[Öko] I was much looking forward to see ::: VULTURE :: opening the ROCK HARD FESTIVAL 2019. I like their debut record The Guillotine. The new one, Ghastly Waves & Battered Graves, I of course was not familiar with, as it was released on this day. So one can say, the band played a release show on this afternoon. And VULTURE kicked off with full force, offering us their brand of Speed Metal, much in the veins of old Exciter. Great show. Only singer L. Steeler had some voice problems when not screaming. And, for my taste, the stage-acting for such high-energetic genre as Speed Metal is, was a bit lame.
[Psycho] I don’t know why everybody is referring to Exciter. VULTURE are by far not as dull and their leads/hooks are noticeably more melodious, as the new album proves I was listening to this morning. It is always a difficult task to open a festival, but yes, a bit more pep would not have done any harm.
[BRT] Filed under “advanced praise #1”: VULTURE started with full force and surely did not want to make any prisoners. That worked excellent for the first 25 minutes, then uniformity crept in. There is still some space for better songwriting. Speed was great but needed to be more varied. And the singer got noticeably problems to keep up the high level of power and energy. Yes, I see a future for them – I gonna check them out again at Detze Open Air.
Setlist: Intro, Vulture, Ghastly Waves & Battered Graves, Murderous Militia, Delivered To Die, Victim To The Blade, Beyond The Blade, Cry For Death
[Öko] The stage-acting of Vulture might have been a bit lame but was still there. The four guys of :: CHAPEL OF DISEASE :: however stood like nailed. In my opinion, their new album, ...And As We Have Seen The Storm, We Have Embraced The Eye, was the most over-hyped record in 2018. Live again the songs really convinced. When CHAPEL OF DISEASE now manage to combine their good songs with a likewise good stage performance, then I would be pleased to see them again on tour with Sulphur Aeon.
[Dajana] What? Didn’t you something like boring sissies? As great as their music is on CD as boring they were on stage at RHF. Luckily it was a windy day, so at least the hair got some movement…
[Psycho] To be honest, I think their latest record was rather boring. I agree, live the tracks work much better. That the band did not feel well on such a big stage we noticed as the band completely ignored the right side of the stage. The band’s only movement was to enter and to leave the stage. Musically surely the highlight of the day yet and ambivalent performance. Now try to make this too.
[BRT] Filed under “advanced praise #2”: The band’s new album did not catch me either. To use Hard Rock elements in Death Metal is not always a good idea. CHAPEL OF DISEASE have noticeably developed but forgotten that variations and dynamics in the voice might help (just saying). Singing falls off so much that it is a pity. Actually, it was the first concert of CHAPEL OF DISEASE with new material where I could at least do a little bit with the songs. But yes, their “old gentlemen” performance was extremely lame. Old geezers such as Status Quo have way more sexy hip swing…
Setlist: Void Of Words, Oblivious - Obnoxious - Defiant, The Dreaming Of The Flame, Null, Song Of The Gods
[Öko] To feature a Punk band on a Metal festival is always a difficult thing. It might work but mostly it does not. Next up were :: THE IDIOTS ::, one of Germany’s oldest Punk bands, and the bigger part of the crowd did not give a shit about them and went out for food and shopping. I was not thrilled either and spent my time discussing with the guys next to me to explain why THE IDIOTS were never successful, despite their long-running history (founded back in 1978 and 2012, disbanded in 1989 and 1992). But I highly recommend to visit singer Sir Hannes Schmidts in his Idiots Records shop in Dortmund. And no, he does not sell Punk records only.
[Psycho] Perhaps the Rock Hard staff gets now discount there… This show was expendable. And the bigger part auf the rather sparse audience shared the same thought. What came by a surprise was the fact to see Waldemar Sorychta on second guitar. But he had no chance to show his skills.
[BRT] Yes, Punk can cater for variety on a Metal festival, as well as Hammond organs can do (No, never! – Psycho), aspects our grumpy-fraction will never understand. THE IDIOTS around Sir Hannes were funny and entertaining, the lyrics on the edge to be ashamed though. Musically not really my cup of tea. And, what the hell was Waldemar doing there?
[Dajana] (Singing a rough translation of Fleischwolf) “I’m a meat grinder, I’m a meatball face… lalala la la“ ;)
Setlist: Bastard, Dead Heroes, Liar, Plastic, Punk Rock Queen, Gotteskrieger, Selbstmord, Fleischwolf, Heavy Metal Psycho Punk, Der S04 und der BVB, Maniac, Kill Him, Now I Wanna Be Your Dog
[Öko] :: TYGERS OF PAN TANG :: brought along the rain from their isle, causing some hectic action. Umbrellas, jackets and ponchos were put out and beer saved. What happened on stage was a professional show of Robb Weir and his men. Excellently played and well-sung. That TYGERS OF PAN TANG also have plenty of great songs does not need to be mentioned
[Psycho] You do not need to know all heroes of NWOBHM. I’m not familiar with the TYGERS material and their croony beginning scared the hell out of me. But the guys knew how to boost themselves and delivered a good show, yet without memorable highlights.
[BRT] The history of the TYGERS OF PAN TANG is a changeful one, which reflects in the song material. There have been crusher from the NWOBHM era such as Hellbound and Gangland but also cheesy stuff from times, where such old bands peered over the pond to the United States of A. The older tracks gained much more response but also newer material can keep up with every Swedish whippersnapper band. Singing top. Great sound. What more you want?
Setlist: Only The Brave, Love Don't Stay, Lonely At The Top, Gangland, Euthanasia, Take It, Keeping Me Alive, Glad Rags, Don't Stop By, Devil You Know, Suzie Smiled, Hellbound, Don't Touch Me There
[Öko] Now it was time for the masquerade of :: LIZZY BORDEN ::. The masks of Lizzy looked great and his men displayed some great musicianship. That is all good I can say. Didn’t they want to play Power Metal? Anyway, LIZZY BORDEN managed to detract any power in their songs. Sounded like Sabaton and a chatting-up to the mainstream. Therefore I was not sad to start our way back home, if a certain photographer could finally break away… Admittedly, the show had visually a lot offer.
[Dajana] Oh yes. The man with the 1000 masks. Great to watch. Great to photograph :)
[Psycho] The music was presented top-notch, as there was an excellent live crew with Jack Frost and Ira Black on guitars. If the selection of songs was that good is a matter of taste. I really missed Give ‘Em The Axe. But LIZZY BORDEN is surely far away from a band such as Sabaton.
[BRT] I actually do not know a thing or two about LIZZY BORDEN, even if I have two full-lengths in my collection collecting dust. I have not heard them for ages. And yes, LIZZY BORDEN does not have anything to do with US-Metal or Power Metal. They never had. They play melodic Metal with tendencies towards Hard Rock and Glam Rock. Apart from the great costumes, LIZZY BORDEN was by far the winner of the day. Technically perfectly played, the sound was great too and show varied - a convincing performance.
What? Sabaton? They could not be farer away from them…
Setlist: Intro, Midnight Things, Abnormal, Tomorrow Never Comes, Obsessed With You, Love Kills, Roll Over And Play Dead, Eyes Of A Stranger, Notorious, Master Of Disguise, Under Your Skin, There Will Be Blood Tonight, American Metal, Long May They Haunt Us, Me Against The World, Red Rum
[Dajana] Here our first festival day ended, as we do not feature WATAIN anymore. |
