As the January is known for being a quiet and sleepy month regarding tours and concerts, bands already start crowding in February, willingly on the same day. It’s Roadrunner Records that fielded two of their leading bands: Dream Theater to play Düsseldorf and MASTODON playing in Cologne. I decided for latter ones, because I like MASTODON and never saw them live so far.

:: pics ::

Okay. Let’s head towards Cologne and their Essigfabrik. It’s icy cold outside but highways luckily neither packed nor slippery. And I drive with much anticipation and enthusiasm as first photos and live reviews promised a great show.

The location is surprisingly well filled, right from the beginning. I really was expecting that both shows would get into each other’s ways regarding the audience. Nope, they did not; as I learned later both shows have been very well attended. Anyway, it was surely great for Stoner rockers :: RED FANG :: who opened their set in front of a crowded location. Another one great band… that just created furor with the band’s brand new video for Hank Is Dead. Don’t miss watching that piece ;) That’s the song they opened with, plus another ones from the current record Murder In The Mountains and two from the band’s debut. RED FANG don’t have much lights but a good sound and rock as hell. Singer and 4-stringer Aaron Beam every so often speaks a bit German, what gains him extra points of sympathy. Audience is pretty much restrained and cool but gets into the music with every new song. After 45 minutes of playing time fans vehemently screamed “we want more”, a desire that unfortunately did not get considered. Too bad.
Setlist: Hank Is Dead, Throw Up, Malverde, Wires, Into The Eye, Sharks, Prehistoric Dog

A half hour break and a hot coffee later :: MASTODON :: kick off with Dry Bone Valley from their new record The Hunter. Lights and sound are… really poor for such great band. I’m really disappointed. I expected so much more. Though, I could clearly hear out stylistic differences between new and older material as well as changes between “new” and “old” fans of the band, which alternately got into mood. As The Hunter is very… tame, songs from this record got played live much heavier and gruffer and outweighed. The drumming of Brann Dailor is beyond everything, watching him with an open mouth, and besides, he also sings, not to forget to mention. Awesome! Meanwhile bass player Troy Sanders is going wild too, Kelliher at least moves every now and then, while Hinds seems to be nailed behind his micro. However, despite of some audible and visual shortcomings I have to state that MASTODON is truly a force. An outstandingly great band I definitely wanna see again!
Setlist: Dry Bone Valley, Black Tongue, Crystal Skull, I Am Ahab, Capillarian Crest, Colony Of Birchmen, Megalodon, Thickening, Blasteroid, Sleeping Giant, Ghost Of Karelia, All The Heavy Lifting, Spectrelight, Curl Of The Burl, Bedazzled Fingernails, Circle Of Cysquatch, Aqua Dementia, Crack The Skye, Where Strides The Behemoth, Iron Tusk, March Of The Fire Ants, Blood And Thunder // Creature Lives

story & pics © Dajana