally speaking this tour-package is much varied, seeing a Black Metal band, a Death Metal band and a Thrash Metal band sharing stage.

8.30pm – and actually it’s about time for :: DEATH ANGEL :: to show up at our prepared “location”, till they have to jump onto stage at 9pm. Well… clock strikes 8.55pm when they really show up and the shooting turns out to be a supersonic speed experience *laughs* With the same speed we put all the stuff into the tourbus and join the crowd in front of the stage. *BANG* The venue is crowded and it is incredibly hot and humid. Condensation water is running down from all surfaces and my cam gets immediately fogged. Luckily there is a fan in reach I can hold my cam above to get a clear sight again… erm… clear pics. Meanwhile DEATH ANGEL let off steam on stage introducing their new bass player Sammy and new drummer Will. The crowd is on fire, almost freaking out completely and Mark Osegueda gives everything on stage. It’s unbelievable how intense this band is, how much they can enthuse and thrill their fans, always and always again. I’m blown, the rest is too, forging towards the stage to get as close as possible rubbing shoulders with the guys and against sweaty headbangers. Only two songs get played from their current album Killing Season. As more as they go back in their history, as more songs they play ;) Means, The Ultra-Violence shines with five tracks! Fucking cool! ;)
DEATH ANGEL finish after their encore and we rushed off for the second shooting part. The sunny boys are fucked up and soaking but way more relaxed now, spend much more time and fool around pulling faces for Axel’s cam. Hehehehe.
Setlist: Guilty Of Innocence, Evil Priest, Buried Alive, Voracious Souls, Falling Asleep, Road Mutants, Seemingly Endless Time, Stop, Thrown To The Wolves // Lord Of Hate, The Ultra-Violence/I.P.F.S., Kill As One

I shift from one foot to the other and Axel releases me to get in for :: KATAKLYSM :: who already entered the stage. Heat and humidity is like a punch in the face and I play the same game with my cam. KATAKLYSM pick up where Death Angel left the crowd of and even topped it. Hardly to believe since Death Angel is the better live band but KATAKLYSM are sparkling with energy, truly celebrating Death Metal while fans give everything in response. Woah!
Setlist: To Reign Again, As I Slither, Prevail, Where The Enemy Sleeps, The Chains Of Power, Serenity In Fire, The Resurrected, Manipulator Of Soul, Crippled & Broken, In Shadows & Dust // Taking The World, Like Angels Weeping

Upshot: This was truly a bloody hot night! I now have time to down water, coke and beer by the gallon. Those who are not in a hurry make themselves comfortable in the beer garden. Also the bands join in having some fun ;)